I firmly believe that everyone wants to improve and be better. That’s the basic premise of “Living in Your Top 1%.” To do this, you need to have a map and system like you do for so many other things in your life – such as getting ready in the morning or going to work. This is one of the core areas I focus on when I work with clients. The system includes making yourself a priority and setting what I call non-negotiables. If not, you are leaving potential on the table.

Non-negotiables are any beliefs, commitments, or values you are not willing to compromise. They are the boundaries that guide and support each pillar in your company (that’s you). Identifying and using your non-negotiables will help you make yourself a priority and balance your needs in line with the bigger picture. When you are clear on what’s important, you can make better decisions. When these things fall off, you begin to lose your sense of balance and your foundation starts to break down. This is one of the most challenging things to do because many people feel guilty when they put themselves first or consider their own needs. When you ignore your non-negotiables, you compromise a part of yourself and end up giving less than your best. Honoring your set of non-negotiables helps you regain balance.

You can have non-negotiables in every area of your life such as work, relationships, healthy living, and finances. It is essential that you are clear on these items. Some of my non-negotiables include getting at least seven hours of sleep, exercising five days a week, being honest, living in an environment that inspires me, being on time for appointments and paying my bills on time. When you disregard your non-negotiables you disregard yourself and start to push yourself out of balance.

I encourage you to take five minutes and write down your non-negotiables to live your best life. These are things you do on a consistent basis to feel centered. Take a look at your list and see how well you are incorporating your set of non-negotiables. Often, it’s just a small shift in your daily practices that can lead to big results.

I’d love to hear your comments. To stay connected please join me on my Facebook and Twitter Pages. My first book, Living In Your Top 1%, will be available on Amazon February 2011.

Believe in yourself,
Alissa

I write a lot about goals because I love the topic and many people need the help. My goal is to simplify the process so you can set clear-cut and meaningful goals and have an incredible year. Let’s get a few things out on the table:

1. No goals = Leaving your potential on the table
2. Vague goals = Leaving your potential on the table
3. Goals without action = Leaving your potential on the table

Do you see a trend developing? I hope so. Here’s the bottom line: how far you go this year will be determined by your goals. Yes, of course there are other factors but this short blog post will focus on one key variable called GOALS. By the way, there is tons of research to suggest that setting and achieving goals leads to a happier and more fulfilling life. I won’t bore you with the details but you can reference the books The How of Happiness, Creating Your Best Life, and my new book Living In Your Top 1% available mid-February 2011 on Amazon.

When I look on Facebook or meet with clients I am still seeing too many people say they are going to:

1. Eat less sugar (what does this mean?)
2. Exercise more (again unclear)
3. Build their business (ok how?)
4. Spend more time with friends (do you mean talk once a week, take a trip, need to know more)
5. Travel more (where, when)

To be fair, setting goals is not easy. It’s hard to know what’s important to you and it’s intimidating to put yourself on the line.

Although the best way to set goals is to have a strategy session with me, I will provide a few simple suggestions to get you rolling.

1. Write It Down
Spend 15 minutes writing down your goals in every part of your life (Career, Relationships, Healthy Living, Fun & Creativity, Finances, and Personal Growth)
2. Set Clear-Cut Goals in the Core Areas of Your Life
I like to set goals in the six core areas of my life which include: Career, Relationships, Finances, Healthy Living, Fun & Creativity, and Personal Growth. Then read your goal out loud and ask yourself if it’s clear what you are striving to achieve. If I wanted to be a better tennis player would you know what that meant? Doubtful. Ex: I will build my business and increase revenue by at least 15% by the end of the year (instead of I will generate more revenue).
3. Identify Tier One Goals
Focus on what I call “Tier One” goals. These are your most important priorities. Your goal needs to be both important and a priority in your life.
4. Take Small Steps
Slow and steady wins the race. Once you have a great goal, break it down into small steps. Too many people think the goal setting process is over once you declare your goal–that’s when the fun starts. Train your mind to take one small step a day and you will make amazing progress. It’s a process; it’s not magic.

