Strategies for Building Positive Personal Power - A Daily Goals List

In the 1970's, there was a Harvard University study done regarding goal setting. The findings of revealed that of the students studied only 3% actually wrote their goals down. This 3% were continued to be studied over the course of their lives and the results proved that they were significantly more successful than the population that did not write their goals.

I often share these findings with my clients and ask, "How many write goals?" Interestingly, the numbers remain consistent with the Harvard study - only about 3% or less think that they write their actual goals down. A cloud of failure becomes almost palpable, a sense of helplessness is immediately felt and a so what's the use attitude would start to set in.

As I continued to study and review the attitudes and behaviors that I would observe, I realized that I needed to support a feeling of hope and self confidence. I decided to introduce a second question. "How many write a to-do list?"

Guess what? Almost all of the hands in the room go up. The energy in the room is starting to shift. Next, I ask how many believe that the actions are the list could be considered short term goals. Now, all the hands in the room go up and the energy continues to rise.

Next we discuss how items on the to-do list has the potential to meet the criteria for a SMART goal - Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistically High, and Timed. I am finding it is much easier to build on a current habit and behavior than to have to start from scratch. Keeping this in mind, it is much easier to change the quality of a actions to meet the SMART criteria.

What is now communicated to the team is a simple shift in an approach - an expectation for success. The sense of pride and eagerness to take the project, the work, and lives to the next level is wonderful.

Beginning today, consider treating your to-do list as if it were your Daily Goals List. Please let me know if it makes any difference for you in your goals achievement process.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

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