Goal Setting

“I am successful because I am driven by my dream instead of my circumstances. Focusing on my goals helps me overcome disappointment and enables me to accomplish what I set out to do” ~ Robert Kiyosaki
Dreams are perhaps the most powerful force in the world. They provide us the image of what we can be, and what we can accomplish in this life. No matter how dire the circumstances we find ourselves in, dreams allow us to escape the moment, and project our future self and our future surroundings. This is what I believe Robert Kiyosaki is talking about when he refers to being driven by his dream rather than his circumstances. No matter what negative forces may be occurring on any given day, a person's dream provides the force and motivation to work through the setbacks that may be occurring.

When dreams are put into quantifiable terms, they usually are described in macro terms. Some examples of these dreams include becoming a millionaire, retiring by 50, becoming a powerful member of industry, or becoming famous. These are all examples of dreams that many people have that serve as the foundation of their motivation. These dreams are why we put in the extra time, and why we skip out on many pleasures others partake in.
While these dreams may serve as our proverbial coffee each day we wake up, they provide little direction on our day-to-day activities. Our dream may be to make $10 million or retire by 50, but this macro goal will be little more than a dream if the necessary action does not accompany it. During the course of our daily, weekly, and monthly activities, smaller micro goals are needed in order to accomplish the tasks necessary to reach our dreams.
Thus, when setting goals, two sets are needed. Your large macro goals, retiring early or making money for example, require little initial thought as they are likely innate. You know what motivates you and what you want in life. If you have not set large macro goals then you should take the time to do so. Write down where you want to be in 5, 10, and 20 years, and what you want to accomplish. Take a few minutes at the start of each day to look over or think about these goals, as this will provide the passion and energy to excel every day.
After you have set your large macro goals, turn your sights toward the smaller micro goals that will allow you to succeed on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. Most of your goal setting for the coming year should revolve around these micro goals. This process of goal setting can be much more tedious than macro goal setting. It is enjoyable to think about being retired on a beach one day, and far less enjoyable to think about the methodical tasks that are often required to achieve that goal. Yet, success in achieving your micro goals is often the difference between success and failure in your macro goals.
Micro goals come in many forms, and many of them revolve around the business activity that you are involved in. Real estate, the financial markets, and other entrepreneurial activities will all have various goals that you can set that will increase your chance of production and success. In setting your goals for the coming year, take an ample amount of time to identify the areas that will lead to success in your given field. Much like setting your dreams big, do not be afraid to make lofty goals in your objectives. Anyone can make one offer in real estate or put one stock on your watch list each month. Dream bigger, and require more out of yourself.
It is important to avoid goals that are too abstract. A common goal, and problem, that many people have is organization. If your goal is to become organized in the coming year, what does that entail? How can you measure that goal to see progress and success? A better way to approach this particular goal would be to identify the areas you are unorganized (i.e., an unorganized and messy desk). Then, state as a goal that you will spend X amount of time each day working toward your goal, or set a specific and achievable goal each day, such as clearing off your desk before you go to bed each night. Make the goal a quantifiable goal so you can chart your success.
Here are a few more examples of general micro goals for you to consider in the coming year. The list is far from inclusive, but should give you an idea of what areas you may want to consider in setting goals for the coming year.
Time Management – This is a common and serious problem for many. In order to maximize your time, it might be useful to set your goals in this area around blocks of time used. For example, one goal might be to set a morning routine in things you accomplish the first thirty minutes or hour of each day. This allows for a productive start to the day, and sets the right tone for the remainder. Another goal might be to set aside a certain amount of time each day (or weekend) that you devote exclusively to the area or projects you are working on.
People Skills – Communication skills and remembering names and birthdays are just a few topics in this area. Set a goal to send birthday cards to every person on your list. If your work involves dealing with people, then set aside a certain amount of time each day to work on developing your people skills. Don’t be afraid to look in the mirror—literally—during this time in order to practice the art of communication. The difference in many business deals can often hinge on what they think of your personally, so 10-15 minutes each day may be time well spent.
Knowledge – Information is power in today’s society so there is nothing wrong with acquiring more of it. Dedicate a certain amount of time each day to learning more about your business area, and the factors that will lead to success.
These are just a few of the many micro goals you could focus on in the coming year. If you spend the time to think about what you want to accomplish in the coming year, and then work each day to achieve them, your larger macro goals have a much higher chance of becoming reality.

This came from a news letter I receive from rich dad poor dad  I just wanted to share it to everyone.