Goals Achieved! Goal setting success made simple.

So, what qualifies me to talk to you about goals?

My story is a little unusual to say the least. I'll keep it brief here but I'll add some extra links if you want to delve more deeply into my story. These links will also give you more information about how I live my life.

I'm probably best known as "the guy who listed his entire life for sale on eBay". This resulted in a lot of media coverage around the world and led me to begin my own goal achieving adventure.

Lecture 4 summarizes my story and I hope it will provide you with the inspiration you need to get started with your own goals and lifestyle changes.

The one question I was asked most often in interviews on the run up to the eBay auction was, "What will you do once you sell your life?" After much contemplation I decided to write out my own "bucket list" of 100 goals that I would aim to complete in a challenging timeline of 100 weeks. This resulted in two years of solid experience setting, planning and achieving my goals!

Lecture 5 gives you an overview of that adventure.

You can download my "Bucket List" below - it may give you some inspiration for your own goals.

For an entertaining break, take a pause to watch the video highlights from my travels. You can find a link to this video below. There is also a link to the 100goals100weeks.com website.

What did I do after two years of amazing travel and goal achieving adventures? Find out a little more in Lecture 6.

For a real insight into my life at this time, you can watch a documentary filmed by a UK production company by following the link below.

Lecture 7 looks at what you can expect to learn from this course.

It isn't just about the theory of setting and achieving goals. This is a practical, hands-on, interactive course that encourages you to take real, meaningful action.

One of the biggest benefits of this course will be an increased level of confidence in yourself and your abilities. You will finish the course feeling empowered, motivated and inspired. By following the guidelines presented, you will be more resourceful, more independent and ultimately happier about who you are, and where you are headed.

It's never too late to look at your life and ask yourself:

"Is my life really how I want it to be?"

Lecture 8 looks at the differences between dreams and goals and why NOW is the best time of your life to get started on the changes you want to make.

There's a great movie from 2007 called “The Bucket List”. It stars Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. There's a link to the movie trailer below.

There are many books and quite a few courses that will tell you how important it is to set goals and to work towards achieving them. Few, if any, of these books and courses really discuss in much depth why goals are so important.

Lecture 9 continues to look at the importance of goals and the part they will play in your future success and happiness.

In this lesson you will be asking yourself some questions to discover what REALLY makes you happy.

Try to figure out what you are excited by, where your passions lie and what really makes you tick.

Download the "PDF Practical Learning Some Important Questions" (link below), to help you with this process. Use this lesson to help you figure out what really makes you happy.

Many people think of goals simply in terms of big ticket "bucket list" items. However, there are many more areas in which we can set goals and work towards our dreams and ultimate happiness.

This short Lecture 11 gives inspiration for your goals in a variety of different lifestyle categories.

Your Personal Dreams and Goal Ideas

In this practical session you will reflect on what you've learned so far about goals and make a list of all the things that you would like to do, or achieve in your life.

At this stage don't limit yourself. Don't think about whether your goals are realistic, too challenging, or if they seem impossible.

Download the "PDF Practical Learning My Unlimited List" below, to help with this process.

In Lecture 13 we discover why it's so important to write down your goals.

Goals need careful planning. Defining a SMART goal gives you direction and a solid plan to help set your goal on the path to ultimate success.

Let's start by finding out just what a SMART goal is in Lecture 14.

In Lecture 15 we take a more detailed look at each part of the SMART acronym.

We find out exactly what makes your goal Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound.

Now you are ready to apply the SMART strategy to your goals.

Download the "PDF Practical Learning Apply the SMART Strategy" document from Resources in this section.

Download the " PDF Three SMART Examples" as a guide to completing your worksheet and for inspiration.

Download and Print the "PDF SMART Worksheet" - one sheet for each of your goal ideas.

You now have all the tools to practice defining specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-based goals.

On this worksheet you'll find a number of questions that need to be answered and completed for each of the goals you have selected. The three examples of the SMART strategy, applied to three different types of goals can be used for guidance and inspiration.

Please don't rush this activity. It is probably the single most important part of this course.

In Lecture 17 you will look at the process of making a commitment.

