Feedback Form
Home Features Mastermind Forums About Advertise Blog Network Contact Be An Author
Entrepreneur Advice:
Zig Ziglar
www.ziglartraining.com
About Zig Ziglar

A talented author and speaker, Zig Ziglar has an appeal that transcends barriers of age, culture, and occupation. Since 1970, he has traveled over five million miles across the world delivering powerful life improvement messages, cultivating the energy of change. Since 1970, an extensive array of Ziglar audio, video, books, and training manuals have been utilized by small businesses, Fortune 500 companies, U.S. Government agencies, churches, school districts, prisons, and non-profit associations, affecting lives in a profound way.



Recent Article:

Goal Setting
- For more on Zig Ziglar visit www.ziglartraining.com

Studies tell us that only 3% of people in the USA set goals, and they are among the wealthiest people in the nation! Worldwide the percentage is probably lower. Why so low? There are several reasons, but the one that concerns us the most at Ziglar Training Systems is lack of know-how. When we ask people why they don't set goals they often say, "I don't know how."

Isn't that remarkable? We send children to school for 12 years in America before they graduate from high school. Many of them go on to trade schools, colleges and universities. We teach them many important disciplines including history, economics, literature, science, and so forth, but we miss one critically important skill: goal setting. We award them their degrees, pat them on their backs, and send them into the world full of wisdom, but ill-prepared, almost always, to design and pursue the lives they really want.

And all that's required to change this deficiency is a single semester, even half a semester, devoted to teaching goal setting. It doesn't seem likely that we're going to change the American educational system any time soon, or the world's educational system, but that's not going to stop us from teaching you how to set goals.

The letters and phone calls that we receive at Ziglar Training Systems are social proof that our goal setting programs work. We know that goal setting will help you change your life for the better, it will help you get what you really want from life. And when you do, that's reason for all of us to celebrate! So for the next several weeks we are going to help you set goals. Whether you're already a goal setter, you used to set goals and quit, or you've never set goals, these lessons will help you build a better life. They'll also help those you share them with, so don't be shy about forwarding this information!

Lesson 1. Dream! Let your imagination run wild while you fill up a blank sheet of paper with everything you want to be, do or have. Many adults have lost their ability to dream and that's unfortunate. By dreaming you instill hope for your future, and with hope there's possibility. So your assignment this week is to dream. During this next week devote at least two private sessions to dreaming. We want you to create a Dream List filled with ideas. Your list should include at least 25 dreams about what you want to be, do or have.

Lesson 2. After you complete your list, wait 24 to 48 hours and read each item on your list and answer the question: Why? If you can't verbalize in one sentence why you want to be, do or have this dream, then it's not a dream and it won' become a goal. Cross it off your list.

Lesson 3: Ask the following five questions of every dream on the Dream List you created last week.

1. Is it really MY goal?
2. Is it morally right and fair to everyone concerned?
3. Is it consistent with my other goals?
4. Can I emotionally commit myself to finish this goal?
5. Can I "see" myself reaching this goal?
6.
You must answer "yes" to all five questions for each goal, or cross that goal off your list.

Here are some points to ponder: Is it really MY goal or is it a goal someone else wants me to pursue? Is it the right thing to do? Will achieving this goal distract from achieving other goals? Goals are often difficult to achieve. Are you sure you can make the commitment to pursue this goal and see it through? If you can't "see" yourself reaching this goal, you probably won't.

Take time during this week to think about the questions above and answer them. Once you're finished, your Dream List will probably be a bit shorter than when you started out. That's okay because you're now closer to identifying the goals that you really will pursue and can achieve.

Lesson 4:

Ask the following seven questions of every dream that remains on your Dream List (or goals list).

Will reaching this goal . . .
1. make me happier?
2. make me healthier?
3. make me more prosperous?
4. win me more friends?
5. give me peace of mind?
6. make me more secure?
7. improve my relationships with others?

If you can't answer Yes to at least one of these questions for each goal, eliminate that goal from your list. Be sure to consider your family when you answer these questions. And do not confuse pleasure with happiness!

Here we go with Lesson 5:

After asking the questions posted in Lesson 4 you will have eliminated some of your goals. Actually, they were not goals, just thoughts or desires at this point, so you're better off without them.

Separate your remaining list of goals into one of three categories: Short-range (one month or less to achieve this goal), Intermediate (one month to one year to achieve this goal), or Long-range (one year or more to achieve this goal).

This lesson will help you quickly determine whether or not you have a balanced perspective between what needs to be done now, versus your dreams for the future.

Remember: Some goals must be BIG to make you stretch and grow to your full potential. Some goals must be long-range to keep you on track and greatly reduce the possibility of short-range frustrations. Some goals must be small and daily to keep you disciplined. Some goals must be ongoing. Some goals (i.e., weight loss, sales success, education, etc.) may require analysis and consultation to determine where you are before you can set the goals. Most goals should be specific. A "nice home" is not as good as a "3,000 square-foot, Tudor- style home with four bedrooms, three full baths, and two living spaces."

Here we go with the final lesson:

After tracking your first few goals on the General Goals Procedure Chart you are likely to have many additional goals that remain to be charted. Take time now to chart those goals. If you need a copy of the chart, send a blank email to editor@zigziglar.com?Subject=GoalsChart . The word GoalsChart (as written) must be on the Subject line of your email!

