Create Process Goals and Enjoy Greater Success

Create Process Goals and Enjoy Greater Success

Would you choose a vacation destination and then sit around your house until it was time to go back to work? If that sounds silly, think about the times you thought about losing weight or finding a more fulfilling job but didn’t take the steps necessary to achieve what you wanted.

In the vacation scenario, strategy may not be a big deal because your motivation is high, and obstacles are few. However, when you’re pursuing more challenging goals, it’s important to think about the process as well as the outcomes.

Enjoy more success by changing your approach to goal setting. Learn more about process goals and how to use them.

Setting Process Goals:

1. Focus on behavior. You’re probably familiar with outcome goals that describe results, like managing your blood pressure. However, it can be difficult to make progress unless you also set process goals for the related steps, like cutting back on salt and exercising regularly.
2. Learn from experience. Your past victories give you a foundation to build on. Identify your strengths and the tactics that work for you.
3. Clarify your expectations. Analyzing your goals gives you an opportunity to consider whether they’ll really provide the benefits you’re hoping for. For example, if you’re trying to build your self-esteem, you may decide to cancel plastic surgery and go back to school instead.
4. Be specific. Precise goals are easier to visualize, giving you more motivation and a clearer sense of direction. Identify your top priorities and express your thoughts in the simplest language possible.
5. Face reality. Ask yourself if you’re capable of achieving your goals. For example, you may discover that you need to earn an additional certification before you can apply for a more senior position.
6. Think positive. Use your goals to describe things you want in your life rather than things you’re trying to avoid. It’s more fun and effective.

Implementing Process Goals:

1. Combine your goals. Process goals supplement your outcome goals rather than replace them. When you put them together, you can see the big picture and pay attention to the details.
2. Break things down. If your final goal is a long way off, you may need to create shorter term objectives to strive for. Each victory will reinforce your commitment, especially if you find satisfying ways to reward yourself for your efforts.
3. Evaluate your progress. Measurable goals enable you to assess how you’re coming along. You might keep a journal or use a checklist to mark off the tasks that you’ve completed.
4. Overcome obstacles. What if you’re falling behind? Planning for contingencies will help you deal with unexpected events that come between you and your goals. For example, you could keep running each day by switching to an indoor track if your local park is buried in snow.
5. Recover from relapses. What if you temporarily abandoned your goals, but you’re determined to bounce back? Let go of guilt and give yourself credit for making a fresh start. Work on making changes that will help you stay on track.
6. Change your environment. Your surroundings play a major role in your ability to reach your goals. It will be easier to enjoy higher quality sleep if you replace your sagging mattress and move your TV out of your bedroom.
7. Seek support. Social support is another key ingredient for success. Let your family and friends know how they can help you.

Process goals help you to focus on the things you can control and give you a concrete plan. Create the life you want by setting meaningful goals and taking the necessary actions to reach them.

9 Things Mentally Strong People Do

9 Things Mentally Strong People Do That Mentally Weak People Don’t

There are many ways to categorize people: short and tall, intelligent and simple-minded, athletic and clumsy. One way to classify people is mentally strong and weak.

It’s easy for you to think of someone that’s mentally strong and another that’s weak. We all know what that means, but have you considered the actual differences between these two types of people?

The differences are real and significant. There are many things that mentally weak people either can’t or won’t do. Can you guess what these things are?

Mentally strong people consistently demonstrate these behaviors:

