December 29th, 2010
Welcome back for our conclusion of the five-part series on SMART goal setting. Today’s installment is on “T” for Timely.
There’s an old adage that says, “Work expands to fill the time allotted.” The same is true for goals. Consider that if you set a goal for one year from now, it will likely take you a year (or longer) to achieve that goal.
The reason for this is simple: if you know you have a full year to achieve the goal, it is highly unlikely that you will begin to take action today to manifest that goal.
/>On the other hand, if you took the same exact goal and set it for two months from now, you would likely have to get into action today in order to actualize it. The “timely” aspect of your goal relates to what kind of timetable you’ll place on it.
Generally speaking, you can take whatever timeline seems reasonable for achieving your goal and cut it in half. So if you feel very comfortable achieving your goal within six months, consider setting that same goal for three months, for maximum effectiveness.
Once you’ve set your goal and ensured that it’s specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and timely, the next step is to write it down. Studies have shown that people who write down their goals are ten times more likely to achieve their goal than people who don’t write down their goal.
Bob Proctor, a noted author, coach, motivational speaker and personal development product creator, recommends phrasing your goal in the following manner:
Today is (insert future date: the date by which you wish to have accomplished your goal), and I am so happy and grateful now that (here, state your goal as though it already accomplished). I am thankful for this or something even better.
Here is a specific example.
Today is March 1, 2011, and I am so happy and grateful now that I’m driving my brand new 2011 Toyota Highlander. I am thankful for this or something even better.
That concludes our series on powerful goal setting, and should put you in the right mindset for setting your New Year’s resolutions and 2011 goals.
Remember, if you need a rental projector for any reason whatsoever, you can always rely on Projector123.com to provide professional grade LCD rental projectors in a fast and affordable manner. Your total satisfaction is our goal. Click here to reserve your rental projector right now.
December 27th, 2010
Here we are once again, continuing our five-part series on SMART goal setting. In this installment, we look at the “R” in SMART, which stands for Relevant.
Powerful goals are relevant to you, to your wishes and desires. The caveat here is to avoid choosing a goal that you think you “should” want, and truly focusing on what excites you and gets you fired up.
For example, if you have to meet a certain sales quota in order to maintain your job or a particular pay level, don’t make that your goal. Few people can get truly excited about things they know they need to do (when is the last time you got jazzed about paying your taxes?) A better goal would involve a dream, something you’ve always wanted to do (or have, or be) but haven’t yet, an exciting possession, or a major achievement. Here are some examples: visit the Great Wall of China, vacation in the Bahamas, own a designer watch, be the number one sales rep in your organization, earn a specific amount of money that feels exciting to you, buy a house, marry your soul mate, etc.
 A Word about Couples
Many times, couples may set goals as a couple, but it is also essential to have individual goals that are relevant to the individuals in the relationship. It’s important to set couple goals not only to share exciting experiences, but to keep the couple on the same page. For example, if one person wants to move to Alaska but the other wants to live in Hawaii, this could certainly be detrimental to their relationship! But the couple could set a goal to vacation together in Australia, as long as this is a goal that both parties are excited and passionate about achieving.
Individual goals are needed because not all goals are shared. If, for example, the husband has always wanted to own a Harley Davidson motorcycle, but the wife is not at all interested in sharing this experience, then this would be an individual goal for the husband. The wife’s goal would be something that excites her, but isn’t necessarily exciting for the husband (such as a huge shopping spree, launching her own line of jewelry, winning a particular award that holds meaning for her, or taking a “girls-only” cruise with her friends).
Get busy thinking about what goals are most exciting and most relevant to you personally, and come back next time for our final installment on: the Timely nature of goals.
If we can assist you in the meantime with a rental projector, be sure to visit us online at Projector123.com. We are the country’s top provider of LCD rental projectors – click here to discover why.
December 22nd, 2010
As we continue this five-part series in effective goal setting, we next tackle the “A” in SMART, which represents: Attainable.
For goals to be truly effective, they must be within reach. This is often the trickiest of the SMART steps, perhaps a bit more art than science. It is not sufficient to simply set goals that are easily attainable. In fact, psychologically, it can actually be detrimental to set goals that appear too easy. In these cases, self-sabotage creeps in, and little ground is gained.
 Goals should be challenging, but not impossible to achieve. Consider this scenario:
Imagine there’s something you want but it’s on a very high shelf. You’ll have to take certain steps to reach it: perhaps a stepladder, and/or a stick to maneuver the item off the shelf, etc. When you retrieve the item, you notice a sense of accomplishment (which may be small, depending on what the item was and how badly you wanted or needed it, but a sense of accomplishment nonetheless). In contrast, if you need to reach an item that is easily accessible, you don’t give it a second though, you just grab it, and there is no mental process at all; it is completely mundane. It works the same way with goals.
Challenging goals require more focus, more than one action step, and more attention from you. And when you achieve these goals, you feel a definite sense of accomplishment.
Goals that are too easy become mundane, and we don’t give them a second thought. And unless they are necessary, we often don’t take any action whatsoever to achieve them.
