What do you think is the difference between a goal and a dream?

Well, a DREAM is a DREAM. It’s something you’re HOPING to have and it only exists in a dream.  A GOAL, on the other hand, has a detailed PLAN, target date, steps and resources that can be carried out to make that GOAL becomes reality.

But, how do you set financial goals?

First, list down all the financial goals you want to accomplish. For each goal, try to assign an estimated timeframe needed to achieve the goal. The timeframe may change when you spell out the steps and resources needed to accomplish your goals later.

Also, arrange goals that you think can be accomplich in 3 to 6 months under a category “Short-Term Goals”. Similarly, goals that take 6 months to 1 year to accomplish under “Medium-Term Goals” and those that take more than 1 year to accomplish under a category “Long-Term Goals”.

For example, if your goal is to earn an extra income stream of $1,000 a month, and you estimate that it will take you 3 months to accomplish it, then put this goal under the “Short-Term Goals”.

Next, you will need to specify in details the STEPS needed to accomplish each goal and also allocate resources required to implement those steps. Note that the estimated timeframe or target date you set initially may change after you plan and spell out the steps and resources required to accomplish the goal.

Here are some useful tips that can help:

Be realistic. Do not state goal like “I want to earn $10 Million in 3 months”. If you have a big goal, break it down into several milestones and focus on achieving one milestone at a time.

Be persistent and don’t give up! Setbacks will always happen but you should not give up when setbacks occur. Learn and grow from what happened and move forward. Treat your setbacks or failure as lessons learned.

Keep your motivation high by referring to your list of goals often. Track your progress by focusing on accomplishing each milestone.

ACTION ACTION and ACTION. Take action consistently. Without action, nothing will happen. You can only realize your financial goals by taking action!

If you want to learn how to achieve exactly what you want in life step-by-step, check out the following book (click the image below for more info).

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Goal setting is important for many reasons. Goals can help bring out our passion and create ambition. Having a goal in life also gives us something to look forward to and purpose in life. However, in order to achieve your goals, you must set them.

When setting a goal, make sure that you set a completion date on it. If the size of your goal is big, break it down into a manageable steps. Each of these steps are the milestones. You should also assign completion date on each milestone.

Milestones with corresponding completion dates assigned are very important, they give a sense of urgency for you to work toward your goal. They make goals become real. Reward yourself as you reach your goal, this can help motivate you for accomplishing bigger goals.

Milestones also allow you to track or see the forward progress you are making toward achieving your goal. You might consider listing all the tasks of a milestone in a form of chart with estimated completion dates assigned. As you reach each milestone you know you’re one step closer to reaching your final goal.

If you think you need to brush up or acquire certain skills through training or personal development in order to accomplish your goal, such training should also be part of your milestones.

Goal setting is very important. When you lay out your goals with specific time frames and milestones, they not only keep you focus but also provide a way for you to measure just how close you are to actually reaching your goals.

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If you always find yourself complaining about lack of time, perhaps it’s time now for you to learn how to manage your time more effectively. Everybody has 24 hours a day - no more no less! So it actually doesn’t make good sense if you complain that you do not have enough time.

Time management is actually nothing but a self disciplinary act to focus on high-value or productive activities. This is the only way that allows you to accomplish more important tasks in the concept that we call time.

An easy technique you can use to comprehend time management is to take a piece of paper and divide it into three equal column. Label the first column as “SLEEP”, the second column as “WORK” and the third as “OTHERS”. This means each day you have 8 hours of sleeping, 8 hours of working and another 8 hours doing other things.

The 8 hours in the first column are more or less cast on stone as we all need 8 hours of rest each day. The other 2 x 8 hours in the second and third columns are what most people complaining they don’t have enough. So how come 16 hours a day is not enough? Where have all the time gone?

Well, one of the main reasons why we always feel out of time is the fact that we’re spending it on unproductive activities. Just think of your typical day in the office, how do you spend your time? What kind of activities do you do? Do you spend too much time talking on the phone? Checking emails too often? Gossiping with co-workers?

There are many time waster activities that we could be doing each day without even realizing it. Therefore, the solution is to learn how to manage your time more effectively by cutting down your time spent on unproductive things and focus on accomplishing productive works.

Here are some effective time management tips to help you:

1. Set goals and write down all the tasks that need to be done to move you closer to your goals. Prioritize the tasks and set your mind on them. You need to focus at least 90% of your time on those productive works that will bring you closer to your goals.

