I’m off to Salt Lake City, Utah for the International Convention for my Network Marketing Company. I’m more excited this year than ever, because the company is celebrating it’s 15th year anniversary.

We will be at the Salt Palace as well as Energy Solutions Arena (formerly known as the Delta Center).

I can’t wait for the food, the learning, the presentations, the trainings, the food, meeting other successful people, Salt Lake City, and the food

I’ll  be back next week!

One of the first questions I ask people are, “What are some of your goals?” About 80% don’t have any and about 20% just have a generic goal with no real desire to accomplish it. Which of the following two New Year’s Resolutions do you feel will get accomplished?

1. “I want to exercise and lose weight this year.”
2. “I would like to set myself on an exercise program of 3 days a week, 30 minutes each day, and lose 5 pounds a month until I reach my goal of 15 pounds, which should be in March.”

It’s obvious that the second one is more thought out and has a stricter plan that can be easily tracked. But almost everyone sets their goals like #1. “I want to lose weight”, “I need to exercise”, “I want to start reading more”, “I should set more goals”, “I am going to start eating healthier”. Do you see how these things, many of which I’m certain you have promised to yourself, never get accomplished. It’s great that you want to start eating healthier, but there is a huge difference if a bodybuilder says that, and if a coach potato says the same thing.

This is where SMART Goals come in. Ever since I started using this technique, I’ve been able to increase my productivity ten fold. Here are the 5 steps to setting S.M.A.R.T. Goals:

S=Specific- A goal must be very specific. A generalization of “lose weight” or “exercise” won’t help you at all because it’s too generic.

M=Measurable- A major reason that most goals don’t get accomplished is because they can’t be measured. If you want to lose weight, that’s great, but how much? If you say that you want to lose 15 pounds in 3 months, that can be measured very easily. Either you did or you didn’t.

A=Attainable- It’s great that many people don’t set limits to their own potentials, it’s very inspiring. But you must also be a little realistic. If the greatest workout you get is going to the mailbox, then the Olympics might be a little out of reach by next year.

R=Risky- Now we are getting to the fun stuff. How risky is your goal? If you walk 30 minutes a day and want to set a goal of walking 31 minutes a day, is that really all that risky? A goal should stretch you outside of your comfort zone and make you nervous just thinking about it.

T=Timely- You know your goal, how to measure it, it’s attainable, and risky, now when do you want to do it by? Setup a realistic timetable. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day.

My goal is to organize and speak at a motivational seminar with 150 guests on Saturday, December 8th, 2007. This is very specific, measurable (either I have 150 or I don’t), it’s attainable for my skill level, it’s risky for me because it’s outside of my comfort zone, and I have a specific date.

Now that you know how to set a S.M.A.R.T. Goal, go ahead and get to work. If you would like, email me a copy (rohit@rohitrohila.com) of your goal and I’ll checkup on you periodically to see how you are doing. My only condition, that you do the same for me also!

This is something new that I will be doing, regular reviews of movies, books, and audio cd’s. Now as always, everything is centered on Personal Development, so even the movies will be reviewed with that in mind.

The first movie is the new Harry Potter movie, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, book 5 in the 7-part series. I am going to try to stay away from any spoilers, but just in case, read at your own risk.

Although most people are saying that this is the worst of the 5 movies so far, I found it to be the best because of the leadership skills that Harry discovers were in him all along. So far our hero Harry has found himself isolated, fighting alone for the good side against Lord Voldimort and his evil minions. Up to this point, although he had the support of his friends, he had been going at it alone. All that changed when he realized, through the help of his friends, that he is not alone. Up to now he kept the ones that he loves at a distance, trying to protect them, but it only ended up hurting him. Now he embraces their support and has the role of being a leader thrust upon him. His teaching methods are one based off of real life and not out of a book.

An example of this is the Patronus Charm, which Harry learned in book 3- The Prisoner of Azkaban. This is a spell that is supposed to be very difficult to learn and is too advanced for students Harry’s age. Not only did Harry master it, but he was able to teach it to many students his age. This shows his ability as a teacher, as well as demonstrates the loyalty of those that believe him. Harry only becomes powerful enough to take on Voldimort’s mininions when he has an internal conversation with his sub-conscious. This transformation is very similar to the one that Aragorn has in Lord of the Rings.

Overall I really enjoyed this movie for the growth that Harry Potter goes through, as well as his realization that he is not alone.