If your goal is not exciting and not challenging, consider making it an action item on your to-do list, instead of keeping it as a goal. Choose a goal that excites you and lights you up – and one that requires some work to achieve.
We’ll talk more about that in our next installment on Relevancy.
In the meantime, why not visit Projector123.com to learn more about our fast, convenient, easy to use rental projectors? Click here now to discover Projector123.com.
December 20th, 2010
Welcome back to part two of our five-part series on SMART goal setting. Today, we look at “M” for Measurable.
Effective goals are specific and measurable. It has long been said that whatever we measure will improve, so it makes sense to make your goals measurable. Additionally, creating a measurable goal means you will know when you’ve achieved the goal.
 Using our earlier examples, we can see that if the goal is to own a 2011 Toyota Highlander by a certain date, then you can simply look in your garage or driveway on that date and know whether or not the goal was achieved.
But what if your goal is more abstract, as in our “be happier” example? In this case, you might consider using a scale of 1-10 to measure your progress. For example, let’s say you wish to be happier because your work is stressful and you want to be a better parent to your children. Let’s also say that your current happiness level on a scale of 1-10 (with 1 being miserable and 10 being ecstatic) is currently a 4. You could begin to rate your happiness at the end of each day, and notice whether it goes up.
As mentioned previously, whatever you put your attention and focus on will grow, so if you begin to place your attention and focus on measuring your own happiness, you will see it begin to improve.
Track your progress with a simple chart or notebook, and watch your happiness increase.
If your goals are centered around generating more sales, or earning more money, then track that progress as well. Be sure to set specific goals that you can measure, whether it represents a percentage improvement (e.g., 10% increase in sales) or a specific target (e.g., amass five new clients by the 20th).
Whatever your goal is, you know you can trust Projector123.com any time you need to rent a projector. From higher quality time spent as a family to more professional sales presentations, Projector123.com can help give you that extra edge. Click here now to visit our website and learn more.
December 17th, 2010
Whether you’re in a sales position or own your own business, it pays to set powerful goals to support you in creating success. The “SMART” goal-setting guide is used by many successful professionals, and this simple yet effective tool can assist you as well. We’ll take each piece and devote one post to exploring it fully before moving on to the next piece.
SMART is an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely.
 The “S” in SMART stands for Specific. In order for your goals to be effective, they must be specific. Consider that setting a goal to “get a car” is not as powerful as creating a goal to “own a brand-new 2011 black Toyota Highlander with tan leather interior, all-wheel drive, sunroof, deluxe upgrade package and ski rack.”
If it’s a Toyota Highlander (for example) that you’ve got your eye set on, the first example of “get a car” is just not going to get it done. Would you settle for a twenty-year-old Chevy Nova? Of course not, but setting a goal to “get a car” leaves the door open for too many things that you don’t want, instead of focusing on what you do want.
If your goal is a non-material goal, the rule of specificity still applies. For example, if you goal is to “be happier” then what is it that you specifically wish to see change in your life? Do you want to smile more? Feel less pressure from work or family? Create more life balance? Have more fun? What specifically would you do if you were able to have more fun? Would you go on vacation more? Spend more time on your hobbies (or take up new ones)?
The fact is, you will get what you focus on, so the more specific you are about what you want, the more likely you will be to achieve that, as opposed to something similar but less desirable to you.
In the next installment we’ll look at the “M” in SMART, which stands for Measurable.
In the meantime, be sure to visit Projector123.com to rent a projector for your next social gathering or sales presentation. Renting from Projector123.com is as easy as 1-2-3. Click here now to learn more.
November 1st, 2010
Today we continue our ongoing series on the Psychology of Sales. This month’s topic is a biggie: goal setting. If you’ve been in the sales industry any reasonable amount of time, you’ve likely been exposed to goal setting, and may already use this valuable practice. However, you might be surprised to learn that many people are using goal setting strategies improperly (or ineffectively), thereby producing results that fall short of their true potential. In this installment, we’ll look at strategic tips for powerful goal setting.
Be Specific
All too often, a person may set a goal that is not specific or measurable, thereby making it not only difficult to hit the goal, but to know when it’s been achieved. For example, if you’ve ever set a goal to “be healthy” or gain “financial freedom” it’s unlikely that you actually achieved this goal, because it’s far too vague to focus on as an end result. If you did desire to improve your health, you could pick a specific benchmark to measure, such as the distance you can run, or lowering your cholesterol to a number under __ (some specified number), or being able to climb three flights of stairs without becoming winded, etc.
Set Goals and Targets (and Know the Difference)
A mistake made by many sales professionals involves setting targets and mistaking them for goals. A target is a task or a to-do item to achieve; a milestone or marker en route to a bigger goal. A goal is an end result, and one that inspires and drives you. For example, you might have a goal to buy a brand new BMW, and you might set specific sales targets to get you there. Setting targets without a goal is like trying to win a race when you’re blindfolded. If you can’t see where you are, and you don’t have measuring points to check your progress, you have no idea whether or not you’re winning (or even close to the finish line). Your targets should support your goal.
