If you read the last tip, I suggested that you write a list of your accomplishments, business and personal, large and small to complete the year. Then make a goals list and/or a wish list for the New Year. I was just reviewing one of my client’s lists and noticed a problem that is common for most folks. It is worth spending a bit of time reviewing your list carefully to ensure you don’t have the same problem.

The biggest problem is the deadly word “more.” For example, take the goal: “I’d like to make more money." Or “I’d like to spend more time with my family this year.” The problem with “more” is that it is too vague. If you were to imagine that you are giving this list to your fairy godmother to work on, and imagine that she is a rather lazy fairy godmother, who although dedicated to helping you achieve your goals, will do the minimum stated. If you pick up a penny on the street and that was one penny more than you made last year, your fairy godmother will tick that off her list and move on to your next goal or wish. If you spend one more minute with your family this year than you did last year, then bingo, she’ll tick that one off too. She is a very literal woman. So to get the most out of her (and the universe), it really works to have clear and specific goals and wishes. Describe as specifically as you can what you are hoping to achieve. Try, “I’ll make twice as much money this year as I did last.” Much clearer and more specific. Or “I will be home four nights of the week at 6 pm for dinner with my family.” Or “I will dedicate a half hour every night to focused attention/playing with my children.”

You now might wonder what is the difference between a goal and a wish. A goal is a specific objective that you commit to, e.g. I will write 50,000 words this year. A wish is something you might like to have happen, but it may be out of your control, such as “I wish my book is a bestseller.” Or it might be something you aren’t willing to spend a lot of time and energy to make happen, but would love to attract. You can “make” a book a bestseller in some cases with clever marketing, but if you aren’t willing to devote your time, energy and resources to making that happen and still want it to happen, put it on your wish list. I always do.

Some things don’t work as well as wishes. I make fitness a goal so I put it in my daily schedule. I have discovered that wishing myself fit doesn’t work - it takes action. Must be that lazy fairy godmother.

I make a list of goals that I want to commit to and book those into my schedule (or they won’t get done!) and I write down a list of wishes that I just attract. Every year I’m amazed at how many wishes come true just by making this list. So don’t forget to do your wish list. And please be specific!

Enjoy!
Talane

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