Goal-setting
On Paper With Purpose

Goal-setting is a powerful personal and professional tool. It can change your direction and ultimately change your life.

Some people dream big while others do big.

Have you ever heard the words, "Life is not a dress rehearsal?" Well, it isn't!

Cemeteries all over the world are filled with people who are buried with their unfulfilled dreams and a multitude of regrets.

19 years ago I was at a crossroad in my life. The choice was to "Stay the course" or "Scratch an itch."

I chose the "Scratch an itch" route. And I have to confess I was motivated by fear.

The fear was ringing in my ears. If I took the easy way out and didn't risk everything I had to "Scratch this itch" - what would happen?

Of course I didn't know what would happen, but here's what I feared would happen.

My worst fear was that someday, probably on my deathbed, I would say or hear these words, "If only" and "It might have been."

It was John Greenleaf Whittier who wrote, “Of all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are: It might have been."

You see, I couldn't handle the nagging and persistent thought that someday someone might say to me, "Jim, if only . . ." I couldn't handle thinking about my regrets and contemplating "What might have been" years later in my life.

There are no guarantees in life just opportunities - especially if you're an entrepreneur or in sales.

You can seize the day!

You can also seize the sales opportunities in front of you!

You can also live the life you dream of living!

But you have to subscribe to the power of goal-setting to get the ball rolling.

Making the decision to pursue my dreams wasn't an easy one for me. In fact I tortured myself for three years wondering "Should I" or "Shouldn't I?"

I'll never forget this. In November 1987 I wrote my goal on a yellow legal pad. It was pure and simple and of course very specific. "My goal is to resign my position and start my sales training company on February 5, 1988." That's all I wrote. It was of course enough!

Once I put my goal on paper, I suddenly had purpose.

Whatever you want your life to become, you can do it.

Your goal must be on paper with purpose.

You sign contracts (License) to get married.

You sign contracts to buy a house.

You sign contracts (A Will) to leave your possessions to loved ones and charities.

Why not sign a contract, on paper with purpose, to live the one life you have, the way you want it to be?

Why dream big, when you can live big?

Just remember - on paper with purpose!

It all begins with goal-setting.

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