Backwards Planning … Start With The End In Mind

You may have already starting planning for your life with a certain ending in mind and you didn’t even realize it. If you start to think about it, this is an incredibly smart way to look to the future, by looking at the end first and then working your way backwards. Just as with any type of goal setting, you want to raise the bar to a certain level. Then you start working your way slowly toward the end goal until you achieve it or even surpass it. Because this is your destiny, then you are able to mold it any way that you would like.

“Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan,
in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act.
There is no other route to success.” – Stephen A. Brennan

If you haven’t really started to look that much into the future, then you will want to start by thinking of what you would want the final picture to look like at the end. Take stock of some of the dreams that you have had in your mind and think of the things that you would like to say that you are proud of at the end. Do you have a specific person there with you that you are sharing your life with? Perhaps there is a certain career that you would like to be in or you would like to have traveled to a number of areas around the globe.

Plan your work and work your plan. – Jodi Nicholson

Let’s say you want to grow your wealth, start a new business, become the top salesperson in your company, get healthy and fit, or even write a book, then, you work backward to figure out how to achieve that goal. Consider what you will need to do in order to achieve different milestones along the way to reach the ultimate goal? What are the landmarks? The same holds true for all your goals whether personal and professional, plan your life and live your plan.

If you have always been the kind of person who procrastinates, then you are going to have to get out of that pattern and take on a new mindset. In order to truly plan ahead, you need to make sure that you have the drive and determination to do so. When you do not have the proper amount of drive then you are going to sit in your current lifestyle and merely grow old. Possibly resulting in simply spinning your wheels in a dead-end career that will only keep you down and hinder your dreaming process, preventing success. Stop watching the world pass you and your goals by. Make a plan, and act on it. If you need help, then working with a Success Coach can be a true ally.

As you move along toward your end goal, never be afraid to change it up if you feel the need to. There are many people who figure out part of the way towards their dreams that they are looking for another career or that they would even like to go for a completely different lifestyle. Follow your dreams, and work toward your end goal with backwards planning – it will make more sense as you go along and help to define a clear picture with items you need to do.

“He who would accomplish little must sacrifice little; he who would achieve much must sacrifice much;
he who would attain highly must sacrifice greatly.”  – James Allen

Jodi Nicholson is an Inspirational Speaker, Consultant, and Certified Master Coach. With her entrepreneurial spirit, Jodi specializes in Life & Business Coaching, Motivation and Success. She shares her passion for helping others in her private coaching practice, trainings and certification classes through the Success Coach Institute.

Advertisement

Living Fabulously …With Integrity, Honesty & Authenticity

“No legacy is as rich as honesty.”

William Shakespeare

To live fabulously with integrity, honesty and authenticity you must first embrace the qualities of each, match your beliefs internally to them and continue to make a daily decision to live by them through your words and actions. Integrity is the adherence to moral and ethical principles, and the soundness of moral character. Honesty is the quality of being honest; uprightness and fair; it’s about truthfulness, sincerity and being free from deceit or fraud. And, authenticity  is about being genuine, trustworthy and reliable. I feel that it starts inside, within the essence of our being, and  flows outside where it thrives when it is in alignment with our talk and our actions; they should mirror each other. Although these are very critical traits, living a life that is grounded with honesty, integrity and authenticity is very possible. If you think it’s hard then it will be. If you know in your heart that this is what you want, then set a clear intention to be “that person” and create your legacy with those principles.As you go throughout your life, there are many obstacles that will come your way and the manner in which you deal with them will have a great deal of impact on your level of integrity. Of course, you can go through life cutting corners in order to get ahead or even tell a couple of white lies when you feel as though you have the need. However, are you really doing yourself any favors by having this type of outlook on life? Are you a wolf in sheep’s clothing? 

If you had any solid background while you were growing up, then you probably learned the major differences between wrong and right. However, there are many people that dance on the edge of doing what is right and what is convenient to them at the time. In order to truly live an authentic life that is filled with integrity and honesty you have to remember to treat others surrounding you in a manner in which you would expect to be treated. This idea can apply to both your personal and professional life and as a matter of fact, both your personal and professional life are related in a sense when you are speaking of integrity and honesty.

“Integrity is the essence of everything successful.”

R. Buckminster Fuller

When you look at how you want to live your life, you will surely see that there are a number of ways that you can take on the situations that come your way. Think of some of the factors that mold you into the person who you are and the person who you would like to become. Do you have trust? A trust in yourself and what you can achieve is definitely important. At the same time, if others have trust in you then you are going to see many more doors opening for you when it comes to potential opportunities that are going to boost your finances.

“One of the most important ways to manifest integrity is to be loyal to those who are not present. In doing so, we build the trust of those who are present.”