1. Get started. Mentally strong people do a wonderful job of getting started. They are aggressive starters.
   • There are a few mentally weak people that are good at getting started, but most quickly run out of gas. The average mentally weak person does a decent job of planning, but never takes the first step when it comes time to take action.
2. Finish. Getting started is only part of the battle. Mentally strong people are also good at crossing the finish line. Are you one of those people that seems to give up before you complete anything significant? If so, you’re not as mentally strong as you could be.
3. Do the hard things that need to be done. To be successful at anything substantial, it’s necessary to do some difficult things. These difficult things might require a few failed attempts, learning something challenging, or simply doing something that’s uncomfortable.
   • Mentally weak people avoid these types of activities as much as possible.
4. Embrace change. Strong people make the most of change. Weak people avoid change or are paralyzed by it.
   • Change is a wonderful opportunity for growth and progress. Strong people take advantage of change while weak people are harmed by it.
5. Take risks. Calculated risks are a part of creating massive success. Mentally strong people are able to avoid taking foolish risks or playing the game of life too conservatively. They find the optimal middle ground.
   • Mentally weak people either give in to foolish urges and risk too much, or they are too conservative.
6. They don’t resent the success of others. Strong-minded people are comfortable, or even happy, when others are successful. Weak-minded people are jealous or resentful of those that do well in life.
7. Persevere. Mentally weak people give up far too quickly and easily to ever achieve much. Those with stronger minds manage to persevere until they are successful.
8. They say, “no” quickly and easily. Some people have a hard time saying no. However, mentally strong people are able to say “no” when needed and don’t lose any sleep over it. They’re able to stay on track when it comes to their goals.
9. Delay gratification. The most successful people are able to delay gratification for years. The inability to delay gratification is a serious weakness. If you need to feel good or be rewarded right now, you’ll struggle to ever accomplish anything significant.

Mentally strong people have many advantages in the world. They get more done and are more effective at dealing with obstacles. They’re able to refuse requests that are too inconvenient. They persevere when the average person would simply give up. They also leverage change to their advantage.

In short, mentally tough people are able to do the things that mentally weak people won’t do. This is a huge advantage. It’s very difficult for a mentally weak person to compete with someone that is much stronger mentally.

Look at the list above and see where your mental toughness lies. You can learn to be tougher, and the results in your life will improve along with your toughness.

5 Easy Steps to Grooming Yourself for Success

5 Easy Steps to Grooming Yourself for Success

It’s always important to put your best foot forward. After all, a good first impression is the best expression, and it lasts. One good way to leave a first impression that supports your success is to start by being personally and/or professionally groomed.

However, grooming for success is a lifestyle. Grooming is not just about how we present ourselves to appear properly attired and hygienically clean, but it’s also about taking effective actions to succeed.

Try these tips and set yourself up to achieve whatever you seek in life:

1. Dress for success. Knowing how to coordinate your outfits and wardrobe for a professional presence will make others take notice of you and see you in a more professional light. It aids in getting that promotion and positions you for the next level.
   • Even when you’re not at the level where you want to be at work, still dress the part. It will help you get there!
2. Positive posturing. Confidence (not arrogance) is necessary to project a positive image. This attracts others who see your ability. So, bring your A-game each day.
   • If you don’t feel confident, act confident anyway. This can help you feel the confidence that you currently lack. Remind yourself of past successes and let yourself be proud of those successes. Soon, you’ll build greater confidence and won’t have to fake it anymore.
   • Maintain humility and gratitude for your job, friends, and family. This goes a long way into placing you in a positive position.
   • You’ve heard the saying, “Birds of a feather flock together!” This well-known saying means that your actions and the company you keep can either propel you to great heights or hold you back.
3. Be in the know. It’s important to keep your eyes and ears open and know what is happening around you. This helps you to contribute to meaningful conversations or makes you alert to valuable information. It’s also useful for making strategic decisions to move forward or realign your perspectives.
4. Be pleasant. People feel comfortable with others who offer a ready smile, which puts them at ease. They open up more and are willing to help you if you’re happy and courteous.
5. Continue learning. As you groom yourself for success, keep your mind sharp. Complete courses or certifications that pertain to your field or other fields that interest you – you never know when they will come in handy!
   • Having additional skills makes you more marketable and poised to increase your financial earning.

Whether you want to succeed at work or in your personal life with friends and family, it’s important to first take responsibility for your actions. Set yourself up for success and take action toward your goals. How you act about attaining your goals will determine if you will achieve them.

How are you grooming yourself for success? How do others see you? If it’s not the way that you want them to see you, take steps to change it. Setting yourself up for success is a continuous process. Just keep at it and you’ll soon have the success you seek.

Release Your Creative Genius

Tap Into Your Imagination and Release Your Creative Genius

You have a powerful imagination even if you don’t realize it. Your brain is able to generate some great ideas.

