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Goal Setting: Specific vs. General

Written by: Jeanna Gabellini

Article Overview: It's a new year and I look at it as a clean slate in which to create. Create anything I want. It doesn't matter what goals I didn't get or did get last year. I get to dream and plan for this year with no baggage from the past. I will take the lessons learned and make some new success habits. But it is just so darn exciting to be sitting with a fresh canvas upon which I get to create!

Goal Setting: Specific vs. General

It's a new year and I look at it as a clean slate in which to create. Create anything I want. It doesn't matter what goals I didn't get or did get last year. I get to dream and plan for this year with no baggage from the past. I will take the lessons learned and make some new success habits. But it is just so darn exciting to be sitting with a fresh canvas upon which I get to create!

If you are anything like me, sometimes I've had the same goal on the list for several years and it's not very exciting to put in on the goal list again. It is actually frustrating to put it in my top 6 goals of the year. All it does is remind me that I haven't gotten it yet. I start analyzing why I "failed." That's not very joyful! In fact, that keeps you focused on exactly the opposite of what you do want. So, guess what? All the goals that have been on the list for 2 or more years are being taken off. Do I still want them? Heck yeah! I want them a lot. But that is part of the problem. I am so darn attached to having them NOW, I won't let them in. I have a negative charge on the goals. This also means I am not trusting. Argh! What do I do?

Well, first of all, it feels like relief to take them off the goal list. In all honesty, my life is full, abundant, and truly complete. The only time it doesn't feel complete is when I look at the things that I want and I don't have yet. Vicious circle, huh?! So, if I get very present and connected to my heart, I feel at peace. From that grounded state, I can create some goals for the year that feel exciting and seem attainable.

One of the tricks to creating a list like this is tuning into how it feels when I get specific versus being general about each goal/desire. For instance, several years ago I had a goal of a six figure income. I did not say $100,000 or more. That would feel too real and my mind automatically started to try to figure out how in the heck I was going to do that. But stating a six figure income kept it more general. That seemed to keep my trust level up. It can also work the opposite way. Earlier in the year, I was in a situation where I needed some money fast for my family. It looked like the responsibility of creating it was falling on me. So, I stated clearly the amount I wanted in the next 2 weeks. I focused on it mentally everyday. I was excited about it. Money came out of the woodwork and I had more than enough to pay for everything that was needed. Being specific in this case worked beautifully. You have to use your emotions as the barometer.

It is important to pay attention to how you feel while stating your intentions. I know a ton of speakers and authors out there encourage you to be very specific about goals. I agree, but only to the point in which it keeps your emotional vibe in a good place. This year my money goal (I personally love money goals but this does not mean that everybody needs to create money goals.) I want to triple my income again. That feels good. Last year I said $3 million and I couldn't really get solid about it. I had other issues going on that received more attention than the joy of $3 million. That goal seemed to be getting farther and farther from reach. My believability went down the tubes. So, you need to state each goal in a way the feels empowering to you.

Things to remember when creating your goals for 2005:

1. State your goals in a way that feels solid for you.
2. Choose no more than 6 big goals. This makes it easier for you to focus.
3. There is no pressure to create any goal. These are your personal goals to bring you joy.
4. Don't compare your goals to anybody else's, unless you are using them to inspire yourself.
5. You will use the Universal Laws of Attraction to bring your goals to you. This means intention paired with inspired action. You don't have to figure out the complete path at the moment you decide the goal.
6. Go for what you really want. Don't set a goal for your house to be remodeled if you actually want to move to a different neighborhood.
7. You are not doing this alone. You have your inner guide, friends, mates, coach, family, and colleagues to help. Use them. Ask for assistance along the way.

This year is gonna rock your world! Expect GREAT things to happen to you.

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Article Tags: argh, canvas, clean slate, desire, heart, honesty, new year, peace, vicious circle



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