Steven R. Covey

Take pride in what you do. When you have a strong sense of pride in the way that people think of you along with the characteristics that you posses then you will see your reputation growing exponentially. The last thing you will want is to see your reputation suffering any sort of blow that will make your friends, family or colleagues think any less of you. Taking great pride in yourself as a person as well as all of the accomplishments in your life will help to mold you into a person that oozes integrity. It also becomes your natural authenticity which is really how you think of yourself. When you are truly authentic you understand that the “camera is always on” regardless of anyone else being in your physical presence. You are authentic always, even when nobody is watching.

Always be sure to care for each and every relationship within your life. You can almost use the comparison of relationships to plants or flowers in that you have to nurture them in order for them to grow. Once your good relationships grow, you will be able to later reap the benefits. Sure, it is easy to say that you are an authentic, honest person with integrity that others can look up to. However, those are simply words if your actions do not fall in line.

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”

John F. Kennedy

People associate with the people they know, like and trust. When you live in integrity, authenticity and honesty more and more people will want to be around you, and partner and do business with you. Your success is complimented by being successful and your legacy is built upon fabulous traits that will long be remembered, respected and loved.

Make it a fabulous day!

Jodi Nicholson is an Inspirational Speaker, Consultant and Certified Master Coach. With her entrepreneurial spirit, Jodi specializes in Life & Business Coaching, Motivation and Success and has been self-employed in the personal and professional development arena for over 25 years. She shares her passion for helping others in her private coaching practice, trainings and certification classes through the Success Coach Institute. Learn more at http://jodinicholson.com

Goal Writing – Tips & Strategies For Success! « Success Coach Institute Blog

Goal Writing – Tips & Strategies For Success! « Success Coach Institute Blog.

Why should a goal be written, does it really matter? Studies and research say YES and so do the trainers at the Success Coach Institute. Here’s some facts, tips and strategies to compliment your goal setting.

3 Key Strategies To Achieving Your Goals

1. A key strategy in achieving your goals is to write them down. It’s not difficult, but in a recent UGM study we found that only 38% of people had a clear written pathway and plan for 1 year career goals. Perhaps it’s not surprising that only 56% felt they would achieve their 1 year career goals.

2. Share your written goals with supportive others. This step is a powerful personal influencer that significantly increases your chances of reaching the outcomes you are seeking. If you’re not that bothered, why set the goals in the first place? But, don’t be surprised when you’re not making the kind of progress that would make you happy.

3. Make yourself accountable to others for your goals by reporting regularly. Timelines will obviously depend on the time horizon of the goals you are pursuing. Even if they’re long-term goals, you’ll probably want to check in every two months. There is excellent research on long-term projects showing that bi- monthly review cycles have lower failure rates than reviews conducted less frequently.

Study Backs up Strategies for Achieving Goals

Goals matter to Gail Matthews, a psychology professor at California’s Dominican University. For more than 3 decades her research focus has been on the psychology of career choice and career development. Goals obviously play a big part in that.

Naturally, the Yale Business School study on the power of written goals was of interest. In that study, only 3% of the graduating class had specific, written goals for their future. Tracked 20 years later, those 3% with clear goals were earning 10 times what the other 97% who had no written goals were earning. Powerful!

Findings so powerful, that the results are regularly cited. In fact, it’s likely that you’ve also heard of a similar study at the Harvard Business School, between 1979 and 1989. Interestingly, the study found the same results. A search of GoogleBooks reveals these studies are cited in numerous recent titles, by some well-known authors.

Digging a little deeper though, Dr. Matthews discovered that these studies were never conducted. Other investigations have reached the same conclusion. These famous ‘studies’ are just an urban myth. No more than a modern day ‘fairy story’.

Pursuing the truth about written goals poses the question: Why is it that the myth could be perpetuated for so long? A key reason is due to what researchers call ‘face validity’. On face value it seemed plausible. Since goals appeared to have such a pivotal impact on careers, Gail Matthews decided to conduct the study that never was. Admittedly, she was interested in the impact of written goals, commitment to outcomes and goal accountability.

The study was a lot more modest than the Class of ’53 or ’79 with a ten or twenty year horizon. It involved 267 participants, from a wide variety of organizations and professional backgrounds. They were at different levels within their organizations and between 23 and 72 years of age. They came from six diverse countries (including US, India and Japan).

A real study of written goals … The study looked at goals and outcomes relating to a one-month period. Participants were divided randomly into five different groups. Goals differed widely. For example, selling a house, securing a contract, completing a strategic plan, and preventing a hostile take-over. Real people, real goals!

Group 1 simply thought about their goals. They also rated the goals on a number of dimensions: difficulty; importance; skills and resources available; commitment and motivation to goals; and whether the goals had been attempted before and if so, prior success.

Group 2 typed their goals into an online survey and then rated the goals on the five dimensions.

Group 3 did the same as Group 2 and provided action commitments.

Group 4 did the same and then sent these to a supportive friend.

