I’ve finished graduate school almost twenty years ago. The last time I received a grade for a learning assignment Ronald Reagan was just leaving office. I’ve attended workshops and professional trainings since then, but long gone are the weekly classes and homework assignments. That is, until recently…

In January, I registered for a DreamWeaver web design course at the local community college. This wasn’t a job requirements or even a skill needed in my career. It was just something I wanted to learn. I’d learned some online through the excellent videos available at Lynda.com, but I felt that there was something of value in having an instructor to answer my questions.

We are now halfway through the semester long course and here’s some of the unexpected lessons I have learned (or relearned):

1. You can learn just as much from your classmates as you can from the teacher.

2. There are other ole’ dogs, just like me, looking to learn new tricks.

3. Spring break is still for the young and financially free.

4. Even when grades don’t matter, you still check the gradebook each week.

5. Everything is computerized, from registering for classes to viewing last week’s class presentation.

6. My son still doesn’t want to be seen with me on campus.

I’m really enjoying the classroom experience and will probably take another class later this year.  There is so much I still want to learn.  But the most important lesson is that education is not just for the young.  So take the time to learn a new skill or study an interesting subject.  Sign up for a class at your local community college.

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And the secret to using these power tools is to write down your goals. What, too simple? Not worth it’s own post? Well, stop a moment. Do you have written goals? Written goals with measurable results? Most people do not.  But nearly every highly successful person understands that having written goals is critical to achieving those goals.

Read any book on personal success or scan any list on goal setting and 99.9% of the time you will find something about the importance of putting your goals in writing.  So why is writing out your goals so important?  Written goals provide several advantages to helping achieve success:

1. The act of writing your goal helps you to better define exactly what you want to achieve.
2. Writing out a goal makes that goal seem more real.  It is the first physical step we take toward making it happen.
3. Written goals are easier to remember.  You can even post them in places to remind yourself throughout the day.
4. Written goals are like a contract with ourselves.  We are more likely to achieve those things that we have agreed to, in writing.

Now, take time to write out two to four goals for yourself.  It doesn’t matter if those goals are something you can accomplish tomorrow.  As a matter of fact, that is even better if written goals are new to you.  Write out your goals and put them somewhere you will see them each day.  And while your at it, jot down a date for when you’d like to have accomplished each goal.

Sure, it’s okay to use a computer…the modern substitute for the original power tools.  Just write down those goals and begin the steps necessary to achieve success!

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1. No one is more responsible for the current state of my life than me. The economy is not to blame. My boss didn’t create this situation. It wasn’t just good luck or bad luck. I don’t owe my neighbor the credit. I can’t blame George Bush. Regardless of how good or bad life is, I am the primary reason the way things are.

2. If things are going to change, it’s dependent on the action I take. If life takes a turn for the worse, it’s the result of something I did (or didn’t do). Likewise, if my life is to improve, it’s going to require action on my part. I am the captain of my ship.

I know, some of you want to ask a question like, “What if I’ve been in a terrible car crash and now I can’t walk.” What do you want me to say? Life sucks. You got a raw deal. There’s nothing you can do? Okay, life sucks and you got a raw deal, BUT there is so much that you can do!

Sure, you can spend the rest of your life blaming the driver of that car, or the boss that fired you, or the wife that left you. If you choose to give them that much power, it’s your choice. But no matter what…you HAVE a choice! You can choose to blame…or you can choose to live.

I choose not to give that much power to anyone in my life. My life is my design. My actions determine my successes AND my failures. Too often we want to find someone to blame for not getting the job or losing the business deal. We believe that prejudice, ignorance or some other factor, outside of our control, is responsible for where we are. We give control to others. But to blame others is to believe that what we do means nothing.

