| I am often asked what the difference is between | | | | Rather than remaining focused on short term |
| successful and unsuccessful people. It's as if folks | | | | immediate concerns, having Big Picture Goals helps |
| think that there's one magical thing they can do | | | | us to return to the actions necessary to make |
| that will make a big difference in their life. I like to | | | | real progress towards having the ideal life. Think |
| tell them that successful people have | | | | of your life as it is now: do you spend time |
| determination and a plan to get what they want. | | | | reflecting on how far you've come and what you |
| Unsuccessful people think it would be nice to have | | | | need to do to make gains? |
| more, but they aren't willing to do anything about | | | | Or do you periodically set time aside to measure |
| it except purchase a lottery ticket. | | | | progress and design actions to work on the |
| Successful people who have a plan know the | | | | bigger picture of your life? |
| power of creating a Big Vision. Having a Big Vision | | | | Steps to create your Big Picture Goals: |
| is akin to dreaming of your ideal life as if there | | | | 1. Create a Vision Board. This is a powerful first |
| were no limits on success. Your Big Vision is | | | | step in imagining your Big Picture Goals. Go to a |
| where you want to be in five to ten years. It's all | | | | bookstore and buy an assortment of travel, |
| about building the life you want but don't have | | | | home and business magazines. Cut out pictures |
| right now. By having a Big Vision, you are training | | | | that represent the life you would like to lead: |
| your mind that your life won't always resemble | | | | furniture, automobiles, houses, words that appeal |
| what you have now. If everything were ideal and | | | | to you, exotic vacations, restaurants, food, etc. |
| there were no chance of failure, this is the life | | | | Create a collage on a poster board of your ideal |
| you would have. | | | | life. Hang the board in your office where you will |
| Big Picture Goals on the other hand are the | | | | see it daily. |
| "deliverables" from your Big Vision. They are the | | | | 2. Start a new Business Plan and focus on your |
| products, services, or events that will be the | | | | Big Vision. What could be some Big Picture Goals |
| result of your five to ten year efforts to build a | | | | that would move your business forward? Revisit |
| good life. They are the "things" that you will be | | | | the list of examples above. |
| known for that will make your business a financial | | | | 3. Create a regular monthly appointment on your |
| success. | | | | calendar to review your Business Plan, Big Vision, |
| Examples: | | | | and Big Picture Goals. During this appointment, plan |
| - Writing a book | | | | your Action Items around what needs to be done |
| - Writing a series of articles | | | | to make progress. |
| - Giving a keynote speech to a specific group | | | | Taking these steps will help you set up a system |
| - Having an article written about you in a big | | | | for focusing on your long term goals. Remember: |
| name publication | | | | successful people have determination and a plan. |
| - Creating passive revenue products | | | | By identifying what you want, the deliverables |
| - Creating a nonprofit organization | | | | you need to work on, and a regular time to |
| - Building your own location for your business | | | | review your progress you will skyrocket your |
| What is the benefit to having Big Picture Goals? | | | | income and your financial success. |