Summary: Today we are going to talk about How to Make the Right Choice in 3 Simple Steps. You’ve been making choices every day since you were a child, yet sometimes it can feel like you are the most inexperienced decision-maker in the world. You feel uncertain about which choice to make and how your decision will ultimately affect your life. When faced with a decision that could alter the course of your life, how do you make the right choice? The first step in any choice is to determine where you want to be. Getting clear on your goals will help you make choices that are in line with your vision. Once you get clear on your goals, it can be much easier to see how the results of your choices will lead you either closer to your goals – or further away. Here’s how you can learn to make the right choice in three simple steps. Step 1: Write Your List of Long-Term Goals You may have a lot of long-term goals, but for now, just start with the ten most important to you. Once you have had time to focus on this short list, feel free to expand it to include ALL of your long-term goals. Here’s an example: My Long-Term Goals 1. Have $7,500 saved to take two vacations per year (starting 2014) to exotic places by 6/1/14. 2. Buy new house with 15% down payment $90,000 by 10/1/2015 3. Pay off mortgage ($_______) by 12/31/2030 4. $5.2 million saved for retirement/financial future by 12/31/2021 5. Retire by age 54: 2/23/2022 6. Sell house by 9/30/2015 7. Donate 5% of net income each year to charitable organizations that have personal meaning (Susan G. Komen Foundation and Habitat for Humanity) starting 1/1/2015 8. Complete a full Ironman Triathlon in under 17 hours - 10/31/2016 9. Play golf 2 times per month starting 4/1/2013 10. Improve health and fitness-lose 25 pounds, and be at180 lbs by 7/1/2014 11. Read fun books 1 per quarter starting 1/1/2013 12. Get 1 massage per month starting 1/1/2014 13. Continue to have date night with my significant other 2 times per month starting 1/15/13 My Long-Term Goals 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Now that you have identified your long-term goals, you can identify your short-term goals. Don’t over-analyze or critique your answers, just go with what you really want now, today, tomorrow, this week, within one month, or in the near future. Step 2: Write Your List of Short-Term Goals Here’s an example: My Short-Term Goals (Must be measurable, specific and include specific dates) 1. Add 15 new Ideal Clients by 12/31/13 2. Earn $450,000 net by 12/31/13 3. Reduce monthly expenses by 10% - now! 1/10/13 4. Take that 10% and open an interest bearing account for annual travel fund – within 2 days: 1/12/13 5. Research mortgage refinance every 6 months – can I save $$? 3/31/13 6. Find a local art gallery that will sell my paintings - 6/12/13 7. Establish passive income (sell digital images of my artwork at the local gallery, do consulting, etc.) to increase my retirement fund contribution to $25,000 per year - 4/12/13 8. Do cardio exercise 3 times per week for 1 hour each time beginning today 9. Lift weights 2 times per week for 45 minutes each time beginning today 10. Play golf 1 time per month starting 5/1/2013 11. Improve health and fitness-lose 12 pounds, and be at193 lbs by 8/1/2013 12. Get 1 massage per quarter starting 6/1/2013 13. Have date night with significant other 2 times per month starting 1/15/13 My Short-Term Goals 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. How did you do? Did your goals come to you easily or did it take more time than you thought? If your goals rolled off the end of your pen like flowing ink, that’s good – you’re pretty clear about what you want in life. If it was a little difficult coming up with goals, spend some time exploring what you really want – what you want, not what someone else wants for you. If friends or family criticizing you for any of your goal choices, reply politely with “I appreciate your feedback. This