Start living your life by these two facts, and watch the difference it makes. Look at your situation and examine what you did to get there. Did you work hard? Were you purposeful in the actions you took? Did you put first things first? And most importantly, where are you headed and what actions will get you there?
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Goal Achievement Websites

1. Mind Tools - Essential skills for an excellent career
2. Time Management Guide - Personal time management articles
3. 43 Things - Start making your life list
4. Make Your Goals Happen - How to set and achieve your personal goals
5. Tools to Life - Changing lives together
6. Joe’s Goals - Online software for tracking your personal goals
7. Changing Course - Live life on purpose, work at what you love, follow your own road
8. The Magic of Goal Setting - Turn your vision into reality with the magic of goal setting
9. Motivation Point - Motivation for your achievement and success
10. Success Current - Your guide to success in life, health and business
11. U-Turn Ahead - Making a midlife career change
12. Living or Surviving - Live life to the fullest
13. I-Grow.net - Coaching for physical, spiritual and financial growth

Goal Achievement Blogs

1. StevePavlina.com - Personal development for smart people
2. zenhabits - Tips and ideas for simplifying your life and getting more done
3. Lifehacker - Tech tricks, tips and downloads for getting things done
4. Dealing Tips Blog - Self development and personal growth
5. Steve’s Goal - Self improvement that works…
6. Seven Actions - Setting goals, taking action, changing lives
7. Life Reboot - It takes courage to reinvent yourself

Goal Achievement Articles

1. Goals Guy - Ten commandments of goal-setting
2. Top Achievement - 7 steps to powerful written goals
3. About Goal Setting - Goal setting 20 minute tutorial: The blueprint
4. Family Guide - Setting healthy goals
5. Five Cent Nickel - Setting financial goals
6. Quote Garden - Quotes about setting goals
7. Yettichiu - Personal goal settings : 4 practical steps to achieving your goals

Goal Achievement Website That Cost Money

1. My Goals - Membership site for setting and tracking personal goals
2. Goal Pro - Serious software for serious goals
3. Anthony Robbins Companies - Resources and motivation for personal achievement

Goal Achievement Audio and Video

1. Tony Robbins | TEDTalks - 22 minute video of Tony Robbins at TED in 2006
2. Carol Castle | Success Secrets - 4 minute video on how to prioritize your to-do list
3. Brian Tracy | Personal Development - 3 minute video about personal success and creating luck
4. Achievement Radio - Streaming radio network on personal growth and better living

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So here is my plan to correct my problem and become more productive:

1. First, I need to take 30 minutes and clean off my desk.
2. Then I will set up a couple simple file systems for work that needs to be handy, but put somewhere other than a big pile.
3. Finally, I set an expectation for myself to clear off my desk top before I finish working each day. This will keep the mess from accumulating.

That’s the plan. Clutter gone, productivity should increase. What ideas do you have for reducing office clutter?

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The problem with most new year’s resolutions is that we set the goal too far in the future, or we try to make an abrupt 180° change of an old habit. Change is best achieved the same way we walk through a dark room, one small step at a time. We set a small goal and move in that direction. If we run into problems, we can readjust; keeping our mind on where we want to be when finished.

So, if you’ve given up on a new year’s resolution, I want to propose something. Instead of quiting, pick a easier goal with a shorter target date. For example, trying to quit smoking? How about just smoking two less cigarettes a day? Not sure how many you smoke? Then your first goal could be to simply record how much you smoke each day for two weeks. Oh, and don’t be surprised if you smoke a little less simply because you are keeping track.

The idea works with almost any goal. Start with a small step and set a goal of only a couple weeks. Then, when successful, set a new goal, maybe increasing your effort this time. If you are not successful, examine what went wrong and readjust your goal. Don’t get caught up in the “success or fail” attitude. It’s a “success or adjust” attitude that wins in the long run.

Now it’s your turn. Did you set new year’s goals, and how are you doing with them?

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So, I’ve given this some thought and I’ve got to make two important changes.

1. No food allowed in my home office. This should help address the snacking problem and help cut back on the messy office.
2. I will walk or jog for at least 30 minutes, 3-4 times a week. Actually, I like to run with a heart monitor, so I will exercise in my heart rate target zone for at least 30 minutes each time.

That’s it. Making these changes, effective tomorrow, should make the different. In a week or two I will let you know how I’m doing. In the meantime, what other simple suggestions might you offer?