The "Success Six" - Personal Goal Setting Tactics

When it comes to personal goal setting, there are a multitude of approaches to incorporate within your own life. As a rule of thumb, it is most common that successful individuals have accomplished their tasks in the order of importance.

For example, if you don’t want any puppies, you wouldn’t take your precious Poodle in heat to the dog park before taking her to the vet to get spayed. Sure, exercise is important for your dog, but not as important as protecting her livelihood and wellbeing. This concept is also true when it comes to the everyday activities and responsibilities that humans deal with on a daily basis.

Admit it, there have been plenty of times where you have put off a task just to pay attention to something not as important, unproductive or less demanding. Were you supposed to cook dinner for the family, but used your time instead to wash the car or work in the garden? Sure, the car could have been dusty and maybe the tomatoes needed watering, but these tasks are not as important as feeding the family.

In an effort to save time or narrowly accomplish your responsibility, you may order take-out. This is a less-than-acceptable move on your part, as you substitute effort and nutrition for the easy way out. To the rest of the family, it is clear what is more important to you. In the long run, misplacing the importance of tasks can lead to failure, disappointment and loss of precious time.

And yes, time is precious and important in our short lives. How many people grow older and question where it all went? How many people waste more time wondering what "could have been?" Instead of falling into this common pitfall in life, there are a few approaches to consider that assist individuals in making the most out of their time. Since this newfound appreciation of every second, minute and hour of the day is rather monumental, don’t you think there should be a little planning involved? Isn’t it true that the majority of great outcomes had some sort of plan behind them?

So…to get started with the preplanning part of personal goal setting, the first step to consider involves sorting and establishing importance. Let’s start with writing down six of the most important responsibilities you have ahead of you for the next day. Don’t worry; this task only takes about 5 minutes to complete (depending on how slowpoke or speedy you can write). According to the author, Mike Litman, who penned "Conversations With Millionaires," this list will form "The Success Six."

Next, you should take a long, hard look at the list you have created. What is the most important thing that needs to be accomplished? Is it presenting the quarterly report to the boss? Is it picking up the Little League team from the game? Perhaps it is shopping for dinner?

Your next task is to number your six responsibilities in order of importance, starting with 1 and ending with 6. This is the prioritizing part of the process, which is considered the magic move towards success.

When the sun rises on the next day, you should have your Success Six resting comfortably beside your bed. This is a new day and your mission if you choose to accept it, is to complete each and every one of your numbered duties, beginning with the first.

Throughout the day, glance at your list and complete the things you have delegated most important. For many, this lifestyle change might be something completely new and foreign. If you are unable to complete your list by the end of the day, never fear, a new day is near. The best part of this process is that when the sun sets, you will have most likely achieved the most important and pressing issues of the day.

So what are you waiting for? Grab a sheet of paper and get a nice firm grip on that pen or pencil. Start planning tomorrow by jotting down your "Success Six." This convenient organization and time management technique will serve many different factors affecting your life: mentally, emotionally, socially and more.

Many individuals have already gotten into the habit of carrying around a small notepad or index cards as friendly reminders. Once an important "to-do" has been completed, crossing them out with confidence and pride is sometimes heightened with the use of a colorful marking pen.

About the author:
Clifford Mee is an author and expert in personal goal setting & time management. His highly acclaimed book the 7 Little Known Success Secrets Of The Rich & Famous is free at http://www.SuccessRichFamous.com