GOAL SETTING - The Zig Ziglar Way

With 2013 here, it' time to start setting goals for the new year ahead. But how to you go about it?

There is probably no better advice on goal setting than that of Zig Ziglar, who recently passed away in November at the age of 86 years old. He was a world-renown, motivational speaker who used easy-to-remember, homespun simplicity when he addressed an audience.

Born in Alabama, Zig Ziglar served in the Navy in World War II and later worked as a salesman in a succession of companies before he became a vice president and training director in Dallas, Texas. He is best known for his many books and seminars on topics that teach a person how to be successful, how to set goals, how to network, and how to be a top sales or marketing person.

“See You at The Top,” both a famous book and video, spells out the benefits a person can achieve from setting goals. Ironically, “See You at the Top” was rejected by some thirty publishers. 

Some of the benefits include: knowing, being, doing and having more; using your mind and talents fully; having more purpose and direction in life; making better decisions; being more organized and effective; doing more for yourself and others; having greater confidence and self-worth; feeling more fulfilled; being more enthusiastic and motivated; and accomplishing uncommon projects.

To reach the benefits above, Zig Ziglar set forth the “Seven Steps for Goal Setting.” These seven steps are used in adult classrooms, workshops and seminars all over the United States since their inception in 1975. 

1. Identify the goal or objective you want to achieve

2. Set a deadline and put a date on it.

3. List the obstacles to overcome

4. Identify the people or groups to work with

5. List skills or knowledge needed

6. Develop a plan of action

7) List the benefits – “What’s in it for me?”

Although it’s impossible to comment on all seven steps, defining a goal is certainly the first action step. According to Zig Ziglar, a goal is anything you can have, be or do. Have includes such things as a new car, home or boat. Be simply means your desire to be someone: a mayor, surpervisor, saleman, inventor, or writer. And do entails something you wish to do over a period of time such as improve your health, play a musical instrument, quit smoking, write a book, or develop a better relationship with someone. According to Zig Ziglar,

“If you want to reach a goal, you must 'see the reaching' 

in your mind before you actually arrive at your goal."

What goals have you set for 2013? I'm working on my list and will give you a peek in my next post. Until then, have a great New Year.