What happens to the goals that so many of us set? Why do so many of us stop before reaching our targets? What are your targets? Are you on track to meet them? How can you be sure you achieve what you want this month, next month and this year?

Here are 10 keys that unlock the door to making sure you hit your targets!



1. Write your goal(s) down. A goal not written down is just a wish. Studies have reported that only 1% of Americans write down their goals. In fact Yale University did a study where they interviewed a graduating class and asked if they had written down their life goals. Only 3% had. Twenty years later they interviewed them again and found that the 3% who had written down their goals earned more than the other 97% combined! There are hundreds of studies that prove that the simple act of writing down your goal significantly increases the likelihood of achieving it.

2. Set realistic and attainable goals. You have to believe it's possible; if you don't, you won't take the effort to make it happen. When we set unrealistic goals, we set ourselves up for failure, and that defeats one of the reasons we set goals, which is to grow our confidence.


3. Set "stretch" goals. The bigger the goal, the greater your sense of accomplishment when you achieve that goal. Every time we achieve a stretch goal we believe in ourselves a little more. It's like Zig Ziglar says, "when you can't see that far...go a little ways and you'll be able to see further."



4. Write down as many benefits to achieving the goal as you can think of. This is your "why." Your "why" is what holds you to your goal when obstacles appear (and they will appear). The more benefits there are to achieving your goal, the more you want it. The stronger your commitment will be to achieving it.


5. Commit. A goal is really a promise you make to yourself. When we break that promise we lose confidence. Make an absolute commitment to accomplishing your goal, no matter what! This builds confidence. None of us know what we are capable of or how good we could be. Every time we set a stretch goal and make it happen, we grow. We begin to see a little more clearly that we were created for greatness.

6. Persist. Acknowledge that there will be challenges that arise and obstacles that you will have to overcome. If we expect them, they won't surprise us when they hit. Persistence in the face of challenges is a confidence builder. You'll be able to say, "It was difficult, but I didn't quit!"



7. Know that persistence equals results, and results are the motivator. If you've ever been on a diet, you know it can be discouraging when, after a week of careful eating, you get on the scale and you haven't lost a single pound! Many of us would give up at that point. It's when we keep doing the right things in spite of being frustrated and discouraged, that we see results; that's when we get excited. We are motivated to keep going. We have to be persistent first, then we'll get the results.


8. Create an action plan. Break down what you will have to do each week, each month, to achieve your goal. Then, make an action plan to make that happen. Breaking it down makes it feel doable. Making an action plan will leave you feeling in control. Your action plan is your to-do list to achieve your goal. How many of us are more productive with a to-do list?


9. Take Action. Most people stop at number eight. Taking action is the piece that will move you to success. As a friend of mine often says, "you can make money or you can make excuses, but you can't make both." She is the top income earner in her company and has been for over 15 years earning as much as one million dollars annually.

10. Celebrate! Take time to celebrate and acknowledge your success along the way. When you've been careful and have met your action plan steps, celebrate your success, you deserve it!