Tag Archive for: Goals

The Power of a Deadline

Isn’t it amazing how much you can accomplish when you know that it absolutely has to get done. It could be the term paper that is due the next day, the taxes that need to be filed or the rent that is due the end of the month. When faced with a hard deadline things just seem to get done. At this point failure is not an option and excused be damned, you are laser focused on the end result. This is the time for massive action.

What have you been putting off that you could be doing now? Did you make a goal to finely get in shape this year, and just realized that it is now February and all you do is work and watch tv. Did you say that you this will be the year that you are better at managing your money, yet you are still living pay check to pay check. Or better yet, you said that this was the year that you moved out of your parents basement.

Well Carpe Diem, today’s the day that you set a hard dead line for your goals and tell all your friends just so you are held accountable. Start with a few push-ups, sit-ups or a 5 min walk. Open up a TSFA, set up automatic deposit and delete Amazon or any shopping apps off of your phone. Start saving for a down payment or for the apartment. Do something today that moves the needle forward.

I look forward to hearing from you in regards to your mortgage needs.

Pat

p.s- You can click on this link to start the process whenever you are ready. Schedule your meeting with me here.

p.s.s- I should tell you that I am licensed in Nova Scotia, Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

New Year New You, or Same Old Story?

Happy New Year, I hope 2015 was a great one for you and that 2016 will be even better. What are your plans for improving your life in 2016? Or are just content in just doing the same old thing day after day and getting the same results? You know that’s the definition of insanity right!

Most people including myself have been no different, use the new year as a time to write down their goals for the year. However what happens for most ( I am guilty of this as well)  is that they write them down then they forget about them. Once you have written them, that’s a great 1st step accomplished. Now you must detail a plan for accomplishing them.

The reason that I am writing about this is because I want to make 2016 the best year ever and I want this for you as well. It really doesn’t matter if you want to quit smoking, lose weight, get in shape or pay off debt. The process is all pretty much the same.

Write down what you want to achieve as if you have already achieved it. This tricks your brain into thinking it’s possible. Do not doubt for one second that it can be done. If you do then you are as they say – toast. Review your goals morning and night. Keep them top of mind so you stay focused on what you want to accomplish. Break them down to tiny bite sized pieces and set mini daily goals that will lead you to achieving the bigger goal.

Jerry Seinfield has a great story about his approach to goal setting. He treats his daily actions as links on a chain. Where all he has to do is to stay consistent in his daily actions and that will bring him closer to his goals.  Break from your success habits and you break the chain. If you want to write a book, commit to a small goal a writing a page a day, by the end of the year you will have 365! The same applies to paying off debt, getting in shape or learning a new language. A little goes a long way.

Consistency is the key. I just found 2 new apps for my iPhone that are helping me with my 2016 journey. The 1st is called “productive”- habit tracker. It does just that, gives you reminders to make sure that you do the little things that will lead you in the right direction. The 2nd one is called Pomodoro. It is based on breaking your productivity down to 25 minutes chunks of time with no distractions. None, zip, zero, nada. So this means no facebook, no instagram, twitter or playing or answering your phone. The goal for most people is to do 8 to 10 pomodor’s daily and you get a whole lot done.

I had forgotten that I had made a goal of writing a blog post till about 25 minutes ago, the reminder popped up, I set my timer and got to work.  It also helps that I don’t like undone reminders on my phone.

So what ever your goal is, write it down, believe you can do it, take small consistent  daily actions and you will get there. See you at the finish line.

Cheers,

Pat

 

P.S- Also here is a good book that I just stared reading. There is a lot of great idea’s there to jump start your progress to help you make 2016 the best year ever.

Committed?

Are you or should you be? To your goals that is. This hit me when one of my friends from the gym saw me today and commented that I must not be committed as I did not make it in for my regular workout time of 05h30 yesterday. My excuse was that one of our kids was up a few times over night. However excuses be gone, come hell or high water I will certainly be there for tomorrow.

When you think about it, are you committed to the successful attainment of your goals? If you are not, or worse if you don’t have your goals written down ( shame on you if that is the  case) then you are just breathing and not really living.

If getting out of debt is your goal. Then you should write your goal like this, ” I am making X per month or year” rather than ” I am paying off my debt”. When you include what you do not want in your goals, you end of thinking of what you do not want. See your self as already having acheived your goal, feel it and live it.

Want help in creating your plan? Then feel free to give me a call, I would be glad to help you.

Cheers,

Pat

p.s- You can find me on Twitter,Linkedin, Facebookand friendfeed.

Star or supporting part?

Put it this way, if there was a movie made of your life, would you be playing a leading role or a supporting part? By this I mean are you making the decisions that determine the overall direction of your life, or it is some other party like a spouse or boss? Don’t get me wrong, this is not a recommendation to act like a dictator. I simply mean that if you do not have clearly defined goals and plans to achieve them, then you are working to help someone else achieve theirs.

Believe it or not, it is not that hard to do. You can start small and work up. What do you want to achieve tomorrow, next week, next month and next year. Then describe in vivid detail what your long term goal looks like once it has been obtained. Have your big goal firmly in mind even while working on your short term goals.

If your goal is to be in fitness cover model shape then missing your workouts and eating double cheese burgers may not be in your best interest.  If you are in sales and your goal is to qualify for the company trip then you must make the calls. As well if you want to get out of debt then you must be keenly aware of how much money you have coming in and how much you have going out and to where. Then sit down and see if there are opportunities where you can increase your income, and cut expenses if possible. If you would like help developing a plan to help you eliminate your debt as quickly as possible, please feel free to contact my office. I look forward to hearing from you.

Cheers,

Pat

p.s- You can find me on Twitter,Linkedin, Facebookand friendfeed.

Big Goals are meant to be shared!

At one time or another everyone has started off a new year with a list of goals and objectives they want to accomplish. The common goals that people have are; to lose weight, quit smoking, get in shape, make more money and get out of debt. They start the new year off with all the right intentions; some take action but not everyone. Most people quit before they succeed. What most people don’t realize is those who do succeed, did not do it on their own.

We have all heard the common expression “No man is an island.” It couldn’t be truer when it comes to achieving goals and getting ahead in life. People who successfully lose weight seek the advice of those who have done it before – from diet books, fitness trainers or support groups. 

Sharing your goals with your friends, family or the internet world in general has the following benefits: 

1) It makes you accountable to actually following through.

2) It brings you together with other like minded people. When two or more people of like minds come together you will experience what one of my favorite writers, Napoleon Hill, calls the mastermind effect – where the effect is greater than the sum of the parts.

3) You leave yourself open for others to help you reach your target.  

4) Your goal becomes bigger and more powerful.    

5) Call it what you want, but things just start to happen to help you reach your goal. 

This being said, I would like to share with you a few of my main goals. I know with your help anything is possible.

My goals are to be successful both in personal and professional life.  I will not settle for one without the other!

  • In my professional life, I want to help one person or family a week develop strategies to become debt free. To show companies how to effectively manage their debts to grow their business, and show that personal service and education are more important that the fine print of mortgage contracts.
  • In my personal life, I want to give the best care, support, time, attention and love to my wife Gillian, my daughters Ella & Georgia and to my son Beckett, and to appreciate and share every single free moment that I spend with them.  

Thank you for listening to my goals.  If you know of anyone who needs help reaching their goal of becoming debt free, please pass on my contact information.  I will reach my goals by helping others reach theirs – a great way to for everyone to succeed! 

Cheers,
Pat

p.s- You can find me on Twitter,Linkedin, Facebookand friendfeed.
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