Welcome back. This is the third post about goals and today we are looking a personal improvement. Personal improvement includes things like your health, your personality and your training. So what gets included in personal Improvement? We are talking about things like
- Self-awareness
- Inventory of skill sets
- Learning
- Health
- Public Service
So, just like the financial goals for the last blog they should also meet the SMART test and if you would add the 3 of my suggestions you’ll be right on target. To remind you I have included them here
- Goals need to be Specific.
- Goals need to be Measurable
- Goals must be Attainable
- Goals must be Relevant
- Goals must be Time-based
I also suggested that the following points are also important
- Goals need to be Written.
- Goals must be Reviewed
- Goals must generate some Passion.
Great, now that we have reviewed the fundamentals of goal setting let’s talk about Personal Improvement Goals. I first want you to take out your list of financial goals. You do have a list of financial goals, don’t you? Good. If you don’t you need to go back and work through those goals first.
I want you to look at your financial goals and answer some very personal and pointed questions about the difference between your present finances and the finances you want. In looking at the difference you will need to answer these questions
- Why don’t I have this now?
- What have I got to change to make these goals a reality?
- Do I need to make an investment in training or coaching?
- What weekend seminar can I go to that would help me with a specific issue?
- Do I need more formal education t reach my goal
- Why haven’t I done this in the past?
As you work through these questions, you will need to keep the answers focused on thing you have done or could do to close the gap. These are the things you will need to focus on to develop your Personal Improvement plan and then work them into your plan.
What if your financial goals are that you will be making $1,000 a month in consulting by December 31st but you have no idea how you are going to do that? Spend some time reviewing your skill sets and thinking about how you can make this happen. Let’s say you decide you need to have some training. And you will need to meet people that need this service. So your goal could be set out like this.
I make $1,000 a month from consulting By December 31 of this year.
To meet my goal I have invested in specialized training.
I find the material easy to understand and it is mentally engaging.
I meet people regularly that need my assistance to be successful.
I get excited when I talk to people about what I can offer them and they are open to my offers.
I help X number of people per week become more successful.
If you’re like most of us you also have some fitness goals but instead of saying I have lost 20 pounds you might want to be more specific like
I weight 190lb by June 1st.
I find exercise easy and enjoyable.
I have increased my energy level because of my exercise level.
I eat right and I also eat the right amounts.
You can also include your personal achievement goals in this group such as
I have finished my College diploma and have officially graduated.
I have past my last course with a grade in the 90s.
So the major focus is on what you’re going to need to meet your financial goals along with the personal health targets. I hope you are seeing that all your goals are focused on moving you forward. This can’t happen if you have a skill that is missing or your have a character flaw that you have not addressed.
Take the time to work out these goals. It will pay off in spades if you just do this. And although it will take some time, for the most part it’s not that hard.
Have any questions, just leave a comment or email me and I’ll see what I can do to help out.
Chat soon
Percy