2. Set a date for each goal so that you know when each goal needs to be accomplished.

3. Create a daily to-do list that lists all the tasks need to be done according to their priorities. You need to know what tasks need to be done first and what can wait. Do the most important tasks first; those that take you closer to your goals.

4. Learn to delegate tasks. Do you have too many projects at hand? Do you find yourself taking works home on a regular basis? If you answer yes, time for you to learn how to delegate. When you delegate tasks, make sure you define a clear goal, deadlines and provide all the needed resources and information.

5. If you’ve a big project, break it down into smaller and manageable pieces so that you won’t be overwhelmed by the sheer size of the project.

These are just some of the tips to help you focus on your goals and manage your time more effectively. Hope you find it useful.

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In the competitive and fast-paced society we’re living in today, conflicts and clashes in relationships are simply inevitable. I’m sure you have had experienced conflicts with your colleagues, friends and even the loved ones in your life.

As a matter of fact, conflict is okay and it will happen at some point in life, nobody can avoid it. It’s how you handle the conflict that makes the difference. The way you deal with a conflict will either bring peace or create further conflicts.

Poor communications that result in misunderstandings are often the root cause of conflict. Therefore, effective communication skills are crucial when it comes to dealing with conflicts efficiently, fairly and resolutely.

Here are a few tips to help you improve your communication skills:

1. Shut Up and Listen.

When the other person is talking, pay attention and listen carefully! Most people are trying to interrupt when other person is talking or thinking what they’re going to say next. Next time when you’re communicationg with someone, try to shut up and listen when the other party is talking. Do not interrupt, do not judge and do not get defensive. Just listen!

Learn to paraphrase. When others finish talking or have expressed their opinions, restate what you’ve heard to show that you understand them. If you do not agree with the person, do not suggest that he or she is wrong. Acknowledge others’ opinions, share your views and then compare the differences objectively.

When you find agreements, build upon them. When you find differences or disagreements, compare them. That’s the foundation for effective communication.

2. Stay Focused on the issue at hand.

When you’re dealing with a conflict, do not try to bring up the past conflicts! Doing so will only create more conflicts. Stay focused on the present issue, try to understand one another and find a solution. Remember: Agree, Build and Compare differences.

3. If You’re Wrong, Own It!

Effective communication involves admitting when you’re wrong. Many of us see admitting wrong-doing is a weakness. Personal responsibility is a strength rather than weakness. When conflict arises, usually both party have their fair share. Stepping up to own your share of responsibility is magnanimous and can diffuse the situation immediately. It shows maturity in you and set a great example for others.

The courage to admit wrong-doing will make it safe for others to express their views and respond in kindness. This will more likely lead to mutual understanding and solution.

4. Think Win-Win.

When communicating in a conflict situation, think win-win! Instead of trying to win an argument, listen empathically to what other has to say first, then share your views. Focus on the things that both of you can agree upon, and build on it. Then, compare and compromise. Effective and healthy communication involve finding a solution that both sides can be happy with.

I hope these effective communication tips are useful for you.

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In the last post, we talked about some of the many benefits of meditation. In this article, we will talk about a popular type of meditation called mindfulness meditation. What is it and how do you go about practising it.

Mindfulness meditation - as opposed to concentrative meditation where you focus your mind on a single thing - involves focusing your mind on the present moment. To elaborate further, it means being fully aware of your thoughts, your actions and everything around you at present, without judging anything.

Mindfulness meditation is very effective in helping those to forget their painful or unhappy past. It encourages you to live and focus on the present moment, without judging or punishing yourself from the past mistakes or expecting anything from the future.

How do you practice mindfulness meditation?

1. Find a quiet place where you can sit comfortably.

2. Place a meditation cushion or pillow on the floor sit on it.

3. Sit with your head, neck and back straight. Relax all the muscles.

4. Close your eyes.

5. Try not to think about the past or future. Stay in the present by becoming aware of your breathing. Feel the air as it’s moving in and out of your body. Feel your belly rise as you inhale and fall as you exhale. Just focus your attention on each breath you take.

6. When a thought comes up, don’t try to ignore or suppress it. Simply note it and stay calm by focusing on your breath. The idea here is to become an observer of your mind. Just watch every thought as it comes and goes, whether it’s a sad or happy thought. Just observe, do not try to interpret or judge it.

Practice mindfullness meditation daily for 20 minutes and you will find yourself become more forgiving, calm, less stressful and more happy. You will start to direct your energy and focus on the present instead of wasting it on thinking about the past or worrying about the future. That’s the benefits you will get from practicing meditation. Believe me, it works!

