I read somewhere that a person should have one single goal and concentrate only on that, until they make that goal. It seems better to me to have many goals. Kind of like don't put all your eggs in one basket. I have a big goal of getting thin, but that's not the only thing I want in life. Do you think I should just concentrate on that until I make it or will I be able to do it while having other big goals at the same time?

I read somewhere that a person should have one single goal and concentrate only on that, until they make that goal ...... Do you think I should just concentrate on that until I make it or will I be able to do it while having other big goals at the same time?Aloha Willdraw!

That kinda depends on your stamina for variety. Are you the kind of person that can easily conceive, plan, start, enrol others, proceed with and finish a goal? How about 2? 4? Big or small, it really doesn't matter the size.

In any event, say that you choose to concentrate and Focus on a single goal. Sounds simpler, doesn't it?
Well, it might, until you realize that the Single Focus Goal (lets say - to have 22 Radio Stations on the air across North America by 2008) will have a bunch of other goals that must first be met, to make that one a reality. My best guess in this situaltion?
Start with the first station.
There's funding/financing, location, equipment, staffing, management, production, logistics & physical plant, marketing, programming, rules & regulations, and a few more as well. Now, look at each of those, and you see the same thing ....... more goals to complete, independent of the others, but together, make up THIS single goal, in support of the larger Single Focus Goal. Now, many of those elements are simply projects in support of one or more on the goal, but some of them are in and of themselves big goals that support the larger Single Focus Goal (SFG)



Your original question -
will I be able to do it while having other big goals at the same time -
might also be asking .....
Should I have goals in all areas of my life? Even BIG goals?
Physical
Career
Finances
Spirit
Family
Emotional
Fun

My answer would be ...... ABSOLUTELY!
The key to any goal is not just whats at the finish line; rather, it's what growth you will experience and pass along to others on your Journey to that finish line. If you know the WHYs that goal is important to you, and you really associate to them, and I mean REALLY ASSOCIATE to them, your will see an effortlessness in having multiple goals and objectives and meanings in your life. The challange you encounter (and you will) will be taken in context of the WHY, and not just the goal itself.

Be Well!

~ Stan ~

Great post MantaRayz. :)

I agree that it is best to have multiple goals. This eliminates the chances of becoming bored or frustrated with just one major goal.

But at the same time you don't want to scatter yourself too much either.

But at the same time you don't want to scatter yourself too much either.True ..... Don't scatter, but if you don't have plans for you, somebody else does!

If you have plans, you are much less likely to be scattered, and so you can move forward with relative ease.

Also, as I laid out above, you NEED Goals in the Key apects of your life. You gotta know where you are headed, before you can know which paths are best to concentrate on.

Also, as I laid out above, you NEED Goals in the Key apects of your life. You gotta know where you are headed, before you can know which paths are best to concentrate on.
True. I was more referring to when you have multiple plans for the same area, such as business, that are perhaps competing for your attention, time & resources.

One thing to mention is the concept of having goals that you are committed to vs. goals that are not really goals (that are more like wants or desires). Another thing to mention is the concept of having realistic goals.

Where you tends to get scattered is when you have a variety of goals in the same area (such as business or finance) that you are not fully committed to, or when you are not realistic in setting your goals. For example, setting up and running more than one multimillion dollar company at the same time may or may not be realistic depending on the time table and what you plan to do and your available resources. If you think that you are going to have two businesses make millions in 2 years and you are going to work them simultaneously, you may find out really quickly that you don't have enough time and resources to make both a million dollar business in that short of time unless you are able to get key resources into play. Now if you had one business you wanted to grow quickly, while the second one you either wanted to grow at a slower pace or even wait until the first business reached a certain point, that may be more realistic and achievable.

It's okay to have more than one goal in the same area, but you also have to be realistic about the time table. I have multiple projects going on and many many goals, and it is vital that I am realistic about how I go after them. If I am unrealistic, I just get frustrated and feel scattered. If I am realistic, I see that some things need to happen now, but other things will fall into place after I accomplish what I have on my plate now. And having multiple goals in one area actually make life interesting and fun for me.