While your imagination is always available, it’s not always at its best. It’s important to use it and feed it to keep it sharp. With a little work, your imagination will serve you well.

Who couldn’t use a great idea or two?

Try these techniques to release your creative genius:

1. Spend more time alone. The most creative people also tend to be those who spend the most time alone. Your imagination can run free when you’re alone. People are distracting.
2. Set aside time to be creative. Creativity and your imagination go hand in hand. Set aside some time each day to be creative. Your imagination will benefit, too.
   • The more you grow your creativity, the more your imagination will grow, and vice-versa.
3. Set aside time to visualize. Practice visualizing each day. Visualize things you know. Visualize things that don’t exist. Really stretch your ability to see things in your mind. Here are two exercises to get you started:
   • Close your eyes and imagine a piece of fruit in your hand. Describe in detail what it looks like, how it feels in your hand, and how it smells. Now, take a bite and describe the taste.
   • Visualize yourself in a pleasant environment, perhaps the beach. Fully experience being in that place. What do you see, hear, smell, and feel? How real does it feel to you?
4. Allow yourself to daydream every day. Allow your creativity to run wild. Daydream for at least a few minutes each day. Just see where your imagination takes you.
   • Avoid the temptation to steer your daydream in a particular direction.
5. Create something from your imagination. Use your imagination to build something.
   • Suppose you wanted to build a birdhouse. Imagine every aspect of it in your mind. Decide on the dimensions without using a ruler. Plan out every aspect of it and then actually build it. Use only your memory and the necessary tools when it comes time to build. Evaluate how you did.
6. Explore various creative avenues. If you love to draw, draw. But you’ll become better at drawing if you try your hand at painting, sculpture, or music. Branch out a little bit and your ability to imagine new things will grow.
7. Withhold judgement. Judgment blocks creativity. If you fear being judged, your ability to imagine and create is greatly stifled. The surest way to worry about other people judging you is to be judgmental of others.
   • Also, avoid judging the ideas of your imagination. Allow them to take their final form before you critique them.
8. Travel. New places lead to new thoughts and creations. The number and quality of ideas you generate is limited if you spend all of your time in the same 50-mile radius. Expand your horizons and get out of town, or better yet, out of the country.
9. Spend time with new people. The same goes for spending time with a wide variety of people. Meeting new people will lead to new thoughts and ideas.

Provide your imagination with the fuel it needs to expand. Give it a workout each day. These two simple ideas are all you need to get a lot more from your imagination. New people, places, and creative experiences will give your imagination more to work with.

Using your imagination regularly will improve its performance and ability to communicate with you. Your imagination is a tool that’s too powerful to waste. Start using it today!

7 Ways to Arrange Your Life to Support Your Goals

7 Ways to Arrange Your Life to Support Your Goals

If you have huge goals, working on them here and there whenever it’s convenient will delay ever reaching those goals.

If you arrange your life in such a way that supports those goals, however, all aspects of your life will be working together – complementing each other – with the realization of your goals as the result!

Yes, arranging your life around your goals helps you create the exact life you want!

Use these strategies to make it happen:

1. Define your goals. Know your goals. This is always the first step. Success isn’t an accident. It requires a vision and intention.
   • Clarify exactly what you want to happen, in such a detailed way that you can see, hear, smell, taste, and feel all aspects of that life.
2. People. Are the people in your life supportive of your goals? You have a choice to make. You can spend time with others that make you more likely to be able to live your purpose, or you can spend your time with those that make it less likely for you to live the life you truly want.
   • Are there others you need to connect with in order to achieve your goals? Maybe it would help to have a banker or two in your life. Maybe a coach or a marketing expert would spur you on. Invite new people into your circle that will support your goals.
   • You can only spend time with a certain number of people. As they say, you become like the people you spend the most time with. Are you spending time with the right people?
3. Diet. If you want to run a marathon, that’s a different diet than someone that wants to win a bodybuilding contest. Do you need a lot of energy, or do you need a lot of focus? What type of diet allows you to do your best work?
   • Experiment with several diets and pay attention to how they impact you physically and mentally.
4. Sleep. What is the optimal amount of sleep for you? You might find that you can pursue your goal much more effectively if you get more sleep. Most people require 7-8 hours of sleep each night to be at their best.
5. Time. How are you spending your time each day? Are you wasting time on mere distractions or trivial pursuits? When you’re using your time to chase after your goals, are you choosing the most effective actions or the easiest?
   • Track how you spend your time each day and see what you discover.
6. Home. Are you living in the right city, neighborhood, or home to best pursue your goals? For example, it would be very difficult to become the world’s greatest skier while living in Illinois. Where do you need to be to maximize the odds of your success?
   • Should you be living in the city or the country?
   • East coast or West?
   • Condo or farm?
   • Near the mountains or the ocean?
   • Alone or with others?
7. Career. Are you making enough money to pursue your goals? Is your career helping or hurting your efforts?
   • For example, if you need to be free during the day to pursue your goals, then an evening job makes more sense than a day job.
   • If your current job or career path doesn’t support the life you want, research one that will and make plans to pursue that path.