It's also time to think about which one goal you will move forward with when you get to Lecture 18's Practical Learning.

Practical Learning Session - Goal Realization

Now we will look at what is your first goal.

Download the "PDF Practical Learning Goal Realization Sheet" to guide you through this exercise.

Download the "Goal Realization Sheet" as well - you will use this form consistently as you progress through the course.

Once you've worked through this lesson, we'd love to hear from you.

Why not be accountable to us and others following this course and tell us

"what is your goal and why did you pick it?"

Post a quick message on the discussion forum for this lesson.

In Lecture 19 you will find out why without a structured, well thought out plan you will lack any real direction. We will also look at setting a deadline - a target date for the achievement of your goal.

A quick reminder here in Lecture 20 about keeping your first goal simple and uncomplicated.

Practical Learning - Setting Deadlines

Now we will give some thought to deadlines and smaller action steps to make your goal less daunting.

Download "PDF Practical Learning Setting Deadlines"

Follow the instructions to complete Section 2 of your "Goal Realization Sheet" before continuing with the course.

Lecture 22 introduces the reasons why it is important to work on your mindset if you want to successfully achieve all your goals.

Your attitude is one of the key precursors for the successful completion of your goals. You will find out how this will help you to succeed in Lecture 23.

Lecture 24 provides you with some practical ideas to develop a positive mindset. Try to incorporate some of these into your daily routine in order to develop positive habits, and positive thoughts.

Lecture 25 suggests some great inspirational input, including books, movies and music.

There are some further lists here in the resources, to help provide you with even more inspiration. Take a look and see what's available.

Maybe start a discussion here in this section if you can recommend anything to your fellow course members.

Book suggestions

Movie suggestions

  Discussion points here to the right.

Practical Learning Session - Inspirational Input

Depending on how creative you're feeling, you can select one of three practical lessons to complete this section. Or, if you really want to accelerate your progress, do all three!

Option 1 – A Vision Board

Option 2 – Books, Music, Films

Option 3 – Make a change

Download the "PDF Practical Learning Inspire Yourself" below to guide you through this exercise.

There are three further articles that can be downloaded below. They will provide inspiration as you work through this part of the course.

It is quite possible that a new goal will necessitate learning a new skill or will require some form of personal growth. Lecture 27 discusses this in more depth and gives you some practical ideas to develop the skills you will need to proceed with your goals.

Mentoring and accountability plays a crucial part in setting and achieving goals. Lecture 28 discusses who you should make yourself accountable to and what you should look for in your mentor.

Why not make yourself accountable by posting details of your goal now on your Facebook / Twitter or other social media site!

Practical Learning - Developing your skills

In this Practical Learning lesson we will be asking these questions:

• What skills do I need to acquire?
• What knowledge do I need to learn?
• Who will I select as my mentor?

Download the "PDF Practical Learning Develop Your Skills" document and use the instructions to complete both Section 3 and Section 4 of your "Goal Realization Sheet" before continuing with Lecture 30.

Well done, you're progressing well.

Let's have a quick recap of what we've achieved so far:

• You've brainstormed a list of your ultimate dreams and goal ideas.
• You've narrowed down that list to 3 short term goals
• You've applied the SMART strategy to each of these goals
• You've selected your first specific goal that is both relevant and achievable

Lecture 30 looks at what's next!

Lecture 31 introduces real action. You've done all the planning and preparation - now we look at more practical advice for helping to support "Taking your first step".

Procrastination is the number one reason why "Goal Setters" don't become "Goal Achievers". Lecture 32 explains why and tells you how not to fall into the same trap.

Lecture 33 explains why there is no "perfect moment" to get started on your goals.

Practical Learning Session - Taking the First Step

Now you will take the first practical step towards achieving your goal.

Download "PDF Practical Learning Taking the First Step" below, to talk you through the steps.

Then we'd like to hear about it.

Go to the discussion section on the right and post a quick message to tell everyone about your goal and what step you've just taken.

Maybe something like this:

"My goal is to …………………………………………….. and my first step was …………………………………

This first step was successfully completed on <date>."

You are now part of a goal setting community – others who are following this course. Others who can give you positive feedback and spur you on to complete your goal!