Published on 10 Dec 2014. Welcome to Season 2, Episode 10 of the This Is Your Life podcast. In this tenth episode, Michele Cushatt and I discuss the ten most common mistakes when it comes to goal-setting.







It’s that time of year when people begin planning for next year. That’s why I have been talking about it so much during the last week. I have also just released the newest edition of my goal-setting course, 5 Days to Your Best Year Ever.



Listen to the Audio







Watch the Video







As I coach individuals and companies in their annual planning, I see people making the same mistakes over and over. I am convinced this is why 25 percent of people abandon their New Year’s resolutions after one week. Sixty percent abandon them within six months.



But it doesn’t have to be that way. Goal-setting can be effective, provided you have a proven process and avoid the most common mistakes.



In this episode, you will discover:





Why New Year’s Resolutions are a waste of time and how goal-setting, done well, is different.


The one simple action you can take now to increase the likelihood you will hit your goals by a whopping 42 percent.


The ideal number of goals you should create. Too few, and you’re probably not addressing each of the major areas of your life. Too many, and you will inevitably lose focus and flame out.


Why you must set goals outside of work if you have any hope of hitting your goals at work.


How to get super-specific in your goal-setting and why you must. I provide concrete, before and after examples.


The three benefits of deadlines and why every goal needs a by when date. A goal without a deadline is little more than a dream.


The number one thing you must do to make sure you follow through on your goals and don’t end up in the same place next year as this year.


How I use Evernote to track my goals and keep them visible.


The three “negative emotions” that indicate you are on the right path. These are actually positive indicators!


Why you don’t need to worry about how you are going to accomplish your goals—at least in the beginning. In fact, if you get too focused on this initially, it will sabotage the possibility of a real breakthrough.






If you haven’t checked out 5 Days to Your Best Year Ever, please do. It will walk you through the exact process I have used for more than a decade to achieve my biggest goals, personally and professionally.







Read the Transcript



You can download a complete, word-for-word transcript of this episode here, courtesy of Ginger Schell, a professional transcriptionist, who does all my transcriptions.



Join the Conversation



My favorite part of doing these podcasts is participating in the conversation they provoke. Each week, I ask one question. This week, it is this:







Binge on All 13 Episodes!



If you want to listen to more episodes, you will find all thirteen audio episodes of Season 2 here. I release the video episodes weekly,