Group 5 also sent weekly progress updates to their supportive friend.

Having written goals makes a huge difference … Those with written goals (Group 2-5) achieved more than those whose goals were not written (Group 1). Group 1 scored 43% on mean goal achievement and Group 4 scored 64%.

This result is statistically significant and the substance of the urban legend (and face validity) is confirmed. Having written goals increases the likelihood of achieving them.

Matthews also found statistically significant support for her additional ideas. Group 5, who had written goals and were sharing weekly updates, achieved the highest average goal achievement score – 76%.  This was significantly higher than the 64% that Group 4 scored (share initially with someone supportive). This, in turn, was notably higher than Group 3, who had written goal actions but had not shared their goals. Group 3 scored 50%.

In an interesting turn, Group 2, who had written goals only, with no actions, scored 60%. So, Group 2 had scored higher than Group 3. However, they had scored much higher than Group 1 (no written goals), whose average score was only 43%. Group 2 also scored significantly lower than Group 5’s 76%.

Conclusions from the Dominican study … The first key insight revealed that accountability has a positive effect on goal outcomes. Those who sent weekly progress updates achieved significantly higher outcomes than those who didn’t. Thinking about the pillars of influence for a moment, you’ll recognize the impact here of ‘reciprocity’. If someone is willing to receive your weekly updates and support you, then you need to reciprocate by carrying through – make and show progress.

The second insight is that just making a public commitment makes a difference. Simply sharing the goals, even once, activates another of the powerful pillars of influence – consistency. Once you’ve publicized something, you’re more likely to follow through with it to be consistent with your statement.

Finally, if you only do one thing in relation to your goals, write them down. Those in the study who did, accomplished significantly more than those who didn’t. You can confidently use and cite this research, knowing that it’s based on evidence rather than an urban myth.

Success tip …

1. WRITE YOUR GOALS

2. TAKE ACTION

3. BE ACCOUNTABLE

At Success Coach Institute we teach our students theS.M.A.R.T. System To Goal Setting Done R.I.G.H.T. a proprietary method of writing goals enhanced by challenging the goals to make sure it’s right for you … relevant to your life, inspiring, using your gifts, in harmony with your purpose and when completed, assured that you are standing in truth. To learn more, visit us online, attend our Success Coach Certification or join us as a coaching client in a 1-1 session or in our group,SUCCESS CAMP.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Jodi Nicholson is an Entrepreneur, Success Coach, Consultant and Mentor. Known as The Fabulous Coach she enjoys working with clients from around the world in her private coaching and consulting practice as well as teaching and training the iCoachTo Success Professional Coaching System at the  Success Coach Institute 1-888-689-1130. 

Practice “Perfect Practice”

~ an excerpt from Millionaire Secrets In You

 

In today’s demanding society, people are constantly striving to be the best that they can be. After all, in order to land the perfect job or get the things that you want in life, you have to be able to excel and take on the role of a go-getter. How do you get to the level where you would like to be? Anyone will tell you that it will take hard work, a lot of determination and loads of practice!

“They say that nobody is perfect. Then they tell you practice makes perfect.
I wish they’d make up their minds.” ~ Winston Churchill

If you always do what you’ve done, you’ll always get what you got. Any professional athlete, actor, celebrity, public speaker, etc. will tell you that to achieve an extremely high level of success you need to practice. Michael Jordan is considered by many to be the greatest basketball player of all time, Jerry Rice holds just about all the receiving records in the NFL, both men have been known to practice to improve their skills more than anyone else in their sports. And this holds true and consistent with any great success in any business or industry. You simply can’t achieve a level of success without practice.

“My father taught me that the only way you can make good at anything is to practice,
and then practice some more.” ~ Pete Rose

Nobody ever wakes up knowing how to play classical music on the piano. Learning an instrument is just one example of how practice can get you further and further toward your desired result. In order to get to the success level that you would like, be it an instrument, sport, salesperson or speaker it is important to set goals for yourself and take the time to practice until you get better and better. While you are learning, it is imperative that you are able to take constructive criticism and feedback on how you are doing from your mentor and coaches or even your peers and clients.

There will be a number of things in your life where you will only attain greatness as long as you practice. Whether you are looking to master a sport, give an amazing presentation or be an outstanding salesperson, there is nothing better than buckling down and practicing.

Half of the battle in this lifetime will be realizing that nobody is perfect. While you may be able to achieve a perfect score on a test or you may find the perfect house to live in, there are many more things out there that will get better with a little bit of practice. If you look at your area of business, there is always room for improvement. Why would you want to be perfect anyhow? It would seem as though perfection would be a little bit boring and lonely. After all, when you are perfect, you have nothing left to strive for, right?

