Setting and Achieving Your Goals

 Goals and Objectives  1 Response »
Jan 232013
 

GoalsI watched Brian Tracy’s “Mindsets of the Wealthy & Mistakes Made by the Poor” video and following is a summary of Brian Tracy’s 12 Step Method to Setting and Achieving Your Goals:

  1. Decide exactly what you want in each key area of your life (income, family, health, net worth) – Clarity of focus
  2. Write it down - goals take on a power of their own when they are written down. Goals must be clear specific and measurable – only 3% of people have written goals (people with written goals are generally worth ten times more than people who don’t)
  3. Set a deadline – break your goals down into sub-deadlines
  4. Identify the obstacles that you will have to overcome to achieve your goal. Why aren’t you already achieving your goals?  Theory of Constraints – there is always one limiting factor or constraint that sets the speed at which you can achieve your goal. Identify what it is. The 80/20 Rule applies – 80% of the reasons that are holding you back are inside yourself.
  5. Identify the knowledge, information and skills you will need to achieve your goal. If you want to achieve new goals you will need to acquire new knowledge and skills. Your weakest key skill, sets the height of your income and your success. Improving the one weak skill will enable you to make the biggest progress. What one key skill if  developed further will have the greatest positive impact in your life?
  6. Identify the people whose help and cooperation you will require to achieve your goal. To be successful you need the help of a number of people. Make a list of the people you need to help you achieve your goal. This may include your customers and collaborators. The most successful people are those who build and maintain the largest networks of other people whom they can help and who can help them in return.
  7. Make a list of everything you will have to do to achieve your goal. Writing out a list transforms your thinking in a positive way. Determine the amount of time, money and resources needed to achieve your goals. Writing out a checklist of all the things you need to do from the beginning to the end to achieve a goal increases the likelihood of achieving your goal. Anything can be accomplished if you break it down into enough small steps. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
  8. Organize your list into a plan. Firstly, organize your list by sequence – What do you have to do before you can do something else? Next organize your list by priority – What is more important and what is less important?
  9. Make a plan. Organize your list into a series of steps from the start to the end of completing your goal. Think on paper and plan each day, week and month in advance.
  10. Select your number 1 most important task for each day. This is the key to time management. Set priorities on your list using the 80/20 Rule. What is the number one priority I need to do first that will be the most valuable use of my time? Identify the top seven tasks organized by sequence and priorities. Focus and concentrations are the keys to success. Focus means that you are clear on exactly what you wish to accomplish and concentration requires that you dedicate yourself to doing those things that move you towards your most important goal.
  11. Develop the habit of self-discipline. There seems to be a direct correlation between self-discipline and success in every part of life. The number one reason that people do not succeed is that they can’t discipline themselves to do the planning and preparation, and then the hard work necessary. To discipline yourself, you make a list of everything you have to do during the day, you set priorities on your list and start on your most important task first thing. You also need to discipline yourself to keep working. Once you have decided on your most important task, resolve to concentrate single-mindedly on that one task until it is 100% complete. Single handling can increase your productivity as much as 500%. Once you have developed the habit of completing your tasks, you will earn between two to five times as much as other people. Self-esteem comes from task completion which motivates you to complete even bigger tasks.
  12. Practise visualization on your goals. Create clear, vivid, exciting, emotional pictures of your goals as if they were already a reality. Get the feeling of what you have achieved. A mental picture combined with an emotion has enormous impact on your subconscious mind. It activates the Law of Attraction to attract everything you need (ideas, people, resources etc) to make the picture a reality.

Dr John Kapeleris

Did you like this? Share it:

Effective Execution

 Action  2 Responses »
Jan 092013
 

Effective Execution“Success comes from transforming thoughts, ideas and opportunities into action”. John Kapeleris

Despite the emphasis on taking massive action and getting things done as the cornerstone of success, we continue to make new year’s resolutions that dissipate within a few weeks of starting the new year. Individuals and corporations find it difficult to effectively execute personal and strategic initiatives. Although we have clear goals and objectives, detailed plans and the commitment to achieve the results we want, we continue to struggle with effective implementation. Therefore, what can we do to implement effective execution in our personal and business lives?

