It’s well-understood at this point, that the practice of goal setting is essential for success both on a business level and on a personal one. In fact, there have been over a thousand studies concerning the effectiveness of goal setting. And, from those studies we know that setting a specific, challenging goal leads to higher performance than setting an easy or vague goal (such as to do one’s best), or to set no goal at all. We also know that the higher the goal, the higher the performance. And, the disadvantage of setting no goal is that it leads to a lack of focus; hence individuals wander aimlessly.

It’s important to understand the types of goals to set, what traits you elicit in terms of the goal setting process, and the actual process you undertake of achieving those goals. First, there are two types of goals: learning goals and performance goals. A learning goal puts the emphasis on discovering or mastering a specific task. An example would be, “I intend to learn basic Spanish in 2019.” A performance goal focuses on a specific task outcome. An example would be, “I intend to save an extra $1000 each month.”

How you think and your beliefs determine the traits you possess as you define and structure your goals. For instance, Dr. Morter used to say that he would put a sign in every room reading, “I am at peace.” His point was, you can’t “want” and also be at peace. When defining your goals, it’s not what you “want” but instead what you “intend.” It’s “I am thankful because I already have it. This is because it’s all energy. When you think this way, you arrange your energy in your empty space to attract that to you. Using your belief systems and training is important when you are defining your goals and in understanding how best to achieve them.

The actual process you undertake of achieving your goals is the action step. What you do each and every day either directs you to meeting your goals or it distracts you from it. Sometimes we make poor decisions in the moment out of comfort or convenience or just because that’s what you are used to doing. These choices coupled with procrastination, distract you from achieving your goals.

Consider adding the Morter March as a tool to help you stay focused and directed toward meeting your goals in 2019. Go to www.mortermarchmonday.com to access free videos to learn this powerful process. And, join us on our Morter HealthSystem Facebook Page every Monday morning LIVE, as we all do the Morter March together. Make this amazing New Year, your BEST year!