Big goals require the coordination of every aspect of your life. If you want to run a 10K, you can work that around your current schedule. If you want to become a billionaire, it’s going to take more than that.

How big are your goals? How serious are you about achieving them? Are you ready to arrange your life to support your goals? You can get started today!

Vision Boards – Why They Work and How to Create One

Vision Boards: Why They Work and How to Create One

Everyone has heard of a vision board, but many people aren’t entirely clear on what one is or what it can do for them. A vision board is a visualization and reminder tool consisting of images, affirmations, and quotes that can inspire, motivate, and encourage action.

Many people find vision boards a useful tool in their quest to be successful and to realize their dreams.

A vision board provides important benefits, such as:

1. Motivation. A vision board is an easy, fast and effective way to boost motivation. Once a vision board is constructed, a quick glance can regenerate positive feelings and motivation instantly.
   • Take care in creating your vision board. The right vision board for you is one that generates positive feelings in you.
2. Focus. A vision board is a convenient reminder of what you’re trying to accomplish. Many people lose track of their goals before any significant progress is made. Vision boards serve as a constant reminder of your most important objectives.

Use these methods to create an effective and exciting vision board:

1. Set your goals. A vision board requires a specific intention. If you don’t know what your intention is, it’s not possible to make an effective vision board. Be crystal clear on what you want to accomplish. This is the first step.
2. View the vision boards of others. There are so many different style designs and ideas, you’re certain to be inspired by viewing the vision boards of others. There are plenty of photos online that can spark your creativity.
3. Decide on a format. You could dedicate an entire wall to your vision. Or make a traditional poster. Perhaps a bulletin board is more your style.
   • There are even websites that provide vision board tools. With this option, you’ll be able to view your vision board from anywhere in the world.
4. Find pictures that represent your goals. A vision board is visual, so you’re going to need some photos, drawings, or paintings that represent your goals. Again, the internet is the easiest way to go if you have a printer up to the task. Otherwise, you’ll have to go old school and cut up magazines or use photos.
   • Pictures that don’t elicit an emotional response will have a limited impact. Choose wisely.
5. Choose words, quotes, or slogans. It can be effective to include text in your vision board. Certain words and quotes can also elicit strong emotions.
   
6. Organize everything. Do you like everything neat and lined up? Do you prefer the look of a collage? It’s up to you. Lay your vision board out a few different ways and choose what feels the best to you.

How to use a vision board effectively:

1. Look at your vision board at least twice each day. Just a few minutes is perfectly fine. Clear your mind and focus on the images and words that you’ve chosen to represent your objectives.
2. Visualize achieving those things. Imagine how great it will feel to finally have those items, experiences, and achievements in your life.
3. Add items that appeal to you. As the days pass, you’ll have new ideas and come across new pictures and text that you’ll want to add to your vision board. Do it! This is a process and not a one-time event.
4. List action steps you’ve identified as most effective. A vision board is motivating, but it’s insufficient when it comes to changing your life. The actions you take are ultimately what matters. Identify the actions that will make your vision board a reality and actually do them!

A vision board can be a powerful tool for bringing positive change to your life. A vision board is highly motivating and focuses your attention on what you want. Anyone can use this powerful tool to experience more success in life.