Gilbert, Buchel and Davidson in their book “Smarter Execution: Seven Steps to Getting Results” identify seven steps to achieving effective execution:

  1. Focus first – Focus can provide clarity and at the same time magnification of the tasks we want to achieve. If we focus on the high value tasks that will make the difference in our work and personal lives, then we can easily execute our plans.
  2. Pick the best possible team (resources) – You need to have the right skills and capabilities for effective execution. If you are assembling a team of people ensure that you have the correct alignment of skills with the tasks required. If the skill set is not available internally then it should be outsourced.
  3. Set the course – You need to set a clear direction of where we want to go and develop clear execution steps that remove confusion.
  4. Play to win – The team and its members need to possess a winning spirit. Strong personal motives can drive projects and tasks to successful completion.
  5. Think it through – You need to think through the foreseeable future steps and have in place alternative courses of action. Mental rehearsal provides a clear pathway but at the same time can anticipate potential impediments that can be overcome in advance. It is important to think through the resources required, reviewing the key success factors and being prepared for any risks for the upcoming execution steps.
  6. Get all aboard – Every team member must be committed to the vision and direction of the project. Communication will be an important factor to ensure the team is informed of the progress against the agreed vision and direction. Any deviation should be evaluated, agreed and communicated to the team.
  7. Follow through – One of the critical steps in achieving effective execution is the follow through. The lack of follow through could certainly guarantee failure.

Wishing you a happy, prosperous and successful New Year 2013!

Dr John Kapeleris

 

Did you like this? Share it:

Increasing Personal Productivity

 Goals and Objectives, Self-discipline, Success  No Responses »
Jun 042012
 

Productivity in our work and personal lives involves focusing on the key goals and objectives, developing a project plan, identifying the key value-adding tasks, and executing the plan by taking action. It may come as a surprise that many people struggle with this basic approach to achieving personal productivity. Many reasons can be identified for losing focus and not taking the appropriate action to achieve the desired outcomes.

The first issue lies within our minds. The human brain, although powerful and complex, if not trained appropriately can only handle a limited number of tasks at any one time (the literature generally states about seven tasks or pieces of information). As the brain becomes overwhelmed and stretched to perform, it begins to forget important items in the process. The brain does not generally think sequentially or in a linear manner. It thinks more in a random or radial manner.

The second issue involves interruptions from colleagues, unscheduled meetings, the telephone, email or the influence of external people. Interruptions should be avoided and removed from your daily work environment. This can be done by closing the office door, finding a quiet place to concentrate, checking emails at specific periods of the day (morning, midday and late afternoon), making all your calls in the morning and late afternoon, and delegating as many tasks as possible.

The last issue involves lack of clarity and focus. Focus can be achieved through concentration and structured thinking. The mind has to be reinforced that focus and action are the key drivers to achieving successful outcomes from a project. In addition, clarity can be achieved by removing the clutter and blocks that exist in our minds.

Following are the key steps that will increase your personal productivity:

  1. Use structured thinking to provide clarity and focus
  2. Focus on the key goals and objectives
  3. Develop a project plan and identify the key value-adding tasks
  4. Assign time limits on each of the tasks
  5. Take immediate action
  6. Maintain the self-discipline

We all struggle to remain productive and achieve optimal outcomes. The key to success involves focus and action.

Dr John Kapeleris

Did you like this? Share it:

Only Three Percent of the Population Set Goals and Objectives

 Goals and Objectives  No Responses »
Dec 142011
 

“You may never know what results come of your action, but if you do nothing there will be no result.” — Gandhi

We are fast approaching Christmas and this is always a sign that we have once again reached the end of another calendar year. I always find the end of the year to be a time of reflection and review. It is also a time to evaluate the progress of your life purpose, goals and objectives that were set at the start of the year or the longer term goals set in previous years. Your life purpose, goals and objectives should be part of your Personal Development Plan.

The end of the year also offers a fresh start for activities that we had intended to do but never got around to doing them. Although I had previously stated that any day can be the start of the rest of your life, the end of the year can be a special time because it can provide closure to outstanding action items that may no longer be relevant, but also removing limiting beliefs by leaving them behind in the current year. The dawning of a new year provides the incentive to start a fresh action list and the motivation to get things done.

