One goal that I am very proud to have accomplished this year is the launch of my new website!  This goal of a new website began in 2011 I simply did not move forward because of feeling overwhelmed and unsure of the steps necessary.  Two contributing factors moved me from inertia.  My executive coach, Darlene Templeton, assigned a 30-day project and I chose my website.   My timeline was in place, as was accountability.  Secondly, I asked for help and hired Trish Lee of Time Salvation to assist me in moving forward from this stagnate spot.  Trish listened and clarified as I shared my objectives, tasks, target dates and responsibilities of others such as website designer and branding expert, Tammy Tribble.   Trish prepared an orderly spreadsheet outlining the details and the cloud in my head disappeared as I new the exact action steps to take.

Each time I checked off an item, I gained confidence and determination to finish in 30 days.  Dreaded tasks were completed and I felt control over the project instead of these activities controlling me.  My team was working together and progressing quickly.

Goal clarity is driven by the deep emotional need to succeed, a need that causes you to want to earn more have more or be more.  It is usually the hope or gain or the fear of pain that drives you to strive for higher goals.  My website was part of my business strategy to grow my visibility.

Often as we set and begin working on goals, a natural resistance to change sets in that can make us settle for the same goals we’ve always had.  It is hard to let go of our well-established, safe, secure comfort levels.  It is just easier to keep the status quo.  To not run risks.  To not rock the boat.  To settle for what we’ve been settling for.

If you have ever been kept from reaching your goals by self-limiting thoughts, you are not the only one.  Words like search engine optimization and infographics along with the need for video throttled my self confidence.  The truth is that the moment you set higher goals, you trigger the following emotions.

1.  Initial excitement – the thrill of new possibilities can be intoxicating until you realize how much extra effort is usually required before change can take place.

2.  Conflict – you might wonder, “Can I actually achieve this new goal?  What if I try and fail?”

3.  Doubt – focusing on the difficulties or roadblocks and wondering whether you can overcome them.

4.  Resistance to change – the idea of changing your habits, beliefs, and routines becomes uncomfortable.

5.  Commitment – a renewed sense of dedication to whatever work, learning,or effort it might take to reach your new goals.

6.  Acceptance – finally believing deep down that you’re capable of reaching your new goals.

People who successfully reach their goals almost always experience all six of these emotional stages.  Many people, however, get stalled out in the second, third, or fourth stage and progress no further.  They want to prevent any future pain of failure, they unconsciously quit setting goals. They opt to stay where they are and remain at that comfort level.  Stages two to four are formidable emotional barriers we must move through before we can fulfill our dreams.  Goal achievement is largely an emotional or self-esteem issue.  We can reach only the goals that our self-beliefs allow us to achieve.  so the real challenge lies in enlarging our own internal picture of what we’re capable of achieving, and what we deserve to have.

One more piece required for goal clarity is the reward.  Too often we put a checkmark beside the accomplishment and forget to celebrate.  I visualize myself having dinner at Truluck’s with my husband, Eric, as we toast this accomplishment.

If you are interested in learning more about the 4 traits of highly successful sales people, visit my home page and subscribe to Solutions.  You will receive a bonus of the 4 traits and descriptions.  One caveat about the four traits is that they cannot be intellectually learned.  Simply reading this article does not mean that you now have these traits.  They must be experimentally developed.  You gain them by practicing certain actions in real-life situations – such as my website battle.   Experiencing the agony of defeat and the thrill of victory; making a no-withdrawal commitment to higher success as one believes that rewards will come.  In the past 12 years, I have been working with individuals on sales team to increase their self beliefs with a commitment to success.  Today I increased my own.