That being said, you don't want to suppress your goals either. Even if you don't know how to "get there" with your goals (so to speak), you can still achieve them, you just need to plan on getting the resources you need first. It is amazing how life, the universe, God, etc. will align with your goals once you truly commit to them and start making them real. Most of us never fully commit to something, we just want it really really badly, which is not the same thing. It is amazing how things start to happen once you commit.

So, in summary, go for it!

Wise words there...

A few years ago when I first became aware of the importance of setting goals, I think I put too much pressure on myself by setting too many unrealistic goals with an unrealistic time frame. This really dampened my spirits when I found I couldn't achieve all of them, and caused me to lose interest.

My tendency was to keep these goals in my head instead of writing them down... I think this also contributed to my lack of success.

My strategy now is to write smaller realistic goals which are quite achieveable.... this gradually increases my confidence and keeps me motivated.

Of course goals need to be challenging as well, otherwise no progress would be made.

I read somewhere that a person should have one single goal and concentrate only on that, until they make that goal.

This is usually what I do. I have one big goal, and as soons as I complete that goal I set a new one and start working on that. But you can't make the goals too hard since if you can't finish your goal that will be the only one you'll ever have. So my goals are usually a little bit simpler.

I read somewhere that a person should have one single goal and concentrate only on that, until they make that goal. It seems better to me to have many goals. Kind of like don't put all your eggs in one basket. I have a big goal of getting thin, but that's not the only thing I want in life. Do you think I should just concentrate on that until I make it or will I be able to do it while having other big goals at the same time?

If you are willing to have goals, but be loose with the date when accomplished, then have multiple goals (keep in mind being loose with date accomplished doesn't mean you should slack off forever, that makes the goal merely a wish). This way, if one goal gets stuck, you can work on another one. Also a big goal can have multiple smaller goals associated with it. Also, keep in mind you are a person, not an attribute. People have multiple attibutes. So, if you are saying your ONE goal is to get thin, then you are saying that your only purpose in life is to become a thin person.

- Richard

i set my goals on a daily basis, i concentrate on the next consultations that i have, and aim for the best outcome on each occasion. i always try for win/win, but alas this is not a perfect world.

priorities realise themselves when they are needed, but have you ever noticed that priorities are never material (read wants)? they are always human related (read needs).

and furthermore, it is not possible to only have one goal. we are too distracted for that. and if anyone were to espouse the virtues of only focussing on the one goal, i would suggest that they are incredibly narrow minded.

I think it's important to have one main goal that you're always striving for, but also smaller, more attainable goals to hit along the way... like setting up small milestones to reach along the way to your main goal.

what is your main goal bassman?

lets get it down, and then let's see what we here at this forum can do for you.

Well, the main goal I am currently working towards is getting my video montage (http://www.memoriesbox.com) up and running, and running smoothly and successfully enough to the point where I can quit my current job and work on MemoriesBox full time. That is my main goal.

Smaller goals I'm working on right now that lead to that are:
1) getting the website finished and launched
2) finish putting together my photography forum (http://www.photographycorner.com)
3) working lots of OT at my day job to be able to afford to pay for decent advertising.
4) oh, plus I'm getting married next summer, and I need to save money for that. ;) LOL

I think it's important to have one main goal that you're always striving for, but also smaller, more attainable goals to hit along the way... like setting up small milestones to reach along the way to your main goal.
Bassman,
i think both of us share something common... AV's. i do a lot of av's too. cant wait to see you site up and running :thumb:

Same with me... hehe. I've been doing it as a hobby/small business for 7+ years, so I figured, why not make something I love to do into my job? Let's hope it works out...

I say set many realistic goals in every catagory of your life, such as your relationships, finances, career, etc. Read them at least three times a day.

Well, it sure will suck if you've only set one goal and you don't reach it.

Or what if you do reach it. Then what?

Set many goals, and then keep setting goals. And make them measureable.

I have 2 yr goals, 5 yr. goals, and 10 yr. goals.

I say set many realistic goals in every catagory of your life, such as your relationships, finances, career, etc. Read them at least three times a day.

Where is the line drawn between a realistic goal and an unrealistic goal?

An example of an unrealistic goal would be to start a business with a goal of making 10 million dollars in the first year with no start up capital and no business experience. :hopeless:

A realistic goal would be the same circumstances with a goal of breaking even in the first year.

