The whole point in setting your goals is so you can accomplish those things you really want in life. Goal setting is so unbelievably powerful. Goals must be specific, written down, and have a time frame. Just making the commitment to put it in writing will help you get there. Having good organization is a hard thing to do in this business because we are constantly interrupted. You have to be able to multi-task. We all want to get to where our business is repeat and referral, but it will take good organization, consistency, and patience.
I believe that the great NFL Hall of Fame coach, Vince Lombardi, had it right when he said, "The quality of a persons life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor." Do you agree with the coach or are you the type of person who has difficulty staying focused and keeping commitments? Do you allow the negative influences of fear, anxiety, self-doubt and worry to dominate your thinking and sabotage your goals and results?
Sadly, most people fail to achieve their goals, not because they're lazy or lack self-motivation, but because they were never "fully committed" to succeed! Walt Disney would frequently tell those around him, "When you believe in something, believe in it all the way, implicitly and unquestionably!
The four reasons people don't set goals:
- Fear
- Poor Self Image
- Never been sold completely
- They just don't know how
The 7 steps in a successful goal formula:
- Identify the Goal
- List the benefits you'll receive
- List the obstacles you have to overcome
- List the knowledge, skills and tools you'll need
- Identify the people, groups and organizations you must work with
- Develop an Action-Plan
- Set a completion date
According to Zig Ziglar, there is danger in setting your goals because you might not reach them and if you don't reach them, there is that little damage to your ego, to your self-image. But, there is infinitely more danger in not setting your goals. Here's a great little goal setting application to help you set your goals for the fourth quarter this year.
It's an excel spreadsheet designed to map out what it will take to achieve your goals in Real Estate. It's very easy to use, easy to download, but you will need Microsoft Excel to run it. Now more than ever, we need to redefine our goals, our challenges and our obstacles. It's easy to know where we are, but can we determine where we are going, simply by setting some goals?
Here's the 8th step! You can 
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Most people never set goals. Your material is good.
Thanks
Teresa Johnson
Goals, both personally & professionally are very important. But I like your additional 7 steps to consider, it helps focus you even more. Great post!
Most people never set goals. Your material is good.
Teresa - I know what you mean, this post was a goal of mine.....6 months ago, but i never set it, or wrote it down!! LOL! haha
Brad, Thanks for the awesome tools! I'm not too good about goal setting, so this looks like it will be a wonderful help!
Deborah - setting and reaching your goals is a set of attitudes, skills, and habits. This application will help you stay focused on the big picture, and what you really want to achieve in life. :-)
Goals, both personally & professionally are very important. But I like your additional 7 steps to consider, it helps focus you even more. Great post!
Ronald - thanks! You can get everything in life you want if you help enough other people get what they want! I think that's actually a quote from Zip or Covey, not too sure. Go for the GOAL....I MEAN GOLD!! :-)
Brad, I really appreciate you sharing your wonderful resources. I give you a "5" as I feel you really go out of your way to help others.
Candy - you know what they say about Kharma...I know you'll pay it forward, and it'll be payed forward in return.
Great tools Brad. As usual you have another hit in my book. Thanks for sharing and reminding.
Rosemary - (and of course your daughter) , This is a great "goal setting" tool that was designed by Realtors® while helping Realtors® to use it. It was a creation over time, I truly do hope it will be a "hit" in your book! :-)
Brad - I set goals and pretty much use the steps you mentioned. I did not realize about number 5 (Identify the people, groups and organizations you must work with). I will you this one also. Thanks.
Hey Chuck - time to "Talk To Chuck"! I love that in your signature! You are what you are and where you are because of what has gone into your mind ~ you change what you are by changing what goes into your mind! Thanks for being open-minded! LOL!
I think you have already identified the people, groups, and organizations, now how do you apply that to your goals? Simple, set your goals on Active Rain, and see if you can't make them your target. My goal is to increase my business by 50% before the end of the year. There, I wrote it, now, it's an official goal! :-)
Brad, totally awesome tools! I am a great believer in setting goals! Without them, life would be dull. Thanks for the excellent tips!!!