Many people make New Year’s resolutions, however, they quickly discover that the resolutions fade even before the first quarter of the calendar year is reached. It is not just about making New Year’s resolutions at the dawn of the New Year, it is about making a committed effort to set written goals and objectives for the coming year and for the medium to longer term timeframe. Numerous studies have shown only three percent of the population set goals and only about one percent actually write them down.

I challenge you to make a committed effort, that is, take ACTION, to review your previous goals and objectives, and/or to set new goals and objectives for 2012. Begin by identifying the major achievements and highlights for 2011. These could include work achievements, financial objectives, family highlights, personal development, educational achievements or personal success outcomes. Achievements should also be acknowledged and celebrated to ensure mental reinforcement and capitalizing on the motivation that this can provide to your subconscious mind. I try to reward myself when I achieve a particular goal or objective. For example, I will buy a gift for myself that reminds me of the success that I have achieved, or I will organise a special holiday trip for myself and my family. In early December of 2011 I took the family to Hawaii for 17 days to celebrate a very successful 2011. In previous years I bought myself a Tag Heuer watch to remind me of a successful multi-million dollar deal I had closed in the year.

I use a visual journal with white pages to document my goals and objectives for the new calendar year. Once I complete this activity I then develop Action Plans for the major goals and objectives. Throughout the year I periodically review my goals and revise any action plans that are not progressing as expected. You should also prepare a vision board which consists of a portfolio of visual material or a collage of images that portray your vision, goals and objectives. The vision board helps to stimulate your reticular activating system in your mind to reaffirm your subconscious.

Like most people I also identify a few missed opportunities or disappointments for the year. This allows me to learn from the experience so that I can strengthen my future plans moving forward. Go ahead and document the missed opportunities and disappointments. Ask yourself, “What could I have done differently to capitalise on the missed opportunities or overcame the disappointments?”, and document potential changes and actions for the future. Don’t spend too much time regretting the missed opportunities. The rest of your life starts now, therefore focus on your future goals and plans for 2012. Some of these goals could also be carried over from 2011. Particularly goals that were over ambitious, which is common amongst high achievers.

I had also previously posted a number of blog entries that can provide further detailed information on developing your goals and objectives (see below). Furthermore, I have included a Personal Development Plan Template that may also be used as a guide.

What are your key goals, objectives and action plans for 2012?

Have a merry Christmas and I wish you every success for the New Year in 2012!

Dr John Kapeleris

Did you like this? Share it:

Your Personal Development Plan

 Personal Development  4 Responses »
Sep 062011
 

A personal development plan is an important tool that can help you achieve the life that you desire. It is amazing to find that the majority of people I meet do not have a personal development plan, yet many complain that they are not satisfied in life and that their life is meandering without progress or achievement.  A successful personal development plan can take you from where you are now to where you want to be by filling the gaps in your journey. To develop a successful personal development plan you need the following:

  • A vision
  • A positive attitude
  • Commitment
  • Self-discipline

I have used a simple three-step process in developing my personal development plan that I would like to share with you:

  1. Identify where you are now. What have been your significant achievements? What have been your disappointments? What are your strengths and weaknesses? Do you know what is holding you back in grasping new opportunities in life?
  2. Determine where you want to be. What do you need to do to get to the next level i.e. your purpose, goals and objectives in your personal and working life? What are the weaknesses you need to address and the priority areas to focus?
  3. Develop a personal development plan. What are the actions you will need to take, when are you going to achieve them, and how will you achieve them? What resources and assistance will you require?

A personal development plan can include a number of different elements based on your specific needs. It can be a specific plan focusing on the important goals and objectives you want to achieve, or it could be a more detailed life plan that includes the following elements:

  • Your life purpose or vision
  • Your dreams and desires
  • Your values and beliefs
  • Your achievements and disappointments
  • Your short, medium and long-term goals and objectives
  • Your personal education plan
  • Your action plan

To develop your personal development plan the following steps provide a good framework:

Step 1 Brainstorm your life purpose and your goals and objectives

  • Take a sheet of paper or use a journal determine your life purpose or vision. List all your goals and objectives. They could also include your dreams and desires in life and a vision of the “Ideal You”.
  • Some people have suggested you list 100 goals for this step, but if you can’t get to 100 don’t worry
  • Once you have your list then prioritize and label each as follows: 1 = goals to be achieved in one year or less, 3 = goals that are two to three years out, 5 = goals that will take about five years to achieve, and 10 = your ten-year goals and dreams.

