How many times have you set a goal, felt excited, started some action, and then dropped it when it became too tough to follow through, or you got sidetracked? What about the other goals that you actually accomplished? What was the difference that made you follow through on one goal, but not the other?

Sometimes it is because the goal you achieved is compelling and the one you didn¡¦t is not. For instance, which goal sounds more attractive in the following example? ¡§I hate the way I look; I need to lose 20 pounds.¡¨ Or, ¡§I can see myself in five months at my high school reunion - slim, healthy, and full of energy!¡¨

When your mind hears goals with a negative framework like ¡§I¡¦ve got to get out of debt¡¨, your subconscious only hears the word ¡§debt¡¨ and steers you in that negative direction. We all know that what we focus on grows, and focusing on the word ¡§debt¡¨ will keep you focused on never having enough money. If you were to change the same goal into a powerful positive image, it might be: ¡§Money flows to me effortlessly and I have a large savings account.¡¨ Or even better: ¡§I have the home of my dreams, completely paid off, and I vacation in Tahiti for a month each year.¡¨

We all know the saying that goals need to be S.M.A.R.T.. That is, Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-sensitive. I would go another step further and add that they must also be compelling. The goal must strongly connect with you on an emotional level.

I¡¦ll give you an example from my own life. I had always owned a sports car, but had to trade mine in for a more practical sedan after I had back surgery. My goal was two-fold ¡V I wanted to be able to physically get in a sports car, which meant healing my back, and I wanted a car that (naturally) just happened to be more expensive than my last one, which meant earning more money. Here is the compelling goal I set: I visualized myself easily bending down to slide in a forest-green Mitsubishi 3000 GT, turning on the purring engine, listening to the great stereo system, smelling the tan leather seats, and then taking off and driving down a winding road around the lake. I could feel, hear, smell, and almost taste the experience! That¡¦s a compelling goal, at least for me, yours may (will) be totally different.

I set a time line of one year and made a plan. When the physical therapy got painful, I thought of my vision. When I just didn¡¦t want to make one more call, I pictured that car. Actually I carried a picture of the car with me in my purse, and less than a year later I purchased the car and took that drive!

Author and motivator Tony Robbins is a big proponent of posting pictures of your goals all over your house and office, and he advocates rehearsing and emotionally enjoying the experience of achieving each one of your valued goals at least twice a day. If you are striving for President¡¦s Club, rehearse seeing yourself standing up on the podium to receive the award. If you want to buy a new house, find pictures of houses you love and tape them up where you will see them. You may have multiple goals that you paste on poster board for a ¡§dream chart¡¨.

This absolute focus on what you want (not on what you don¡¦t want) will propel you into action. Your mind will filter out distractions that will not get bring you any closer to your goals. Another benefit of compelling goals is that it is easier to handle disappointments or set backs when your goals are irresistible. When you understand that set backs are only part of the process, you can actually see that rejection only helps you get closer to your goals. It goes without saying that you must create energy and activity around your goal. Without sufficient action, you won¡¦t experience either disappointment or success. You¡¦ll just keep muddling along.

Your certainty and self-confidence will grow as you take action. Your goals will allow you to attract the appropriate coaches and role models who will guide you in taking the most effective actions to produce results quickly. Using a mentor can really accelerate your results.

Actually, goals are the means to an end and not the ultimate purpose of our lives. Have you ever noticed that once a goal is achieved you discover other, perhaps larger goals? Goals are a powerful tool to allow us to focus our energy. They will not make us happy all by themselves, but we are shaped by our pursuit of our goals. We learn to overcome obstacles, develop character, and discover who we really are in the process. This process can give us deep and long-lasting fulfillment, and prepares us for an even better life.

So what are the best ways to craft compelling goals that will propel you forward?

ć Decide what you want

ć Ask yourself how you will feel when you have accomplished this goal

ć Go back and craft your goal using these emotions. Use as many emotions as possible to make the goal come alive for you

ć Find pictures that express this goal and place them where you will see them daily

ć Remind yourself of your goal at least twice every day

ć Set a time limit to accomplish this goal

ć Develop a plan of action, right down to what you need to do every day to move closer to your goal

ć Start now, and make it happen!

I wish you great success. You can do it!

Gretchen Sunderland
www.coachgretchen.com