Goals : Specific, Attainable and Measurable

'You gotta have goals.' Have you ever heard that from a parent, teacher or other
influence in your life? Many of us grow up knowing we should set goals, but few
of us are actually taught an effective way to set and achieve our goals. If only
our grade schools and high schools taught goal achievement, imagine the advantage
today's children would gain as they grow into adulthood! The future could truly
be amazing.

Whether you've never formally outlined your goals or you're a seasoned
goal-getter, this chapter offers you the required nuts and bolts for successful
goal achievement.

There are three basic principles to setting goals: S.A.M.
Goals should be Specific, Attainable, and Measurable.

What Do You Want? Be Specific

First and foremost, effective goals are specific. Vague generalizations may
eventually come to pass, but you will inevitably get better, faster results by
specifically defining and articulating what you want. This also assures that you
get exactly what you want, and not just a 'reasonable facsimile.'

Do not be specific in how your goal will come to pass, only in exactly what is
your desired result.

For example, let's say your goal is to buy a new car. Not very specific, is it?
Your heart's desire may be a fully loaded 2006 Corvette Convertible in Daytona
Sunset Orange. If your goal was stated as 'buy a new car' and you bought a new
Dodge Neon for your teenage son, don't blame the Universe. Technically, you
achieved your stated goal (you bought a new car), but because you weren't
specific, you didn't get the result you really wanted (the 2006 Corvette). To get
what you want, you've got to know what you want and be specific when asking for
it.

When you were little, did you ask your mom for 'food' if you really wanted a
cookie? Heck no! If you wanted a cookie, you asked for a cookie. Otherwise you
might have gotten broccoli or cabbage instead. If you were really smart, you
asked for a chocolate chip cookie, or a peanut butter cookie, or whatever
specific kind of cookie you wanted.

In other words, a better way to state your goal would be to 'own a fully loaded
2006 Corvette Convertible in Daytona Sunset Orange, by January 2006.'

Notice my use of the word own as opposed to the word buy. Owning the car itself
is what you care about, not how you get the car, correct? This is what I mean
when I say not to be to rigid or specific on the how part. In other words, you
don't care how you get the car – whether you win it in a contest, inherit the
exact amount of money it would take to purchase the car, receive a lavish gift
from a friend, or buy it on credit. Don't be too tied to how the goal becomes
reality.

I often talk to people who are afraid to state their goals because they assume
they will never have the time to go after what they want, or the money to
purchase what they want. Because of this, they don't even bother making it a
goal. By removing the limitations on 'how' the goal will come to pass, you are
free to state your true desire.

To effectively achieve your goal, be specific and do not concern yourself with
the HOW, only the WHAT and the WHY.

Whatever the reason, just be aware of your intent and get in touch with the way
you will feel when you have what you want. This element charges your goal with
electrified energy and can manifest it more quickly.