Kevin W. McCarthy

The Professor of On-Purpose

inspiration

Are You Setting Goals?

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This is a classic On-Purpose Minute that first aired in August 2010 so the September offer regarding The On-Purpose Leader Experience is out of date. Alternatively, consider reading The On-Purpose Person and downloading the free preview to The Discovery Guide.

Another option is On-Purpose Peace, a six-session, small group study for Christians reading The On-Purpose Person. 

Goal setting is really the poor man’s way of doing strategic planning. Guess what? For about 95% of what you want to accomplish, writing out your goals will get the job done. If you want to take something to the next level, however, you’ll need to invest in strategic thought and planning. Otherwise, you’ll remain mired in mediocrity.

Research shows that as few as 1% to as many as 10% of all people write down their goals. Why not more people? Here are some of the excuses I’ve come up with. What’s your reason for not setting goals?

  1. I don’t have time to write goals.
  2. I’m not really sure that’s where I’m supposed to focus my effort and energy.

    Marine Institute Ireland, Strategic_Planning_S...Image via Wikipedia

  3. If it is meant to be, then it will happen.
  4. Goal setting is a waste because my goals never come into being.
  5. Who am I to set goals?
  6. No one else I know sets goals.
  7. I don’t know how to write a goal.
  8. What if I don’t reach my goal?
  9. What will other people think? They might think I’m crazy.
  10. I have too many goals to write them down.
  11. I don’t believe my goals can be realized or are realistic.
  12. Goals don’t motivate me.
  13. Goals are too basic for what I need to get accomplished.

Behind every rationale for not setting a goal is a tragic assault on hope and possibilities fed by irrational thought. OK, so maybe you don’t have Killer Goals; that’s still no reason for not learning the process and getting started. In fact, set that as your first goal.

Lose the Excuses, Gain Your Sanity.

Be On-Purpose!
Kevin

 

What Is Your Cost of Being Off-Purpose?

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Put on your financial hat for an On-Purpose Minute. If I asked you to pay me $1.22 to help you save a portion of $1,000, would you “risk” it? Most likely, yes. It is an easy business decision. In fact, you would probably ask, “What’s the catch?” There is a catch!

Prior to the 30-minute webcast of The POWER of Your 2-Word Purpose Statement (watch here), I conducted a survey of registrants. One of the survey questions was, “If you had to put a U.S. dollar figure on being disadvantaged without or a weak purpose, vision, or mission statement, which best reflects your cost of being ‘off-purpose’?” 

The multiple choice answers can be found in the first seven columns (see chart below) plus “Other.” Over 47% of those surveyed indicated the cost of being off-purpose was over $1,000,000. Astonishingly the write-in text for the “Other” included words like immeasurable, incalculable, and priceless. At 22% it ranked highest. Not bad for an un-choice!

To be on-purpose, you need to make an intentional choice to actually do something about it. The ROI is amazing, especially for those in the 47%  group. Immeasurable, incalculable, priceless? Yes!

Cost of off-purpose breakdown p1

What is the Upside to a Down Economy?

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Financial challenges rip at a misplaced sense of security. These can be very challenging and humbling times. My business has been hurting this year because I allowed myself to be in a position where a client could stiff me for a large sum of money. The ripple effects touch every aspect of my life and business. 

Because we're working as a team and as a family, good is coming out of the hardship. How about you? Please share your comments or story of the upside of a down economy. Your thoughts may inspire, comfort, or encourage someone in a similar situation to see things in a more positive and productive light. Hope need never be lost.

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What are your BIG PLANS for 2010?

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A new year brings a fresh start.  But why wait until late December to make your plans?

In today's On-Purpose® Business Minute, you'll have an opportunity to prime the pump to be on-purpose in 2010.  Learn the three simple steps you can do today to make your tomorrows more abundant and prosperous.  

Please use the comment space below this posting / video to share your BIG PLAN for 2010.  Someone who can help you may very well read your post and provide you exactly what you need to live more fully and fruitfully into your BIG PLAN.

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My BIG PLAN: Ever since The On-Purpose Person was written I knew a network of on-purpose persons helping others to be on-purpose was essential.  I've pondered this for years but the timing just never  seemed right.  Now it does!  Thanks to advances in technology and the worldwide economic slowdown.  When the comfort of cash in the pockets is no more, then the possibilities within one's purpose become more real and readily relevant. 

Please tell me your thoughts about my BIG PLAN for the On-Purpose Advisor Network.

Be On-Purpose!

Kevin

Meeting Brian Biro – America’s Breakthrough Coach

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Asheville, NC – May 16, 2008

Brian_w_crowd

One of the great joys of being a best selling author and professional speaker is the other best selling authors and speakers one gets to meet.  Friday, I once again had this joy with a man who all about having a Joyful Spirit – the title of one of his books.

Brian Biro is America’s Breakthrough Coach – a true On-Purpose Person.  A guy with a joyful heart and a sharing spirit.  Allow me to put a blatant plug in for Brian to any readers looking for a speaker.  Brian truly is a coach, motivational speaker, and, most importantly, the genuine article.  Here’s a guy who gets people on their feet in a greater belief in their true selves and possibilities. 

Brian Biro’s first book, Beyond Success, provides an in depth look and understanding into "The 15 Secrets of Effective Leadership and Life" through the eyes of former UCLA basketball coach, John Wooden.  Coach Wooden is unarguably the greatest college basketball coach of all time, yet the titles were incidental to his goal of developing boys into men.  While coaching swimming at UCLA, Brian and Coach Wooden formed a friendship so this book is truly a personal account rather than the distance of a journalist.  Read it and learn.

 

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