Step 2 Focus on your One Year goals

  • Ensure your goals satisfy the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Time-based) criteria and rewrite if required.
  • Group your goals under the following categories:
    • Financial/Material Goals
    • Business/Career Goals
    • Personal Relationship/Social Goals
    • Health & Recreational Goals
    • Personal Development & Growth Goals
  • Further prioritize your goals under each category. I usually have 4 – 5 goals for each category and I prioritize further by asking what are the more important goals that will have the biggest impact in my life.

Step 3 Develop Action Plans for each goal

  • Write each goal at the top of a fresh page and develop the details of your plan.
  • Break down the plan into workable individual tasks. Assign a completion date for each task.
  • Some goals may require the assistance of other people. You will need to assign specific tasks to the individual people identified who can assist you with your plan.

Step 4 Repeat Steps 2 and 3 above for your 3, 5 and 10 year goals

  • Some of your longer term goals may be dreams or desires. You will need to convert these dreams and desires into specific and defined individual goals with timeframes. The individual goals together with their specific tasks and actions, collectively will achieve your overall dreams.
  • Long term goals require periodic review to ensure you are on track to achieving the outcomes that you have documented in your plan.
  • You may need to revise your plans if you discover that you are not progressing as originally planned.

Step 5 Take Action

  • You now have the winning combination of a goal with a plan.
  • Take action immediately with the highest priority goals.
  • Commitment and self-discipline will be needed to work on your goals and plans every day. Do something every day, no matter how small, to move towards achieving your goals.
  • Document your progress in a journal or diary and make any adjustments, if required.
  • Celebrate your success and achievements by rewarding yourself.

You can use the attached Personal Development Plan Template as a guide to assist you in starting and further developing your own plan.

Dr John Kapeleris

Did you like this? Share it:

How to Create Your Own Vision Board

 Goals and Objectives  2 Responses »
May 232011
 

Having completed another decade of goals and objectives I decided to update my vision board for the new decade to capture my big audacious goals for the future. A vision board consists of a portfolio of visual material or a collage of images that portray your vision of the goals and objectives you wish to achieve. It is a representation of the future story of yourself.

The purpose of a vision board is to help stimulate your reticular activating system (RAS) in your mind to reaffirm your subconscious through the visual images on the board. By periodically viewing the vision board you reinforce your subconscious through your RAS. The RAS is part of your brain that filters out external information and focuses on those things that are important to you. We all have it. As an example, for a period of time after you purchase a new car your mind automatically notices the same car on the road.

When I was younger I remember cutting out pictures of items that I wanted to acquire, for example, a new motor vehicle, a holiday or new stereo system. I would stick these pictures next to my desk and then begin to save money as quickly as possible to be in a position to purchase the particular item. I would view the pictures when I sat at my desk daily, which would motivate me to focus on achieving my goals and objectives. Before I knew it I had purchased the item and I was enjoying the benefits. Before long I had another picture of something new that I wanted in my life. I would also raise the bar or standard of my aspirations with each picture I posted. This process is not that different to creating your personal vision board.

How to Create Your Own Vision Board

Creating a vision board is simple and it can be a lot of fun. If you have children or teenagers it’s great to introduce this concept to them at an early age as this will help to focus their future aspirations.

Step 1. If you haven’t already documented your goals and objectives this is the first thing you must do. Using your goals and objectives as a guide collect pictures, photos and power words that closely represent the outcomes of your goals and objectives. The pictures, photos and power words can be sourced from magazines, brochures or downloaded from the internet. The vision board theme should reflect the future story of yourself. As a guide you can consider the following areas of your life:

  1. What are your future dreams and aspirations that reflect the theme of your vision board?
  2. What work would you be doing?
  3. Where would you be living?
  4. What would your home look like?
  5. What would you be driving?
  6. What personal things would you have?
  7. Who would be part of your life?
  8. What activities are important to you?
  9. What are your personal development, health and wealth objectives?
  10. What are some of the intrinsic goals in your life?

