A fun, fab and easy way to make 2014 a year you’ll be super-proud of

This is just the BEST way to get 2014 turning out how you’d like it. In a business-y kinda way and assuming no disasters and stuff. It’s called “Diary of a Goal”

‘Diary of a Goal’ is like a super-clever version of your business journal and it really works! Here’s what you do:

1. Pick your very important goal for next year. I won’t trouble you now with how to set goals. I can write another Post about that. Just make sure it’s something:

• simple to articulate (tho’ tricky to do!)
• measurable
• you really want to make happen!

So I’m going to pretend that your goal for next year is to make 1000 sales.

2. Name your Diary after your goal. So let’s call it Diary of 1000 sales. Don’t miss this step, it’s super-clever! The act of writing it, reading it, seeing it as a title etc sticks your goal very firmly into your subconscious. And that’s where you want it. Because once something is in your subconscious, your brain kind of works on it without you having to! Truly. It’s clever brain stuff! Magic will happen.

3. Start now with a little warm-up time. I’ve started my 2014 Diary now. It’s getting me in the mood for next year. Plus it gives an extra month or so to work on that goal!

4. Write about your planning. Good stuff to write about during your warm-up is:

• how you set your goal
• plans to reach your goal
• worries you have about reaching your goal
• why your goal is important
• the first steps you’re going to take towards your goal

5. Write in your diary every day. You don’t have to write much but you do have to write daily. Just say what you’ve done today towards your goal. Most things can be angled in some way towards that. For example taking a day off work  freshens up your mind so you will be more productive tomorrow. I also like to write a couple of points each under the headings “YAY” and “Yikes”. There’s always something to put there!

6. Having trouble knowing what to write?! Imagine you ARE going to reach your goal. And when you do you’re going to be invited to give a talk (or write a book about) how you did it. Your diary will be the basis of what you’re going to say. Now write it as you go!

7. Write as much as you want. if you really enjoy writing in your Diary (I do!) then write as much as you want about whatever you want! I find that when I write a lot I start to get a bunch of really good ideas. Write them in the Diary too. It’s kinda fun to look back later and see when you hatched an idea!

8. Check in to see how you are going towards your goal. I’m sure you will do this anyway. But write it in your diary. Not too often. Say, monthly?

9. Always write down good stuff! A big new order, a mention in an influential blog post, a fab testimonial from a client. Write them down!

10. Every so often read your early Diary entries. I love looking back in mine! Helps me see what I’ve achieved  – and sometimes it’s tricky to get that kind of perspective!

11. See how your activity changes. And here’s the magic of the “Diary of a goal’. Once you get into the habit of writing daily about what you are doing to achieve your goal you’ll start making sure you have good things to write! It happens subconsciously. Truly!

Fancy giving this a go? I use Day One to keep my journal. You can use whatever you like – a word doc, google apps, or even *goodness* handwrite one. What do you think? Tell us in the comments.

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