Goal Setting vs. Setting Intentions

On a recent goal setting call with my team, I realized how confusing the concept of goal setting can be. And, possibly why so few people achieve their "goals."
 
When I started in Network Marketing 10 years ago, I was taught to set monthly, yearly, 5 year, etc. income goals; how many people I would sponsor each month; how many leaders I would develop, how much volume my group would produce, etc.

What?!?!

And, to be honest, this always baffled me. I would sit with a blank piece of paper, and wonder why I just wasn't "getting it."

Sure, I could think up some arbitrary numbers, but without a clear road map or idea of how I was going to get there, I would quickly wad up the page and go turn on the TV. (Well, not quite, but almost!)

Once I was taught and I mastered the art of setting "intentions", and being very clear about what I needed to do each day in my business, things REALLY changed, and for the better!

Take responsibility and control

Setting intentions is really more about taking responsibility and control for the actions that YOU can and will complete.

To say one wants to earn $10,000 a month by the end of year one is great, but since Network Marketing is a volunteer army, one is depending on some other people to hold up their end of the rep agreement! Unless you can work 24/7 and never sleep!

But, to focus on simple, daily action steps such as - contacting 5 people a day (this can be done through email, via a website, a leads program, etc), 5 days a week about the business; making 5 follow up phone calls or emails from the contacts you create; and taking other various steps to build ones business (Networking via message forum postings, submitting articles for ezines, publishing an ezine, etc. - now that's the kind of "goal setting" that can create what one is REALLY looking for.

So, make your "business plan and goals sheet" about setting your intentions for each day, week, month and year, and then COMMIT to those intentions.

Follow through and DO IT.

Don't look back for 90 days, and commit those 90 days to solid intentions each and every day!

Be sure you set realistic intentions, too. Set yourself up for success with smaller numbers and smaller steps and then get them done. As you begin to feel more comfortable with the process, then you can begin to take bigger steps and set bigger intentions.

Align your attitude

Make sure your attitude is aligned with your intentions. Don't miss this key point.

If you intend to contact 5 potential prospects today, or make 5 message forum postings, make sure you are in a "Feel good" place to do so.

If you just had a fight with your boss, your teenager, your spouse, etc., you may want to postpone those promotions until you can get your energy in the place it needs to be. We are vibrational creatures and those we interact with pick up on ALL of our vibes, both good and bad.

Before you zip off that email or pick up the phone, close your eyes for 30 seconds and "play pretend!"

"See" before you exactly the outcome that you desire from those contacts. "Feel" the way you'll feel when you accomplish your goal! Combine the two for a "billion dollar vibration" sure to attract exactly what you are looking for.

Be appreciative for each experience and how you can grow from it.

Each day, before you begin, spend some time writing in your journal about what your daily intentions are. And, then get clear on your expected results, and finally....EXPECT those results to show up!

Belief is a POWERFUL thing and with it, all things are possible. And, we all believe something. Make sure you check what that belief is!

INTEND for 2004 to be your best year ever, and then EXPECT it! Keep your focus there and watch amazing things happen.

Jackie Ulmer is a veteran Network Marketer whose passion is inspiring others to succeed in their own dream. Contact her through her website at http://www.streetsmartwealth.com  and subscribe to her monthly newsletter at Streetsmartnews@quicktell.net