When President Elect Barrack Obama steps into office, he will be facing a government budget full of debt, a frozen credit market and rising unemployment. Sounds like fun.
From the sound of his campaign, it seems as though the solutions that will be attempted, is more government regulation, larger government programs, price controls and higher taxes on corporations and high income individuals.
Whether or not you agree or disagree with these policies is not the discussion for this column, but without getting political, wanted to touch on the mania that has infected both sides of the political isle.
As stated in previous articles, the stock market as well as the United States economy ebbs and flows in times of growth and pull back.
Barrack Obama may be the greatest President to lead this country, no one will know until he gets into office and implements his strategies, however the part that scares me is the small, but growing minority of individuals who have cast aside reason and believe that the government is a save-all, end-all department of prosperity.
I heard a quote from a woman (paraphrasing): “This is a great day that Obama has been elected. Now I don’t have to worry about my mortgage or filling my gas tank!”
What?!!
Granted I’m not that old. I’ve lived through 5 Presidents (Carter, Reagan, Bush #1, Clinton, Bush #2) and can’t recall any of them filling my parent’s gas tank or paying their mortgage off for them.
The fact of the matter is that government can’t help you if you’re not willing to help yourself. They may promise and posture and say they can, but in the end it’s up to you to enhance your own life.
The most important person who is going to determine how fulfilling, rewarding and prosperous your life will be stares back at you in the mirror every morning. In this country, your success still depends on whether or not you can leave your cave, kill something and bring it back for dinner.
In a Harvard study, it was found that only 5 percent of graduates had written goals. That 5 percent of graduates became on average 3 times as successful and 3 times as wealthy as their non-goal setting counterparts.
I don’t consider myself to be perfect. I procrastinate, take the easy road if I can and will just get by if I don’t keep tabs on myself. Setting goals holds you accountable. There are three types of goals to set: Long term (5+ years), Short term (1 year), and Daily.
Long Term Goals (5 years +)
Where do you see yourself 5 years from now? Sitting at the same desk? Having the same pay scale? I don’t think anyone “hopes” they remain stagnant forever.
If you would like to have more money, posterity and time in 5 years, what are you doing to get there?
When I started my music career in 1994, the goal (although at that time unwritten) was always to win a Hoku Award (Hawaiian equivalent of a grammy). Every move that was made, every show that we did, had an underlying theme. How will this get us to where we want to be?
When we won 4 awards in 1998 I learned that it takes a few years of hard work to become an “overnight success.”
Nowadays, my 5 year goals are more geared toward family and financial peace, but the focus and determination remains the same.
Short Term Goals (1 year)
In Real Estate, you are encouraged to set up sales and transaction goals. Since this business is flexible (no work schedule, no supervisor to make sure you’re doing your job), it is common for agents to procrastinate, or put off the most undesirable activities (following up with leads, escrow paperwork). Most of the time the most undesirable activities are the ones that generate the most business.
Short term goals should have a deadline and a numerical equivalent of completion. For example, “Make 12 sales this year (1 per month).”
Some agents in our office have taken their written goals, laminated the paper it’s written on and stuck it against the wall in the shower. A reminder of what needs to be done to get them where they want to be.
Daily Goals
Lastly are the daily tasks that will get you to your short term goals and eventually to your long term goals. A marathon is won one step at a time. Determination with focus will allow you to do anything you set your mind to.
First thing in the morning, or the night before (I choose to do things the night before), write down the tasks that need to be completed the next day. Then, don’t check your e-mail, voicemail, etc. until they are done. You’ll be amazed at how much work you can get done if you’re not stopping every five minutes to read a forwarded e-mail or talk to a co-worker.
Moving forward with purpose and written goals will help you to succeed no matter who is in the White House. It’s just too bad that anyone running for office who would tell you that would never get elected.
