Zig Ziglar is a master of story telling and motivation and an accomplished speaker and businessman. In this three-part video series he gives us the recipe for successful goal setting and achievement. In typical Ziglar fashion, he delivers his goal setting formula with humor, truth, and impact. I’ve summarized what I believe to be the most important take away points for each.

In this first video he talks about the why and how of goal-setting. Zig gives us his own goal setting formula and emphasizes why following a formula is the key to achieving goals.

GOALS are CHOICES

Point number 1- GOALS are CHOICES. Zig refers to himself as choosing to be overweight for twenty-four years. Every day we decide what we will do. As he puts it, “I have never accidentally eaten anything!” So to reach our potential requires that we make smart choices. Goal setting is the best way to decide our destiny.

Point number 2- GOALS are a MUST! You and I absolutely must have goals and then we must choose to act upon those goals each day.

“Give me a stock-clerk with a goal and I’ll give you a man who’ll make history. But give me a man without a goal and I’ll give you a stock-clerk.” ~ J.C. Penny

Point number 3- GOALS require a PLAN! So here’s how Ziglar outlines the steps recipe of successful goal setting.

ZIG ZIGLAR GOAL-SETTING FORMULA:

• You gotta write your goals down.
• Put a date on your goals.
• Identify the obstacles of your goals.
• Identify the people & groups you need to work with to reach your goals.
• Find out what it is you need to know.
• Develop a plan of action and write it down -”What’s in it for me?” What will accomplishing this goal really mean to you?
  

DON’T WAIT. DO IT NOW.

Ziglar shoots straight about procrastination and reminds us that we can’t wait for perfect timing. There’s no such thing. Opportunity won’t wait and goals don’t just happen. “The people who wait for changes to take place somewhere out there before they do the changing inside miss out.”
The simple rule? Do it NOW.

SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

DREAMS, DIRECTION, & DOING MATTERS

“You can’t make it as a one dream generality – you gotta become a meaningful specific. ~ Zig Ziglar”

DIRECTION MAKES THE DIFFERENCE

Ziglar talks about the lack of direction that usually gets in the way of achieving goals. Dreaming and setting dreams as long-range goals keep us busy and directed at the same time without the danger of “confusing activity as accomplishment.”

Here are some key points of this discussion:

1. Lack of time is simply an excuse. We all have 24 hours.
2. Problem is not lack of time but lack of direction.
3. Without direction, we cannot truly Focus.
4. Focus is what gives us the power to move forward and make a dent in the universe.
5. Focus on the goal and the most important next task.

ACTION IS AN ELIXIR

• Logic will not change an emotion, but action will.
• Benefits of goals – hard to be depressed when you’re chasing your dreams.
• Setting goals and taking action creates excitement

You need your dreams! You will never make it as a wandering generality. You must become a meaningful specific.

CHOOSE ACCOMPLISHMENT OVER ACTIVITY & SIGNIFICANCE OVER JUST SOMETHING

Don’t be a processionary caterpillar blindly confusing activity with accomplishment. What you and I do matters and we only have a short time to choose wisely.
So whatever you do, MAKE IT REMARKABLE.