I just finished a great call with my coach. We are working on several aspects of my planning, goals, and visioning for the remaining portion of the year, as well as longer term planning. One of the things she had me do was to write down several markers of success or achievement so that I’d know I was on the right track.  Markers are like goals, yet they are without the constraints of time.

I get the whole “Dream with a deadline” thing, and the way she talked to me regarding the absence of a timeline was perfect. “If you say ‘I will have $xx,xxx saved within one year’, what happens if that opportunity is ready for you three weeks from now? Ahhh, she is so wise. Kinda like Yoda, but she is a girl…and taller…and better looking than the little green dude. (I’m sure she’ll give me crap about the analogy)

I found that I had several markers with contradictory or negative words in there. Things like, “I’m enjoying XYZ, but I’m also working on ABC.” The “But” simply negates everything I said before it. I’m a big proponent of choosing the words that you live with. We had to kick my “but” out.

Here are a few things I’m working on, and you may want to consider:

1. Juicy words elicit emotion. Have fun with your words, get excited about them. Bland is bland and will not inspire action.
2. Eliminate impotent words like “Try, hope, might, should, but, etc.” They are not action orientated.
3. When talking about your goals and desires, discuss them in the present tense. Your subconscious cannot differentiate what has happened from what is vividly imagined. Use it to your advantage.

The words that you use pave the road to success or failure in your life. Choose wisely!