Step 2. Purchase a large poster board consisting of thick card or foam-backed paper. Arrange the pictures that you have collected together with the key words to create visual representations that resonate with your dreams and aspirations.

Step 3. Once you have decided on the structure of your arrangement glue your pictures and words onto the poster. Some people prefer to design a collage of pictures while others prefer to space out and organise a defined group of images and labels. It is important to add the date you created your vision board and also the dates by which you want to achieve the visual goals that you have pasted on your poster.

Step 4. Strategically place the vision board in a location that allows you to view it every day. I have it placed on a wall in the room connected to the garage so that I can view it every time I leave the house in the morning. Some people like to view their vision boards just before they go to sleep and just as they wake up in the morning, as these times are best aligned with a relaxed state of your mind when your subconscious is best able to absorb the visual images.

Step 5. Periodically review and update your vision board. As you achieve some of the goals on your vision board you can update the board with fresh images that can continue to inspire and motivate you. You may also find that over time you have different goals and objectives depending on your situation, which will also need to be updated on your vision board.

You can also use a computer based software that can create your vision board electronically, which can also be displayed as your screen saver. The best software for creating vision boards that I have found is Vision Board Studio.

I encourage you to create your vision board as soon as possible so that you can start using the underlying power of the tool to help you achieve your goals and objectives. Once you have developed your vision board the next step is to start living the goals and objectives. For example, if you have a dream car on your vision board go to the local dealer, get into the car, feel and smell the interior and go for a test drive. I have done this numerous times. I remember doing this with a watch some time ago. I made a commitment to myself that if I achieve my business goals in a particular financial year and receive my bonus I would purchase a watch that would commemorate the achievement. Periodically in that year I would visit the jewelery store and try on that watch. I would look at it and feel it on my arm. Every time I did this I would be even more motivated to achieving my business goals that would yield the watch as an outcome.

Dr John Kapeleris

Did you like this? Share it:

Review Progress of Your Goals and Objectives

 Goals and Objectives  No Responses »
Apr 022011
 

The first quarter of the calendar year has now been reached which is an excellent time to evaluate the progress of your goals and objectives that were set at the start of the year or the longer term goals set in previous years.

Many people who made New Year’s resolutions, instead of writing down their goals and objectives, and developing plans, will now be discovering that the resolutions have faded, even before the first quarter of the calender year is reached. It is not just about making New Year’s resolutions at the dawn of the New Year, it is about making a committed effort to set written goals and objectives for the coming year and for the medium to longer term timeframe.

I challenge you to make a committed effort in the next week to take ACTION to review your current goals and objectives. If you haven’t set written goals and objectives for 2011 it is not too late.  Following are a number of blog entries that can provide further detailed information on developing your goals and objectives:

You may want to use a visual journal with white pages to document your goals and objectives. Once you complete this activity you need to develop detailed Action Plans for the major goals and objectives. This will ensure that you have the best opportunity to begin implementing your plans.

Furthermore, I have included a Personal-Development-Plan-Template that may also be used as a guide.

What does your personal development plan look like?

To your success for 2011 and beyond!

Dr John Kapeleris

Did you like this? Share it:

The Power of Focus

 Mind, Personal Development, Self-discipline  5 Responses »
Feb 142011
 

In our current busy world being able to concentrate and focus is extremely important for work and everyday life. Focus can provide clarity and at the same time magnification of the tasks we want to achieve. If we focus on the high value tasks that will make the difference in our work and personal lives, then we can easily become successful. Focus has made many individuals and organizations achieve success beyond the achievements of their their nearest rivals who may be more diversified. e.g. compare Intel with Motorola – Intel is focused on silicon chips while Motorola is involved in a number of different products.

The key questions you will need to consider when determining your level of focus are:

  1. Am I focused on my strengths?
  2. Am I focused on high value activities to achieve my goals and objectives?
  3. Do I need to shift my focus?

