During the last several years as a small business coach and educational consultant, I have informally surveyed over 1,000 small business owners, executives, entrepreneurs and even young people. What I have learned, to no one's suprise, is that everyone wants success. Yet, if this is true, then why isnt there more success?

Possibly, the answer to this question lies within the process of goal planning and goal achievement. Using the following strategic 7 tips may help you to consistently achieve more goals, increase your dream for incredible success and live a life of peace and abundance.

1. Goals must be written. Committing a goal to writing creates permanence not found in just having a mental thought or dream. Written goals have greater clarity and provide for a more detailed focus.

2. Goals require criteria. Much like the favorite receipt of Aunt Emma, a goal also requires specific ingredients that are always used to ensure consistent, high quality results. The S.M.A.R.T criteria are one such example.

3. Goals must be stated positively. For example, writing a goal that begins I will not gain 10 pounds has just the reverse affect on the brain. The brain due to negative conditioning tunes out the not and hears I will gain 10 pounds. A better written goal would be I will maintain my current weight.

4. Goals should be an emotional buy in. The why for achieving the goal needs to be answered. This response should include both the rewards and consequences specific to achieving or not achieving the goal.

5. Goals should include positive affirmation or what I call belief statements. These positive self-talk statements help to continue a strong mental image for achieving the goal.

6. Goals should identify all the potential obstacles, challenges or problems that need to be overcomed to achieve the goal. By taking the time to think about all the potential reasons for not being successful.

7. Goals should be yours. We achieve those goals that are most important to us because we created them. Achieving goals for others does not deliver the same emotional high than when we truly own the goals.

Leanne Hoagland-Smith

Good Day. Thanks for visiting. I hope that you have enjoyed my articles. In 1999, I founded ADVANCED SYSTEMS because I saw that performance could and should be doubled in warp time. Individuals, small and large businesses could not afford expensive solutions that may or may not deliver improved results in 12 months.

From my corporate, small business and education experiences, I recognized the individuals must have opportunities for connecting their passion to their purpose to secure the desired performance results, but many lacked the necessary skills, strategies and tools.

With over 20 years in sales management and 10 years in education, I understand how to unite productivity with profitability by developing a proactive working culture. My previous experiences resulted in cost savings through one of the first implementations of a computer software in a wholesaler distributor to the creation of a vendor performance assessment.

Since facilitating over 500 sessions, developing and editing over 25 training programs and writing numerous articles focusing on performance improvement, I bring a results focused approach to my clients. Also, I am proud to be one of the first five nationally certified facilitators of America?s Rising Stars (a Student Leadership developmental curriculum).

My passion is to help others connect their passion to their purpose to double performance. As The small business coach in Chicago, my clients have easily doubled their performance. Since our greatest resource is our young people, I am now working with large urban schools to generate the same results.

Education Background

• Graduated with honors from Purdue University with a B.A. in Education
• Earned M.S. from Purdue University in Instructional Design and Curriculum
• Published in the national trade journal, The Supply House Times, and numerous national newsletters
• Developed seminars and training on diversity, communication, leadership, sales, effective trade show behavior, networking, knowledge management, goal setting and improved educational outcomes
• Co-authored M.A.G.I.C.A.L. Potential: 7 Capicities for Living an Amazing Life Beyond Purpose to Achievement, to be available in 2006
• Working a another book focusing on performance in public education
• Speaker in a national bureau - Resource Associates Corporation