We don’t have control over many things in life but you do have control over setting a great goal. Why give up this option for no reason? There’s no excuse to leave your potential on the table because you did not even try. Please don’t let this year pass you by, step up to the plate and see what you can do.

I’d love to hear your success stories and questions. Please stay in touch with me on my Facebook and Twitter Pages.

Believe in yourself,
Alissa
www.AlissaFinerman.com

On January 1st, I went for a hike with a couple of friends in the Santa Monica mountains – one of my new favorite yearly rituals. At the top of the trail we each shared our goals in different areas of our lives. It’s a great feeling to write down and to share your goals. I always feel like I have a much clearer picture of what I’m going for. I also write down all of my goals on a piece of paper and then transfer them to my computer and blackberry so I can refer to them often.

Let’s focus on you! Right now you are starting on a fresh piece of paper and writing your own book. You get to write each chapter and choose your own title. Will it be called “Another year that could have been great” or “The year I created my best life?”

If Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group, called you and offered a free first class ticket would you know your destination? The best way to create a fulfilling and fabulous life is to set goals. These goals become your destination. You may want to change careers, get promoted, be in a loving relationship, or learn a new skill such as the piano, photography, or cooking. Whatever it is, you need to know where you want to go.

So instead of starting another year with resolutions that you don’t keep, use these six goal setting tips to start off on the right foot. Many articles give you so many tips that it’s a bit overwhelming. I’ve intentionally selected only six tips so you can use them all and make an immediate impact in your life.

1. Why is the Goal Important? Be very clear why you are setting a goal. Is it because your family wants you to do something or does the goal matter to you. Is losing weight really important to you? Are you willing to make other sacrifices to make this goal a reality?

2. Start with the Ideal Situation: This is your chance to dream. Imagine that you have a blank slate, and you can be and do whatever you choose. Start with that image and then work backwards to see what’s possible right now. Don’t worry about the obstacles when you are getting started. Think about what the ideal vision is for you.

3. Write Down Your Goals: You’re probably like so many people who like to keep everything in their mind instead of on paper. Well let me tell you a little secret about these folks, they are the same people who rarely follow through on their goals. When you write down your goals, you start to see where you want to go and it’s easier to make decisions because you have a destination.

4. Pursue a Goal that is a Tier One Priority: You probably have many things that are important in your life. Write down all of your goals above and then check the ones that are most important to you. Your tier one goals are the ones that will make the biggest impact on your life. They are the most important goals. They are not necessarily the goals that help you make the most money or get you promoted but rather the goals that add a deeper sense of fulfillment to your life. Perhaps you want to finish your degree, get out of debt, or change jobs. Whatever is meaningful to you is what you should be pursuing.

5. Craft Clear-Cut Goals: Many of us think vague goals are our friends but actually they just derail us in our mission. If you’re planning to get better at golf, be a better leader, or stretch more in the new year, you will need to be much more specific. Say your goal out loud and honestly ask yourself if it’s clear what you are trying to do. It’s also helpful to share your goal(s) with a trusted friend. Being clear helps you set priorities.

6. Set a Target Date: This is a tough one but it needs to be done. Just saying that you are going to write a book or lose weight is not really saying anything. Does that mean you are going to write a book in the next five years or lose weight sometime in your lifetime. If you just started working at a new company, it’s probably not realistic to say that you will be promoted tomorrow but it might be reasonable to set a goal to be promoted within six months or the year. You will have to decide what’s doable given everything else going on in your life. Either way, it’s helpful to have a date that you are working toward.

Remember to take small steps and to have fun. The process is challenging but you will feel amazing when you move outside your comfort zone and do what you thought was impossible. Please keep me posted on your progress and stay in touch with me on Facebook or Twitter. My new book, Living In Your Top 1% will be available this February on Amazon. Good luck and have fun!

Believe in yourself,
Alissa