Infuse Passion and Emotion
Your goals should excite you; they should light you up and inspire you to press onward. Never set goals to “get by,” get out of debt, or pay your mortgage. Assume that you can achieve what you need, plus a whole lot more. Focusing on your passions is what will keep you going when the going gets tough, and it keeps you from getting bogged down in life’s “have-tos”. What are you most passionate about? It might include material possessions like clothes, a car, or a new house, or it might include intangibles such as vacations, time spent with family, or being fit and healthy. You might be passionate about contributing to a particular organization or community. Whatever excites you most is what you should focus on when setting goals.
If you’ve got a specific sales challenge you’d like assistance with, post a comment here and we’ll do our best to address it in an upcoming post. In the meantime, put your best, most professional foot forward at your next sales presentation with a rental projector from Projector123.com. Our high quality rental projectors will ensure that you create the most polished, effective presentation possible. Click here to learn more now.
October 22nd, 2010
As we come fully into this final quarter of 2010, the main focus is on a final end-of-year push to hit annual targets for the year. If you’re already feeling the pressure of this push, here are some tips for helping you achieve even the loftiest of goals.
 Take Ownership
One of the trickiest parts of being pushed to hit goals is that the goals aren’t necessarily your own. Pressures trickle down from upper management and executive levels who may not have a realistic handle on what kinds of pressures you’re dealing with out in the trenches (and furthermore, they may not be entirely willing to listen when you attempt to convey such stresses!)
In many cases, it pays to engage in open conversation with your superiors to explain what you believe is attainable, and why they current goals may not be feasible. If nothing shifts as a result of such dialogue, then the key is to take ownership – even though these may not be the goals you would have set for yourself. Push hard and do your best to hit the targets, and it will be much easier if you take ownership of the goals instead of blaming upper management for pushing them upon you.
Begin with the End in Mind
Stephen Covey, author of the international bestselling book, “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” invites us to begin with the end in mind. In other words, imagine what it will be like once you have achieved these high goals, and hit your sales targets. Will you get a raise? Will you win company awards? Will you earn a promotion? What will your earnings be as a result of all these commissions on sales? Will the company’s position be improved in the marketplace? Covey’s research shows that people who begin with the end in mind are far more likely to achieve their goals – and stay motivated through the tough spots – than those who omit this simple step. Keep your eyes on the prize and you will find it far easier to persevere.
Track Your Progress
It is a fact: whatever we measure will improve. Your company may have some measurement tools in place, which you may or may not find useful. Don’t be afraid to create your own measurement tools to track your personal progress. Use whatever seems most helpful to you – celebrate wins and create a strategy for minimizing losses. Focus on the positive in your tracking and measure, measure, measure. Be sure to share your progress with your superiors, but only if you believe it will elicit encouragement (as opposed to, “That’s fine, but what about the rest? We’ve really got to crank it now.”) Remember that upper management has their own stressors, and you can keep your head down and your focus sharp and when you track your progress you will find that you soon start to progress even more!
Stay in Action
Avoid procrastination, stay in action and keep yourself focused. When you combine all these tactics, you’ve got a winning strategy for achieving even the most outrageous of goals.
For your next sales presentation or corporate meeting, remember to rent a projector from Projector123.com. We’ve got the fastest, easiest online ordering system, highest customer satisfaction, and a total hassle-free experience. Rentals including round-trip shipping start as low as $129 per rental. Click here now to get started.
January 1st, 2010
If you’re like approximately 90% of the American population, you firmly resolve to accomplish specific results each January, yet your interest wanes within about 3-8 weeks. Perhaps you are so disappointed in past results that you lack the will to even set New Year’s Resolutions at all. Well, don’t despair. Here are some practical hints to help you maintain your resolve all year long.
The most common New Year’s Resolutions include fitness goals and smoking cessation. Many people also vow to “get organized” once and for all (as if it were a one-time event!) If “getting organized” were a one-time activity, a lot more people would achieve that goal. Unfortunately, it requires a constant choice to “get” and “remain” organized.
Step one in your nuts-and-bolts guide to “setting goals that stick” is to figure out exactly what you want. Here’s a hint: you don’t want to lose weight, get out of debt or get organized. Perhaps what you really want is to look sexy, feel healthy, be in control of your finances and live life without stress. You’ll get far better results when you focus on what you do want instead of what you don’t want.
Figure out exactly what you want to be, do or have, and get specific about it. Do some research if you have to. If you dream of taking a luxurious vacation to an exotic locale, stop dreaming and start taking action that will get you there.
Start with a little research on the internet, at your local bookstore or library and by talking to people who’ve been there. For example, which countries do you want to visit? Which cities in each country? What national or historical landmarks do you have a burning desire to experience? What time of year is best for the geographic area? What documents or immunizations will you need? What languages are spoken and do you need to learn these or can you get by in English? Start getting really clear on what you want to get out of this once-in-a-lifetime vacation you’ve been wanting.
That should keep you busy until our next installment which covers how to get what you want.
|
|
|
|
|
©2009 Projector123.com
All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
/>