Where the line is drawn is more of a personal thing than an exact science, but common sense will usually give you a pretty good indication.

I read somewhere that a person should have one single goal and concentrate only on that, until they make that goal. It seems better to me to have many goals. Kind of like don't put all your eggs in one basket. I have a big goal of getting thin, but that's not the only thing I want in life. Do you think I should just concentrate on that until I make it or will I be able to do it while having other big goals at the same time?

Well, you have to set one BIG goal and this will be your major definite purpose, the vision of your life.

Now, as brian tracy said, there is 6 areas in your life (you can define more).
1. personal development
2. family
3. business & carrer
4. financial freedom
5. health & vitality
6. relationships

you need to set one or several precise goals in each of them and by focusing on what you want, you will find opportunities, money and people to achive them. This is the law of attraction, isn't it?

This is how I work. what do you think?

Emmanuel SEGUI

I think it's good to have goals in every area of your life. Getting thin is in one area of your life, your body or physical health. The other areas of your life where you can have goals are: finances, spiritual, personal, social.

I don't see a difference with having too many goals, as long as they are meaningful for you...and they don't distract you from the bigger picture, your life's mission.

Do whatever works best for you. If you can accomplish one goal make sure after every goal you complete that you REWARD yourself. I have learned about this when I went to a depression research group. You will find yourself much more motivated just to get that reward at the end because you have accomplished that goal you made for yourself.

The thing about rewards is, not alot of people do this for themselves because they find that there is no reason to doing this if it is a small goal etc. But don't be so hard on yourself. If you accomplish a goal whether big nor small, make sure you do something for yourself. Don't be foolish not to accept the award because you deserve it.

Hope this helps, but with the award thing, you need to dicipline youself to give yourself the award after accomplishing your goal. Some like myself find this difficult.


I read somewhere that a person should have one single goal and concentrate only on that, until they make that goal. It seems better to me to have many goals. Kind of like don't put all your eggs in one basket. I have a big goal of getting thin, but that's not the only thing I want in life. Do you think I should just concentrate on that until I make it or will I be able to do it while having other big goals at the same time?

Where is the line drawn between a realistic goal and an unrealistic goal?That is a hard one to answer. I sometimes have that issue as well.

I think a couple of things need to be thought about and looked at:

For certain things, there will be a learning curve, which needs to be taken into account. You may indeed reach your goal, but if this is the first time you are doing something like this, you will have to factor in the time it will take you to learn how to do it.
Do you have the resources it takes or are you willing to do what is necessary to aquire them? The equation time=money also applied in goal setting. In many situations, time can be substituted for money. You can either spend a lot of money to market or you could go around and spend a lot of time talking to people to promote what you do. One takes longer than the other. This needs to be factored into your goal.
Do you have the will necessary? If so, do you have the will necessary to do it in the time you specified? The shorter the time period, the more effort and resources it will take. Your goal would be unrealistic if you are not willing to put in the required effort and resources to make it happen.
If you break down the goal into pieces (i.e. what would be required each month or week for example) is that realistic? Sometimes we put down this big number for a goal, but when you actually do the math, what would be required monthly is either physically impossible, or won't be possible given the time and resources that would be given to achieving the goal. For example, something may require 100 hours of work of you in a week, but you are only willing to work 60 hours a week on this goal. That would be an unrealistic goal and the time table should be rethought.
Most of it really comes down to, are you willing to do what it takes to make it happen? If not, it is unrealistic.

Unless you are confident in yourself and can handle failure well, I would make your goals high enough to be a stretch, but don't make it so high that you are almost guaranteed failure. Remember, you can (and should) look at your goals frequently and revise them if necessary. You can always shoot higher and higher as you gain ground and get some success under your belt. If you set your goals too high, you will just get discouraged if you don't meet them, whereas, if you are achieving your goals, you can always set new ones to take you to the next level. You just don't want to set your goals so low that you would achieve them anyway.

You kinda have to know yourself and look at what you are willing to do. What you achieve is not limited by your past, but rather what you are willing to do now and what future you are living into.

Bumb!

Bumb!

What do you mean?

:confused:

Bumb!What do you mean?

:confused:Maybe Inc. meant "bump!" to bump it up higher on the list?

Yes, exactly.