Chapter 2

GOALS

The state of mind; I must do something, solves more problems than; something must be done.

The first thing you must do is set a goal.  You have to get a fine focus on what it is you want to accomplish.  You have to have an intense idea of where you want to be and determine at the same time, the price you’re willing to pay to get there.

The other thing you must realize is there is a tremendous price to be paid and it must be paid in full and in advance.  There are no shortcuts and no discounts given at the retail counter of success.

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Identify and quantify your goals.  Write down what you want to earn…today, tomorrow, this week, this month, this year and next year.  Your financial goals, as any other goal, must be measurable.  Remember this always.  What gets measured gets done.

You’re probably thinking right now, "I don’t need to write those things down.  I know what my goals are."

Well, let me tell you something.  If you’re not writing your goals down and looking at them everyday, you’re engaging in what is known as self-delusional behavior.  In short, you’re kidding yourself!

The main reason people hesitate to write down their goals and read them are because it involves commitment!  It involves a commitment to themselves, their job, their family, their friends, everything!  And, human beings hate to commit because they’re afraid they will fail.

When people don’t write down their goals, their plan, and a deadline to achieve what they want, and then fail, sub-consciously they accept it because they really weren’t committed in the first place.

They would rather tell themselves; "It wasn’t possible in the first place."___ "I didn’t make it but I did all right."___ "Business is slow everywhere."___ "If it hadn’t been for that storm."  There’s no end to the reasons for failure. Chin music!  Excuses!

Writing down your goals represents a starting point and clear commitment to your future.  When you put something down on paper and write, I can, I will, I earn, and sign it, you are in fact, taking a great leap of faith into the great unknown.  It takes courage of conviction.  It is a great act of courage.  But more importantly, it involves a commitment!

Remember that the direct opposite of clear, specific, well-defined goals is aimlessness, confusion, self-doubt, self-limitation, unhappiness, under-achievement, and ultimate failure.

Everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die!  Are you starting to see the picture?

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In summary, you must have a goal, you must identify that goal, you have to know what your reward will be for reaching the goal, and you have to make a commitment, in writing, to yourself, signed by you, and…every single day, read it at least three times a day!

Chapter 3

MAKE A PLAN

Plan, plan, plan, plan, plan…I can’t emphasize this enough.  Without a plan, you have nothing!  You need to know how you’re going to get to where you want to be.  You need to know what it’s going to take and be willing to do all that is necessary to get there, before you start.

That means there may be certain things you have to give up in your life such as that drink after work, gossiping with the troops at the coffee pot, giving up that night out or the weekend, and so on.  Whatever it takes, you’ve got to have your plan laid out and stick to it until you reach ‘heaven’!

I’m not going to spend a lot of time here.  It’s really very simple so keep it that way.  A plan is merely a blueprint to keep you on track.  However, if you don’t have a plan, the only blueprint you have is, failure.

I’ve worked for businesses that didn’t survive.  The one that stands out in my mind was a car dealer who was the best in his group for years and then started to decline.  The biggest reason for the decline was the man had no plan to become better.

His theory of doing business was the SWAG Theory.  Scientific Wild Ass Guesswork!  Throw as much crap as you can on the wall and some is bound to stick!  Ultimately, the only thing stuck on the wall was his failing business!

Because of his inability and unwillingness to develop a plan that would improve his image, get rid of destructive employees with bad attitudes, attract better employees, and take better care of his customer base, he lost a great deal of his market-share.  And…he handled two of the hottest selling car lines in the world, Ford and Toyota.  Dumb!  Dumb!  Dumb!

The only thing he had to look forward to being was a no growth existence until the business was sold.  He never thrived because he had no plan!

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Remember; commit your plan to writing.  Keep it where you can look at it everyday.  Stick to it and do the things, everyday, you’ve committed yourself to do.

I might add, if something in your plan is not working, don’t be afraid to change it.  Change is good as long as it’s in a positive direction.  You’ll know when something isn’t working and when it isn’t, change it!  As long as you keep your goal in mind, you can alter the plan, as you need to.  Just don’t stick with a loser, and by all means, don’t let your ego dictate your goal.