"According to a poll, the majority of Americans are OK with the Obama administration listening in on our phone calls. Guys approve because they feel it increases security. And women approve of Obama's policy because finally a man is listening to them." –Conan O'Brien [Political Humor]

I imagine all people, at some time in their lives, have hoped for or dreamed of a thing or some situation they truly wanted - some object or state of being that doesn’t currently exist in their lives.  They might desire an object or circumstance enjoyed by others or they have creatively imagined something special or uniquely tailored just for them.  The human experience affords all people opportunities, but not necessarily fairly or equal.  We have all asked ourselves the two most unanswerable questions in the world, “Why me, and why not me?”  Ultimately we are left to deal with our own circumstances and if we don’t like what we have, we have the ability to alter those conditions or create the ones we want.

The secret to creating your ideal future is found in identifying what you really want (the dream) and then setting goals that will progressively move you to the attainment of your dreams.  Success is really nothing more than the day-by-day realization of your goals.  Goals are like a vehicle moving you from where you are, to where you want to be.  Without a vehicle, you will just stay where you are and that is the way most people spend their lives, right where they are.  The act of establishing a goal can dramatically increase your success and happiness as a result of the positive energy created by merely focusing on the achievement of the goal and knowing that you have set a course to move you closer to your dream.

The most successful salespeople in the world have developed a positive attitude about themselves and their circumstances then set goals to achieve their dreams.  These salespeople also understand the need to write their goals to ratify their commitment and fuel desire when their motivation is low and the challenge is arduous.  They have also learned the absolute necessity of making their goals time specific.  Using terms such as “someday”, or “as soon as possible” are vague and will promote failure.  These successful salespeople have learned effective goals are ones to which they can make a strong commitment.  No goals will be achieved unless they have personal value to you.  Another person’s desire will very seldom produce the attitude, motivation and commitment to achieve goals not in harmony with your own dreams.

In Napoleon Hill’s book, The Law of Success, he describes the insight he gained from his research into the power of goal setting.  He said the following:

“Any definite chief aim that is deliberately fixed in the mind and held there with the determination to realize it finally saturates the entire subconscious mind until it automatically influences the physical action of the body toward the attainment of the purpose.”

Plain and simple, the way to make your dreams become a reality is by setting goals.  As you write out your goals and monitor your progress, you have a measurement tool that will allow you to monitor your progress.  Monitoring your progress is essential if you are to reach your goal within the time frame you have established.  Goal setting is the vehicle that will transport you to your dreams.  If you want to achieve your true potential in sales and in life, create a consistent pattern of goal setting.  Monitor your performance, track your progress and enjoy the sweet taste of success.  J. C. Penney once said, “Give me a stock clerk with a goal and I’ll give you a man who will make history.  But give me a man without a goal and I’ll give you a stock clerk.”  The only way you can grow, progress and excel in sales is by establishing goals that will lead you to your dreams.  Commit yourself today, to live a goal focused and dream centered life.  There is no other way to achieve your full potential.

Salt Lake Tribune

Op-ed: Hatch amendments hurt

Wanted: West Valley City police chief who can restore public trust

Obamacare moves to forefront in immigration debate

Gun lobbyist seeks restoration of firearms rights

Swallow’s fate in House GOP’s hands Wednesday

Charter-school pioneer discusses innovative ed movement at Utah conference

Utah regulators asked to reconsider power plant pollution solution

Paul Rolly: School bus vandalism yields an unlikely culprit

Weber voters to decide $45 million library bond

In veto-proof vote, Salt Lake City Council OK’s $8M tax increase

Wharton: Selfish reasons to oppose Nevada water deal

Report says too many teachers, too little quality; Utah educators question study

Herbert not budging on Snake Valley deal

Family steps up with $4 million to rescue Capitol Theatre project

Granite schools will cut staff to make up budget deficit

Deseret News

Op-ed: People deserve rights at our borders

Editorial: A darkening cloud

Editorial: Limit the power of the Antiquities Act

Milestone reached in removing Moab tailings

Utah Technology Council touts STEM education for Utah’s economic future

Report: Teacher training in U.S. an 'industry of mediocrity'

Governor Herbert says he won't change his mind on Snake Valley water sharing agreement

Salt Lake City approves 13.8 percent tax hike despite mayor's threat to veto

Washington Post writer: Mitt Romney lost because he's Superman; modern voters prefer Batman

Impeachment investigation 'highly likely,' House majority leader says

Other

Mark Saal: In Utah we are constantly fighting the war on weeds (Standard-Examiner)

Emissions could be cut (Park Record)

Hi-ho, Silver: Western governors are away to Park City (Park Record)

Logan Municipal Council to conduct public hearing on $129M proposal for 2014 budget (Logan Herald Journal)