Al Reis has been a strong advocate of “Focus”. He has stated that success is achieved in business and personal life when you narrow the focus. Al Reis also described a number of characteristics related to focus, including:

  1. Focus is simple, memorable, powerful and revolutionary
  2. Focus needs enemies, is the future, is internal and helps organizations and nations
  3. Focus is selective, easy to find, long-term, but isn’t forever

If you want to improve the concentration and focus of your mind, then you need to work out and exercise your brain.  The correct brain exercises will improve the way your brain works, and develop better focus and concentration. Brain exercises are excellent tools for people of any age who would like to strengthen their mind! Following are some simple and effective brain exercises that can help you develop and improve your brain concentration:

  1. Crossword or Sudoku puzzles. Crossword and Sudoku puzzles can help improve your concentration and at the same time are a lot of fun.  Crossword puzzles are great for strengthening your long-term memory, while Sudoku is great for improving logic based problem-solving. Taking only 15 minutes daily to work on crossword or Sudoku puzzles can benefit you. You can purchase a crossword or Sudoku puzzle book, check your daily newspaper, or search online to find free  puzzles.
  2. Eat foods that help your brain. Your brain will stay healthy and function effectively if nourished with nutritious foods. Proteins are great for the brain, and may be found in cheeses, meats, fish, and milk. Complex carbohydrates are important as well, and these come from fruits, vegetables, and grains. The brain also needs some fat, derived from healthy oils like olive oil or fish oils. Eat foods that include Omega-3s, such as trout, salmon, and tuna. Some nuts contain these fats as well and are healthy food for the brain. Other specific foods associated with improved brain function include, cacao beans (chocolate), green tea, Greek-style yogurt, blueberries, flak seeds and broccoli. Of course you will also need plenty of water – about two litres per day.
  3. Exercise regularly. Exercise not only improves your health and fitness, it also provides important oxygen and glucose to the brain through increased blood circulation. Walking briskly is one of the easiest and effective exercise routines to assist in brain function.
  4. Changing your daily routine. Changing your daily routine takes you outside your comfort zone, which challenges your brain. This influences and and improves your problem solving abilities. One way of achieving this is taking a different route to work or changing your morning exercise routine.
  5. Start a new hobby. Trying a new hobby is another way to expand your interests and use your brain to learn something new. Being busy and learning new things expand the way the brain thinks and gets you out of a rut. Join a local club or take a class at a hobby store or community college. Challenging yourself and improving brain function is something that any person can do.
  6. Brain training games and puzzles. Mental exercise for the brain can be achieved through brain training games and puzzles. Brain activities and puzzles can enhance the logical, analytical, creative, spatial, memory and problem solving abilities of the brain.

Make just one change today to stimulate your brain. You won’t notice any drastic changes overnight, but with time and practice, eventually you’ll find that you can solve problems more easily, improve your memory and enjoy improved concentration and focus.

Dr John Kapeleris

_________________________________________________________________________

Try the following Brain Puzzles and add your answers as comments:

  1. A man and woman are walking together. At this very moment their right feet are striking the ground. For every 3 steps taken by the woman the man takes 2 steps. How many steps must each take before their left feet strike the ground together?
  2. A horse trader brings a string of horses to a horse fair. As admission charge, he gives up one of his horses. At the fair he sells one half of those remaining and on the way out he is charged one horse as a trading fee.
    He proceeds to a second fair where similar conditions prevail. There he pays one horse to get in , sells half his horses he still has on hand and pays a single horse as a trading fee.
    Not content he proceeds to a third fair. Here again he pays one horse to get in , sells half of his horses remaining and is charged a single horse as a trading fee. He then has one horse left which he rides home with the proceeds.
    How many horses did he start with?
  3. A bag contains one marble, known to be either black or white. A white marble is dropped into the bag and shaken, and a marble is drawn out, which proves to be white. What is now the chance of drawing a white marble?
  4. A man pointed to a one person in a family portrait and stated, “Brothers and sisters have I none, but that man’s father is my father’s son”. Who did he point to?
  5. A hunter travelling by train to the forest carries with him his gun, which is 2.3 metres long. Unfortunately, the baggage regulations of the train company do not allow any object more than 2 metres long. How does the hunter get around the rule?

Good luck!