They always say that practice makes perfect, when in reality practice only makes you want to practice more and more. And it’s not just practice, it’s perfect practice that makes the difference. Simply logging time does not cut it. While it may seem to be a daunting task to practice something repeatedly, you must keep your eye on the prize at all times in order to keep things in perspective.

“I know you’ve heard it a thousand times before.
But it’s true – hard work pays off.
If you want to be good, you have to practice, practice, practice.
If you don’t love something, then don’t do it.”
~ Ray Bradbury

Think about it … repetition is the mother of skill; it’s the key to learning or improving on anything, so practice, perfect practice!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jodi Nicholson ~ The Fabulous Coach, Consultant and Mentor. If you would like to experience a quantum leap in your life or business then coaching with her can be an ideal solution as you begin or continue your journey to a successful and fabulous life. For a complimentary consultation, please send an email to Jodi@jodinicholson.com with your contact information and best time to reach you. You may also call 1-888-689-1130 or visit online for more information. VISIT JODI ONLINE

 

Order Millionaire Secrets in You

Millionaire Secrets In You: Uncover, Unlock and Unleash The Success Within You

 

 

Success Leaves Clues …

Success Leaves Clues ~ Learn From Others Before You

By Jodi Nicholson

In 1954 Roger Bannister was the first person to break the four- minute mile. The next year over a dozen other people also did it. Something that hadn’t been done before in history is now common practice. Why? Because success leaves many clues and just because you haven’t done something yet, doesn’t mean it can’t be done. All you need to do is find someone who has done what you want and do exactly what they did to achieve it. Follow their blueprint; mirror their pattern. Certainly, you know plenty of people who you can look to and you will see their level of success. These people have worked hard to get where they are and you can look at them as shining examples of what you could be if you tried.

“If you want to be successful, find someone who has achieved the results you want and copy what they did and you’ll achieve the same results.” ~Anthony Robbins

Do you think that some of the successful people that have come before you have suffered from mixed thoughts of themselves or doubts in their abilities? Of course! However, they were able to look past these negative thoughts and feelings in order to focus on persevering and reaching all of their goals. Personal success and success in the business world will only come to you if you can take notes from the people who have succeeded before you in cutting all of the negative thoughts out of their path.

Libraries and bookstores are filled with books of people who have achieved great things and overcame what at the time seemed to be insurmountable obstacles. Their whole history of achievement is laid out there for you to learn from. If you put your hand in a pot of honey some of it will stick. Reading is no different, read a motivational or self help book and some of it will stick. Put the concepts into action and watch yourself gain momentum and improve.

“That some achieve great success, is proof to all that others can achieve it as well” ~Abraham Lincoln

Life is truly a journey and you may find a good number of people that you can look up to along the way, even a coach or mentor you if you choose. You can find people in your life or through books and seminars that you can look up to that will become a great source of strength and inspiration. This will be a wonderful asset to have and along the way, compliment yourself for wanting to be better rather then beating yourself up for any of the mistakes that arise.  Be fierce, persistent and un-afraid to talk out your thoughts and feelings with those people in your life that you look up to. I’ve been told many times by my coaching clients that they feel safe in the space we’ve created together, and totally free to express and explore the many facets of their life and business. This, for me personally, is a wonderful compliment to my coaching practice.

Take your life one step at a time. You can achieve great success when you take each goal as it comes, and then work onwards toward the next one. I set landmarks and checkpoints along the way when setting goals to stay on track and regroup when necessary. There may be any number of obstacles that you will need to overcome, so take some clues from the successful people who you can think of and look at some of the clues that they left behind. You can use these clues to set a solid structure in place for the foundation of your own success. You will also be setting your own new levels, and creating your own clues from your own personal experience.

“No one lives long enough to learn everything they need to learn starting from scratch. To be successful, we absolutely, positively have to find people who have already paid the price to learn the things that we need to learn to achieve our goals.”  ~Brian Tracy

Throughout your journey in life and the successes that you are longing for, you can learn a great deal from just about everyone that you meet. Life is a learning process and you have to be aware of everything surrounding you in order to make it. Remember, success leaves clues so think about it … you can achieve whatever you want in life. Just find someone who has done exactly what you want, do what they did to achieve it and you could end up with the same or similar results and possibly something even better.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Jodi Nicholson is an Entrepreneur, Success Coach and Mentor. Known as The Fabulous Coach she enjoys coaching, mentoring and consulting with clients from around the world in her private practice.

Mentoring ~ A Mentor is known as a wise and trusted counselor, teacher, facilitator or supporter.  If you would like to experience a quantum leap in your life or business then this aspect of development is ideal as Jodi Nicholson works with you on a very exclusive basis, immersing you on your journey to a successful and fabulous life. For a complimentary consultation or application into Jodi’s Mentorship program, please send an email to Jodi@jodinicholson.com with your level of interest, contact information and best time to reach you. You may also call 1-888-689-1130 or visit online for more information. VISIT JODI ONLINE