| Peter Drucker, the late management guru once said | | | | exercise and eat a very healthy diet- for the first two |
| "Success is goals; all else is commentary." | | | | weeks of January! It is the habit of regular healthy |
| Now, who am I to argue with Drucker? His knowledge | | | | eating, along with the habit of regular scheduled |
| and wisdom is not open for debate. And I am a firm | | | | exercise, over the long term, that achieves the goal of |
| believer in the goal setting process. I've experience and | | | | fitness. |
| witnessed the power of goals. However, I have | | | | Let me ask you exactly what I asked last time: What |
| noticed that a lot of people set goals and still don't get | | | | is a significant goal you have that is not being |
| anywhere. I've done it myself. I suspect you have too. | | | | achieved? Now let me ask: What is the strategic habit |
| So, something beyond goals is required. Goals are | | | | that will reach that goal? |
| simply one leg of a three legged stool. Goals are the | | | | Those habits are the second leg of the the goal |
| dreams of life; but habits are the stuff of life. The only | | | | setting success tripod. |
| way to achieve significant goals is to form habits that | | | | Now, what if you can't keep those good habits? What |
| move you toward them. | | | | if you lack the discipline or drive to sustain them? This |
| For years I wanted to write a book. So I read about | | | | is where we often fall down. |
| writing, and I talked to writers, and I thought about | | | | Most of us have goals that we can reach simply by |
| writing... But nothing happened until I formed the habit of | | | | creating the right habits. But most of us also have |
| carving out some time each week to write. What is a | | | | goals that are getting no closer, and related habits that |
| significant goal you have had for sometime, that | | | | have never been formed or kept for very long. Do |
| doesn't seem to be gettiing any closer? Identify and | | | | you have an unrealized but important goal in your life? |
| form the habit or habits that are required by that goal | | | | Then you need the third leg of the goal setting tripod: |
| and you will get there! Once you've set your various | | | | Partners. |
| layers of goals (I recommend lifetime down, 10 year, | | | | Life is meant to be lived in community. You need to |
| annual and 90 day goals) it is crucial to establish that | | | | take responsibility for your own values and decisions |
| the habits which will achieve these goals. | | | | and direction, but once your course is set, you need |
| But not any old habit will do. There is usually a habit or | | | | help to keep the habits required to reach your goals |
| two that is directly related to the achievement of a | | | | and realize your dreams. |
| given goal. I call these strategic habits. Back to the | | | | I think of Goals, Habits and Partners as the three legs |
| writing example, I had the habit of talking to authors, the | | | | of a big tripod that lift us up to our dreams. |
| habit of reading good books on writing, the habit of | | | | Where do you need a partner to help you keep that |
| daydreaming about my book. I even outlined small | | | | habit and reach that goal? The partner you need might |
| snippets. Those are good habits for a writer. But it | | | | simply be a walking partner, or a financial advisor or a |
| was the habit of writing regularly that finally produced | | | | life coach. I believe there is a partner out there to help |
| the book. Regular scheduled writing is the habit that | | | | you get where you dream of going! |
| produces a book. | | | | Set your goals, formulate the supporting habits, find the |
| Another common example is physical fitness. Exercise | | | | right partners and you will get there! |
| and healthy eating do not make you fit. Many people | | | | |