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In the fast-paced world we’re living in today, meditation is one of the most sought after techniques for stress relief. It’s also highly recommended by doctors. Many studies have shown that by just meditating for a few minutes each day can greatly reduce your stress level.

Here are some more benefits you can experience through meditation:

• Meditation allows your mind to relax, it can help you to focus better. Being able to focus will help you perform your works better, communicate better, make better decisions, and handle problems more effectively.
• Meditation allows you to put your past mistakes on the back burner. You will be able to direct your energy for more positive things instead of wasting it by clinging on the past.
• Meditation can improve your physical as well as mental health. You are less likely to contract serious health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, etc.
• You will be able to control anger and negative emotions better. You will find yourself connect more easily with your loved ones, family members and friends. People will feel more comfortable to be around you, this allows you to be more happy in life.
• Meditation allows you to become the real you, the one that you want to be, rather than the person that is held captive by the world around them. It allows you to be in touch with your inner power or the natural state of your being.

There are many more benefits of meditation. The experience is going to be unique for each individual. If you want to take advantage of all the greatness of meditation, you should learn how to meditate. There is a tool that can help you achieve meditative state quickly, watch the video below to learn more.

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If you always find yourself working late, perhaps it’s time for you to stop, think and ask yourself a few questions… Is it because you really have too much work to do or do you just do not know how to manage your time properly? Is the company lacking in good management practices? Poor human resources management? Inefficient work processes?

Well, working late once in a while is normal. For example, during the months of company audits, there are times that I need to stay back and work with the auditors. However, if work-late occurs too frequently, it can have negative effects on your productivity, family relationships and even personal health.

In a dynamic and fast-paced society we’re living in today, maintaining a work-life balance can be challenging. To overcome this problem, companies should create a flexible work environment to help their staffs manage the demands of works and personal lives.

That’s why we’re now starting to see some companies implementing flexible work-life programs that include variable working hours, telecommuting, part-time employment, plus other options such as a split of their staffs times between office and home work.

Many employers are starting to realize that high performance and productivity are sustainable only if people have a healthy work-life balance. In order to have a work-life harmony, you must also learn to develop healthy work habits and strive for higher productivity and performance.

If you’re a manager or employer, make sure your company invest significantly in training to improve productivity. Adopt outcome-oriented performance management criteria in your appraisals that focus on work performance rather than number of hours spent in the office. Only then you’re able to break the work-late habits.

Therefore, productivity and good time management are keys to eradicating the work-late pitfal.

Also, technological advances are helping a great deal for those who are skilled at using technology to work smart rather than hard. Technology is beginning to change the way people think about how, when and where work needs to be done.

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Perhaps you have heard about this saying “What the mind can conceive, it can achieve.”  Well, guess what? It’s true and nobody can deny it. If you put your mind and soul in everything you do, you will succeed.

This process of conditioning your mind for achieving success is necessary as the journey to success may not be smooth all the way. You will likely encounter many challenges and obstacles along the way. You might even experience failure before you can reap any reward of success. So, you also need to learn how to handle challenges and failures.

Learning to successfully handle failures, setbacks and challenges begins with your approach to everything in life, more particularly the little things in life. You need to condition your mind to see things on the bright side so that you can approach everything positively. Conditioning your mind for success requires you to nurture and develop new habits, which are formed through all the little things you do, day in and day out.

Positive habits are essential to help you see through difficulties, challenges and setbacks during your journey to success. In order to nurture positive habits, you need to get rid of negative habits that can prevent you from achieving your goals. You need to create certain goals for yourself that will help you condition your mind to achieve whatever you desire. Positive mindset and habits are perhaps two of the most important factors in helping you to achieve your goals.

When it comes to goal-setting and goal-getting, your goals need to be specific, achievable and measurable. You need to be able to keep measuring your goal from time to time to see if you make any progress or not. Break your goals down into manageable tasks, prioritize them and tackle one at a time. Focus on your goals and ignore those activities that do not move you closer to your goals.

Also, assign a specific date to your goal as a deadline for its achievement. Make a plan and take action accordingly. The best way is to write down what you are going to do to achieve your goal and how you are going to do it. Visualize your goal every day. Be emotional and try to get the feeling you will have when you achieve your goal, what the achievement will mean to you, how you are going to celebrate your achievement etc. The more you visualize, the more you will strive to achieve your goals. Make it to become a passion within you as passion will fuel action.

