SMART Goals Quick Overview with 21 SMART Goals Examples

 

https://youtu.be/elJcG83m-qg

Here's some great advice about setting SMART goals

How to Craft a 5 Year Plan | Brian Tracy

https://youtu.be/nCHgUp89qRM

Here's some advice from Brian Tracy on devising a 5 year plan to help you achieve your goals/dreams

Forming Good Habits

Forming good habits is necessary for all areas of your life. From health and fitness to family and career goals. In this article, we will briefly discuss why good habits are great to have, and how you can go about forming them.

Personal Habits

Can you identify any good habits you already have? Do you exercise regularly? Do you organize your finances and pay your bills on time? While these things may seem small they are good habits to have, because they help you keep your life organized.

When you perform tasks without thinking, they have become a habit. However, if certain tasks seem like a daily effort, that's because it has not yet become habitual. The good news is that it only takes 21-days for something to become a habit. The hardest part is getting through the first weeks.

There are plenty of areas in your life that could benefit from forming good habits. Examples of these would include exercising regularly, making time to spend with your family, having a date night with your spouse and scheduling out your work week.

Many of these things can be easily planned and arranged by using a calendar. In this way, planning will become a new habit. In turn, all areas of your life will improve. You will find that you have more time to spend with your family, and that you actually do have some free time.

Business Habits

When it comes to the career side of your life things like remembering to check your email, checking for customer support tickets and creating a to-do list all fall into the good habit category.

You must open and read your business emails to stay on top of your work schedule. If you don't respond to customer service issues, for example, you will lose customers.

Creating your to-do list is one of the best business-related habits you can form. Your to-do list can be categorized in different ways, such as, by the due date, by the importance of the job or by the amount of time needed to complete the different task.

Once you have your to-do list in place then you can be more productive. Each morning your list is waiting and you just pick up from where you left off the day before.

Why not list the habits you currently have and then create a list of ones you would like to form, pick one and start working on it.

Forming good habits is the key to success in every area of your life. Plus it will give you a sense of accomplishment because your life is organized, and you are less stressed when things are in order.

Eugene Bly is a Life coach and the Author of The 21-Day Success Formula to Positive Habit Creation. Discover the blueprint for forming success habits that will help you excel in life. Visit his website at https://lifecoachacademyonline.lifecoachhub.com.

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Eugene_Bly/261843

My Nine Life Lessons

This one is a bit of a departure from my typical article topics.

Recently I wrote a book about what I call "good-enough contentment." It's an allegory about a forty-something man who is unhappy with his life. After a magical train ride, he learns to define what contentment means in nine areas of his life: career, family, health, friendships, finances, leisure, spirituality, giving, and legacy. Writing the story caused me to look back at my own life--the things I did well and the many mistakes I made. It inspired me to write about nine nuggets that I wish I could go back in time to tell my younger self. Some I would have done the same all over again, others radically different. All, however, are worth putting down in writing to spur your thinking about things you need to start, stop, or continue.

Here they are:

Career: Your career can't take the place of family, health, leisure, and friendships - In the movie The Family Man, Nicholas Cage's character is a hard-charging investment banker who gets to see what his life would have been like as a middle-class husband and father. He comes to realize that there's much more to life than business. By all means, continue to vigorously pursue your career aspirations, but not at the expense of other important areas of your life.

Family: Don't squander memories - My father worked very hard as a baker; so much so that he missed out on many family events. In his last years he told me how he regretted missing so many events and milestones with my five siblings and me. Don't look back on your life regretting not being there for the memory makers.

Health: If you don't decide to take care of yourself, the decision will be made for you - I had an emotional breakdown at age 30 due to running myself ragged both mentally and physically. I thought I could just keep pushing and tough things out. Wrong. I had no choice but to stop and make some changes to get myself healthy again. If you don't focus on taking care of your health, something out of your control will happen to force you into action.

Friendships: Have a couple of friends who would help you out at 2 am, no questions asked - Recently I was on vacation when a tenant in our rental property called and said the washing machine wasn't working. I was 3,000 miles away and couldn't get there, so I called a dear friend who was at the rental in 30 minutes and addressed the problem. Having a couple of close friends you can rely on to help you out of a jam is worth gold. Being someone your friend can rely on is just as important.

