Not letting anything hold you back is probably one of the single most goal achieving tips to take on board. The question is, as it is easier said than done, how exactly to you go about achieving that? Find out what may be holding you back and what to do to succeed in achieving your goals in this portion from an interview with Dale Beaumont and Kim McGuinness.

Kim was a finalist in the Sydney Business Review’s Businesswoman of the Year Award in 2003 and was nominated for the Telstra Businesswoman of the Year in 2004, 2005 and 2006. She is the founder of Network Central.

What do you think holds people back from achieving their goals?

First, we don’t write them down and focus on them, and second we don’t believe we can achieve them. How many of us wander around and aimlessly network without really knowing what we are networking for? Sure, all of us know that we want to expand our range of contacts, unearth amazing people and expand our businesses or careers, but how many of us are absolutely clear on where our path is headed? I am incredibly guilty of having all these grand ideas and taking on too much at once. I have learnt the hard way that it is important to articulate, define and (in my case) contain your goals and work every day to achieve them.

These days I have a goals book where I write down all my goals in one section and business ideas in another. When I am absolutely clear that I want to move ahead with a business idea I will move it to the goals section. Then I revisit my goals book through an appointment with myself each month and see where I am and what I still have to do. Consistent effort is the key in my opinion. Even if the goal is a little far off at the moment at least if you have it clear in your mind then you can start attracting the right people and information and can refine the goal as you go.

The other obstacle is belief in ourselves. For some reason a lot of people consider themselves unworthy of greatness or unable to achieve great things. We are all built in the same way and can achieve whatever we want in life if we just believe we can. We need to surround ourselves with positive people who will encourage us rather than Doubting Thomases who will find every reason under the sun why your goal will fail. As far as aspirational goals about houses, cars, holidays, clothes and so forth go, pictures are always great – find something similar in a magazine and hang it somewhere you will see it every day, then visualise what life will be like when you are there.

Focus and consistent effort coupled with belief will get you there. Meditation is also a great investment in yourself and allows your brain the time to slow down and focus properly.

For more of this interview and goal achieving tips check out “Secrets of Inspiring Women Exposed!“

The post Goal Achieving Tips: How Not to Let Stuff Hold You Back appeared first on Business Blueprint.

Kim was a finalist in the Sydney Business Reviews Businesswoman of the Year Award in 2003 and was nominated for the Telstra Businesswoman of the Year in 2004, 2005 and 2006. She is the founder of Network Central.

What advice would you give to someone living in a rural area that would like to start their own networking group?

• Know your purpose – decide on the purpose for your network. Who is your target market? Why are you running it? Be clear on your reasons and articulate these in all material and advertising so that people know what to expect and why they should attend.
• Start small – find a venue that will take numbers as they arrive, like a restaurant, then advertise the date, either through a press release to the local paper or another medium. Find a speaker who is well known in the community and is willing to share their knowledge. Call the local paper and invite a journalist to attend at no charge.
• Listen to your network members – find out what each person attending that first event hopes to achieve by being a part of the network and listen intently to their answer. Capture the contact details of everyone attending and organise an even better follow-up event. Give guests an incentive to attend the next event with a friend and make them feel special as one of the inaugural network members.
• Find sponsors – to alleviate costs and help with promotions. Locate businesses that want to help the community and gain a presence for their brand through association with your event. Once you have a sponsor, stick to your agenda and be consistent in your product offering. Allowing your event or network to evolve in an organic way is fine, but don’t jump all over the place with different themes and goals. This is confusing for a sponsor that has specific objectives.
• Apart from all this – have FUN! A network is a place where people should feel comfortable and if you have fun and feel happy to be there, then so will your guests.

For more of this interview and how to start on networking groups  check out “Secrets of Inspiring Women Exposed! “

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