When things are not going as planned, don’t give up. Adjust your plan and continue to move forward. One of the keys to success is to be able to remain focused and positive even when things are not going your way.

Whatever you have been longing for in your heart, you can have it as long as you put your mind and soul in it. Success starts with your mind. So, if you want to have success, start condition and calibrate your mind for success today. Indeed, what the mind can conceive, it can achieve!

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Everyone will experience setbacks at some point in time. No matter how well you plan, there will always be unexpected problems cropping up. In fact, most of us are not going to achieve success without a few setbacks. They are part of success, so the best thing is to learn how to deal with them.

Here are three tips to help you deal with setbacks when they occur:

Tip #1: Acknowledge your setbacks.

If setbacks occur, trying to bottle them up or ignore is not going to help. If you encounter a setback, whether it is procrastinating a task, eating a food you’re not supposed to eat, or skipping a workout, try to acknowledge it. How do you feel about it? Are you feeling angry with yourself? Guilty? Sad? Disappointed?

Try to acknowledge any feeling associated with the setback and accept it as normal. Do not judge, blame or mock yourself. When we have a setback, negative emotions will crop up and cause us to think negatively of ourselves. The self-defeating thoughts can destroy your self-esteem.

So, the key to dealing with setback is just acknowledge that you made a mistake. Tell yourself that this is normal and you will learn from your mistake. Do not allow the negative emotions to overwhelm you.

Tip #2: Examine your setbacks and learn from them. 

Why did you have a setback? Was there an event that set you up for failure? For example, you procrastinate to start a project because it is too big. If this is the case, then you can try to break down into manageable tasks and list them down according to priority. That way it helps you to focus at one thing at a time, not to be overwhelmed by too many tasks.

This is how you examine and learn from your setbacks. You try to understand what caused the setback, how to work it out and what can you do to avoid them next time. In the previous example, you now know that you will suffer a setback unless you break down a big project into a manageable parts. This is empowering and will help you avoid setback next time. Just recognize that setbacks happen and they don’t have to be negative if you can learn from them.

Tip #3:  Focus on the positive sides. 

We tend to judge ourselves on our failures. It’s as if there is an inner voice that is blaming and telling us off. “you don’t deserve it”, “you’re not worth it”, “you’re stupid”, “you will never get what you want”, etc.. All these are self-defeating thoughts that can be very detrimental.

Therefore, you need to be aware of them and do not allow them to mock and scold you like that. Rather than focusing on the negative emotions, try to focus on the positive sides. Tell yourself that it’s normal to make mistakes, you will learn from your mistakes, move on and do a better job next time.

That’s how you deal with setbacks. Hope you find the tips useful.

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Many of us like to put thing off till the last minute. There are many reasons why people procrastinate. Lack of desire, lack of motivation, fear of failure, lack of self-esteem or confidence, overwhelmed with too many unproductive activities or just simply plain lazy.

Procrastination can be a hard nut to crack once it has become a habit. So do not let it to grow larger and larger until it overwhelms your life. It can give you enormous stress and ruin your life. If you feel that you are a procrastinator, take step to stop it today!

Here are five simple ways to help you stop procrastination:

1. Get organized. Start by tidying up your work desk, organize and put things you use everyday in their places. Do the same with your house or apartment as well. If you have children, teach them to put things in their places. And the best way to teach them is to set a good example. If you make it a habit to tidy up things around you, your children will pick up this good habit as well.
2. Focus on your goals. In the hustle and bustle world we’re living in, often times, we’re overwhelmed with tasks that we don’t know where to start. So, take time to list down all the tasks and sort out those that are important in accomplishing your goals. Focus and pay more attention to those tasks that will move you closer to your goals.
3. Be accountable and take responsibility for your own life. Share the goals or projects you want to accomplish with your loved ones and closed friends. By sharing, you’re essentially creating an accountability for yourself. Most of us want others to think highly of us, this is human’s nature. So the more people know your goals, the more likely you will take action.
4. Set deadlines to your tasks or projects. This is very important because nothing you get done if there is no deadline. Deadlines will give you a sense of urgency to take action and put a halt to procrastination.
5. Stay motivated. There are many things you can do to stay motivated. First, of course you must have a goal or desire for success. Then, help yourself to stay motivated. You can read books that are inspirational, attend seminars and hang around with people who are positive. When you accomplish a goal (no matter how small it is), reward yourself for a job well done.

So here you have them, five simple steps to stop procrastination on its track. Make sure you start to apply them in your daily life.

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