Finances: No one cares about your finances more than you - When I graduated from college, I bought three books on investing. Those books formed the foundation for my investing discipline. At times, though, I let others who didn't have my best interests at heart manage investments on my behalf. Now I manage every dollar myself and keep current on investment strategies. Putting your money in the hands of a paid advisor will ensure bread is put on his or her table along with your money. Do as much of this on your own as you can.

Leisure: Work/life balance means slowing down, not speeding up - I've known way too many people who worked 60+ hours during the week only to cram "life" activities in the weekend. They had work/life balance, but it was achieved by running 100 miles per hour. Leisure time should include time to relax and recharge, so use at least some of it to rest, and be careful about trying to fit too many things into your life.

Spirituality: Walk the talk on your beliefs - Whatever your spiritual beliefs (mine are Christian), don't be a Jekyll and Hyde in what you say and what you do. Cursing up a storm in meetings during the work week then heading into church on Sunday just doesn't square. It's not about judging your belief system; it's more about ensuring your actions align to your beliefs.

Giving: Give out of love, not out of convenience or obligation - My son loves to cook. He regularly volunteers to cook and deliver meals to families in need. He loves to give of his time and money to help families who need a hot meal enjoy his cooking. The quantity and type of giving is up to you, just do it out of love and enjoy the gratification you get in return.

Legacy: Live to your eulogy - A number of years ago I created a personal purpose statement. After a lot of soul searching, I came up with: I will work to help others to help themselves and not simply enable them. When I die, I want people to say three words at my funeral: He helped me. If you have a personal purpose or mission statement, live it. If you don't have one, a book like The Purpose Driven Life might be helpful.

My hope is that you, my readers, might be able to glean something from my nine life lessons. If I help you do or think differently about some aspect of your life, then mission accomplished. Thank you for helping me live out my purpose statement. Oh and if you'd like to check out the book I wrote go here.

Lonnie Pacelli is an accomplished author and autism advocate with over 30 years experience in leadership and project management at Accenture, Microsoft, and Consetta Group. See books, articles, keynotes, and self-study seminars at http://www.lonniepacelli.com

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Lonnie_Pacelli/16297

Jim Rohn - FOCUS ON ONE THING (Jim Rohn Motivation)

 

https://youtu.be/4cfbvM-TFjY

Here's some great advice from Jim Rohn

These Decisions Can Increase Your Happiness

When you use smart decisions and self-awareness to shape your life, it will reflect your deepest aspirations and your fondest dreams. 

1. Make your life your own. Decide to re-decide. Re-examine your goals and dreams. Don't just assume that what you wanted yesterday is still the right thing for you. Have your goals and dreams changed? Give yourself the freedom to decide today what you want your life to be about. 

2. Make your job a joy. Decide to revitalize your career, or try a new one. Ask yourself if you're really happy and stimulated with your work. If you're not, or if you feel unappreciated or frustrated by a lack of advancement, consider a change. Understand the corporate agenda and be realistic about advancement opportunities at your present job. If you feel you need a change, you may be able to move to a different position or department within your company, or you may want to look for a new job entirely. If you stay at your present job, ask for raises and promotions, if you feel that you've earned them. 

3. Take it to the bank. Decide to secure your financial position. Get out of debt, keep yourself on a budget, invest your money wisely and keep abreast of your financial situation. Many women allow their partners to take care of financial matters, only to find themselves unprepared if they become divorced or widowed. Remember, financial stress is one of the greatest stressors of all. 

4. Why are you here? Decide to create meaning in your life. Identify the purpose and meaning of your life and define why you are here on earth. When you understand your purpose in life, losses are easier to bear and all other decisions are easier to make. 

5. Share your bounty. Decide to give something back. Donate money or put your talents, skills and experience to use by volunteering for causes you care about. People who volunteer have been found to be happier and healthier than those who don't. Remember that charity begins at home, so give to your own family, friends and neighbors. 

Whatever you choose, if you make smart decisions, the best is yet to come. Using your creativity, and giving back from the wisdom you've gained through experience, will enhance your value to others and to yourself. - excerpted from The Ten Smartest Decisions a Woman Can Make After Forty. 

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Tina_Tessina/34086