Goal Setting

Success Team

As you begin the New Year, are there changes you would like to make to enrich your existence? Do you have the proper supports in place to make it happen? Early in my practice I learned that changes can only be sustained if you have created a lifestyle that supports them. It is very unlikely that you will meet your goals unless you have a solid infrastructure.

If you don’t have the support you need to create it. For example, many people are using the “Dream Team” or “Success Team” approach. A Dream Team is a group of people who meet on a regular basis to provide each other support for their dreams. They are an accountability team. They hold you accountable regarding the steps that you need to take to achieve your goals.

The structure of this group is:
1. Have a regular meeting place and time.
2. Be goal-specific.
a. Describe your goal
b. Create tiny steps that will ensure that it happens
c. Have a timeline that holds you accountable
d. Keep your meeting goals specific—no social chit-chat.

This process hinges on the belief that a natural evolution will take place if you move forward toward your goal. The group meeting provides the infrastructure for goal achievement.

Groups are a powerful tool because of the energy they can provide. A Dream Team is commonly made up of four- to eight members. They may be like-minded and have similar goals e.g. a mother’s group who wants to improve parenting skills. Or, the team can be comprised of people of different backgrounds. Some visionary teams have different professionals in their group. For instance, a teacher, therapist, investor, attorney, and architect all meet to look at each person’s individual goal from a different perspective instead of from “your typical mindset”.

• As you look at your life, do you have an infrastructure to support your goals?
• Do you have cheerleaders in your life that encourage you?
• Are there one or two people who “champion you” by inquiring about your visions or dreams on a regular basis?

Who would you put on your team if you wanted to actualize your goals? Who would you want in your corner holding you accountable, encouraging you to develop a plan to make things happen, and cheering you on as you accomplished each step, getting you closer to your vision?

I invite you to create that “Success Team” for 2003. We all deserve the gift of support and accountability. For more information on “Success Teams”, read Write It Down, Make It Happen by Henriette Anne Klauser and Wishcraft by Barbara Sher.