Irina - There is the potential in goals that can transform your life, look what it did for Tony Robbins! :-)
You know what they say, "When the pupil is ready, the teacher will appear." I love that quote. I hope you are obtaining all the goals you have in life and if not... you better download this app. :-)
I watched a interview with Warren Buffet the other night. Flipping channels and there he was. They interviewed some of his managers and people in charge of all his businesses. They said at the beginning of the year, Warren gives us our goals and then leaves us alone to perform them.
He is available when we need him, but he doesn't micro manage. Interesting, huh ?
Setting goals in this market once a year might not work. I would do it for 1-3 months at a time. Then micro-manage yourself as best you can! :-) This goal planner will tell you exactly how many homes you need to sell to hit your desired income based on sales prices and commission splits. You'll find it easy to use and really beneficial. Let me know what you think...
Maggie - is that the reason you've been such a stranger? Don't let that little button do that, it's an invitation for the new folks who don't know that the same option is above your photo! LOL! Glad you like my posts, wish you could say the same about the program...haha. You have no idea what it can do for you if you don't use it. Setting goals is a tough thing to do. If you expect to be happy, healthy, and successful, you must work towards your goals daily! Enjoy "Closing the Sale". Nice to hear from you Maggie, hope all is well, thanks for the visit!
Jennifer - I'm no spreadsheet King, but since you're the queen, I am looking forward to your comments and feedback about "The Goal Planner" spreadsheet. I think you're gonna like it, but I don't want to assume, I'd love to hear what you think. Let me know, don't let it sit on the desktop like MAGGIE did...LOL! Let me know your thoughts and opinion after you check it out.
**** (Just kidding Maggie) :-)
Hi Brad-
Another great post, we like what you have to offer here, we like the Goal Planner - thanks for the resources!
Great Post Mr. Techno.... As successful as I am ... I wing it every year.... I promise myself time and time again that I will put a "plan" in motion.... maybe.. Now don't get crazy I said "maybe" this will be the time.
Thanks for sharing.!!
Thanks my friend. Apparently one of your goals is sharing your knowledge and wisdom with all of us! We appreciate it.
Adam - google wins!! LOL!
Six Sigma - What is Six Sigma?
Six Sigma at many organizations simply means a measure of quality that strives for near perfection. Six Sigma is a disciplined, data-driven approach and methodology for eliminating defects (driving towards six standard deviations between the mean and the nearest specification limit) in any process -- from manufacturing to transactional and from product to service.
You're right, very interesting! Thanks Adam! :-)
Brad, I think you are the premier poster on Active Rain. No one offers more timely information than you do!
I thank you. David
This is just the kick in the pants I needed! Thank you!
Kim Dillon, Creative Eye Home Staging
Well, does Activerain really get the Google juice everyone claims? Here's some interesting info you won't want to pass up. I just ran google to see where this application would come up and here's what I found!
Brad, I learned early on to "plan my work and work my plan" Good post. Thank you.
Bill Roberts
Brad, thank you so much for this information. I am already on the road to re-position!
You're welcome. Here's an online version I'm working on! Not sure it will work but worth a try!
Agent Assist 5.1 - Goal Planner Online
Brad, you're so right. I fully believe in goal setting. I do my best to set goals each and every year. My goals for 2007 are real. I am very close to accomplishing both my sales and listing goals. On the sales side with in 3 closing to hit my personal year goal. The only thing I did not accomplish was to go to Chicago and see the Cubs play. See my post on my goals.
Hey late-nighter...
It takes me so long to write a blog, and I have so many I want to write....yes I whining>>>>
Now I don't know how to get it on facebook or blog, yes I'm whining....too damn long in the hospital.
Sandie is as smart as she is beautiful...and single.
Hugs Liz