Did you like this? Share it:

A Life Without Limits

 Goals and Objectives, Opportunities, Self-discipline  1 Response »
Jan 172011
 

In establishing your life purpose and lifelong ambitions the best way to start is to think about your passions and interests in a world without limitations or constraints. For example, if you were given the option of any position or career in the world what would you choose?

However, we generally find ourselves in a paradigm that is familiar to us, has clearly defined boundaries and has become comfortable. We have learned to become complacent with what is presented to us and we don’t generally challenge the status quo. As a result we get the same thing out of life that we have always gotten, because we don’t do anything differently and many of us try to avoid change.

The world is changing at such a dramatic rate that we must also adapt to the changing environment. We must stop and think about our current situation, and determine whether our life path is being driven by ourselves or influenced by external people. We therefore need to re-evaluate our purpose and ambitions in life.

Following are a set of questions that I have used to identify my passions and desires in a life without limits. Try answering the questions below as an exercise to better understand your defining purpose and your ambitions in life.

1. If I wrote a book, the book would be about…

2. If I produced a movie, it would be…

3. If I painted a picture, the subject would be…

4. If I wrote a stand-up comedy routine, I would tell stories about…

5. If I composed a song, I would write about…

6. If I was going to do something nobody would expect me to do, I would…

7. If I was going to cook a meal for a number of friends, I would cook…

8. If I won $5000 to throw the party of the year, I would make it memorable by…

9. If I designed my dream home, it would have…

10. If I designed my ideal vacation home, it would certainly have…

11. If I could be paid to study any subject for a whole year, I would study…

12. If I could spend two months anywhere in the world, I would go to…

13. If I could live anywhere in the world, I would live in…

14. If I could have dinner with anyone on the planet, I would want to dine with…

Don’t hesitate. Give the task a go. You will never know what new ideas or opportunities emerge.

To your success!

Dr John Kapeleris

Did you like this? Share it:

Happy 2011! Today is the start of the rest of your life!

 Action, Goals and Objectives, Personal Development, Self-discipline  1 Response »
Jan 052011
 

The start of the New Year is a signpost that always brings a feeling of a new awakening and subsequent change.  Many people will set New Year’s resolutions that will not be followed through. Others will continue doing the same old thing and getting the same result. A small percentage of people will set new written goals and objectives, and develop detailed action plans for their major projects, that will ultimately achieve their ambitions and success.

I came across the “10 Commandments of Goal Setting” on the GoalsGuy.com website that I thought may be of value to you:

  1. Thou Shall Be Decisive – Success is a choice. You must decide what you want, why you want it, and how you plan to achieve it. No one else can, will, or should do that for you.
  2. Thou Shall Stay Focused – A close relative to being decisive, but your ability to sustain your focus from beginning to end determines the timing and condition of your outcomes.
  3. Thou Shall Welcome Failure – The fundamental question is not whether you should accept failure. You have no choice but to expect it as a temporary condition on the pathway of progress. Rather, the question is how to anticipate failure and redirect resources to grow from the experience.
  4. Thou Shall Write Down Thou Goals – Your mind while blessed with permanent memory is cursed with lousy recall. People forget things. Avoid the temptation of being cute. Write down your goals.
  5. Thou Shall Plan Thoroughly – Planning saves time and resources in execution. Proper planning prevents poor performance.
  6. Thou Shall Involve Others – Nobody goes through life alone. Establish your own “Personal Board of Directors“, people whose wisdom, knowledge and character you respect to help you achieve your goals.
  7. Thou Shall Take Massive Action – Success is not a spectator sport – achievement demands action. You cannot expect to arrive at success without having made the trip.
  8. Thou Shall Reward Thyself – Rewards work! Think of what you will give yourself as a result of your hard work, focus and persistence – you deserve it!
  9. Thou Shall Inspect What Thou Expect – The Shelf life of all plans is limited. No plan holds up against opposition. Everything changes. Therefore inspect and review frequently and closely, it’s an insurance policy on your success.
  10. Thou Shall Maintain Personal Integrity – Maintain your commitment to your promise. Set your goals, promise yourself that you will achieve them. Eliminate complacency and excuses. That’s personal integrity!

Start today, and set your goals and objectives that will influence the rest of your life!

Dr John Kapeleris

Did you like this? Share it:
 Older Entries