Be sure to work each goal through the process of the chart. Be selective. You may not be able to work on all of your goals at one time! Don,t over do it. If you only have time to complete one or two goals for the remainder of this year, don,t apologize. Do a little bit more than you can, but do not overextend your time to the point that you don,t complete any of your goals. Do not get frustrated by the process! Work the system and it will work for you. We can fill a book with the number of letters that Zig receives about the effectiveness of his simple goal-setting program. Trust the system.

Once you have charted your goals and plotted the activities that you intend to do to fulfill your goals, pat yourself on the back! You have just spent more time planning your future than most of your friends, relatives or associates will ever invest! Good for you.





Goal Setting - To learn more about this author, visit Zig Ziglar's Website.

Like this article? Share it with your friends

Article Feedback
 Goal Setting Very Good
Commented on Goal Setting.
 Goal Setting Leave Your Feedback
article feedback

Article Feedback
Leanne Hoagland-Smith
Are your sales where you want them to be? Will you be one of the few who achieves sales or business success or one of the many who have failed to change? Are you tired of being told you are like everyone else? Then you may find my first book on sales of interest. Be the Red Jacket in the Sea of Gray Suits, The Keys to Unlocking Sales available at Amazon or at http://www.processspecialist.com/red-jacket.htm. This book is a reflection of my no-nonsense approach to improving sales to overall business results. If you are truly committed to making sustainable changes, then I can help you secure a positive return on your investment because I focus on executable solutions not telling you the problems you already know you have. From training to corporate (group) coaching to executive one on one coaching, my approach is to assess, create awareness, build a goal driven action plan and then execute. The bottom line question is "Not do you or your employees know it, but do you or they want to do it?" Please call for a free strategy session at 219.759.5601. - Visit Leanne Hoagland-Smith's Website


To learn more about the Evan Elite Author Program please contact us.


Zig Ziglar Books

Over The Top - Zig Ziglar

See You At The Top - Zig Ziglar

Now Go Sell Somebody Something - Zig Ziglar

Selling 101 - Zig Ziglar


Note: This article was reprinted with permission of Zig Ziglar. All rights reserved. Subscribe to Zig's free weekly ezine by visiting www.ziglar.com and click on Newsletter. 



Evan Elite Authors
Leanne Hoagland-Smith  
John Brennan  
Jay Kubassek  
Evan Elite Authors

Become An Author
Have you written articles that would be of value to entrepreneurs? Become an expert on our site by publishing them! Expose yourself to a wide audience, drive more traffic to your website and get more sales! Click Here for details.
Become An Author

Evan's Latest Video
Modeling the Masters: Learn the true secrets behind Walt Disney's business success factors & grow your company! Video produced by Phanta Media
Evan's Latest Video

Business Opportunities
"Learn straight from Evan how you can Make a Full Time Income (And More) from a Website"

How to Start An Online Business

Click Here To Learn More
Business Opportunities



Evan's Newsletter
Get advice & tips from famous business owners, new articles by entrepreneur experts, my latest website updates, & special sneak peaks at what's to come!
Name:
Email:
Evan`s Newsletter

Free Downloads
Tips For Less Stress Icon Tips For Less Stress
Content Challenged Icon Content Challenged
New Year Revolutions Icon New Year Revolutions
Managing the Unimaginable Icon Managing the Unimaginable
Women Entrepreneurs Icon Women Entrepreneurs
Free Downloads - Complete List

Entrepreneur Tools and Guides
Top 50 Niche Blogs 2009
Top 50 Niche Blogs 2009
Top 50 Niche Blogs 2009
 
The Top 10 Guy Kawasaki Posts - Best Posts for Entrepreneurs
The Top 10 Guy Kawasaki Posts
Best Posts for Entrepreneurs
 
Entrepreneur Tools and Guides

SEO For Africa
SEO For Africa
Grace Adewale Benin City, Nigeria,
Grace Adewale
Benin City, Nigeria
SEO For Africa

If I Were A Startup...
Dana Zita, > $2.5 Mil in revenues
Dana Zita
> $2.5 Mil in revenues
John Zarei and Shaan Parekh , $516k to $1.5 Mil in 2 years
John Zarei and Shaan Parekh
$516k to $1.5 Mil in 2 years
If I Were A Startup... - Complete List

Famous Entrepreneurs
Thomas Watson Sr., IBM
Anita Roddick, The Body Shop
Anita Roddick
The Body Shop
Famous Entrepreneurs - Complete List

Entrepreneur Advice
Donald J. Trump, Trump University
Donald J. Trump
Trump University
Jeffrey Gitomer, The Sales Bible
Jeffrey Gitomer
The Sales Bible
Entrepreneur Advice - Complete List

Popular Articles
(Premium Authors)

     7 Reality Checks for Building the Possible Dream
By Molly Gordon
     9 Strategies for Resolving LifeWork Conflict
By Molly Gordon
     Are You in the Mood for Success
By Molly Gordon

Have A Suggestion?
Toronto Salsa Classes / Toronto Salsa Lessons Email us your ideas on how to make our website more valuable! Thank you Sharon from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for your suggestions to make the newsletter look like the website and profile younger entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez and Sean Combs!
Have A Suggestion?

More Evan Carmichael
More Information