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Before going on a road trip, you need the essentials: paper and pen, a map, and a destination. You want to make sure to have a full tank of gas, predetermined stopping points, and plenty of snacks. A plan gets you started. Fuel and motivation keep you going. The same is true for your goals. Your destination is GoalTopia: that ideal place where you achieve the objectives you set and live the life you want.

Hi, I’m Deb. And I love helping people set and achieve their goals.

My passion for goal-setting started several years ago, almost by accident. I was doing events for Barnes & Noble, and one of my customers asked if I’d start a writers’ support group. I said, “If you think people will attend, I’d be happy to try it out.”

It was a hit. And I saw the power of goal-setting and accountability firsthand.

At these meetings, people would share what they were working on, report on their goals, and set new ones. Almost everyone, including me, would get something done for the next meeting. Seeing others achieve is encouraging—“If they can do it, so can I”—but the positive feedback you get when you reach your goals is even more motivating. The process works!

Fast forward several years. I had moved to Los Angeles and frequently talked about this awesome goals group I led at Barnes & Noble. It was time to start it up again. Over the years, the group—which was named Write On!—has gone through many changes and now also embraces creatives and entrepreneurs. We have live meetings where I give out “stars”—a gold star when you achieve the goals you set, any color star for effort. There’s also a substantial online community: a page and group on Facebook, as well as a #GoalChat on Twitter.

This group led me to start coaching after a member asked if I would help him one-on-one. I also began speaking and leading workshops, live and online. Over the years, I’ve helped people around the world set and achieve goals through strategizing, troubleshooting, and offering resources, encouragement, and deadlines. Their projects ranged from writing books and starting blogs to social media, business development, and more. I’ve also worked with businesses to turn their ideas into reality.

After years of working on and polishing my goal-setting and productivity techniques, I adapted it into a simple roadmap, The D*E*B Method, which is the process used in Your Goal Guide.

The Goal Conundrum

What stops you from achieving your goals?

•Not enough time?

•Not enough motivation?

•Not a clue as to what you want to do?

You’re not alone.

It’s difficult to focus on your goals when you have to invest time and energy you don’t really have into something that may reward you down the line. However, if you make your goals a priority and work on them for short periods of time, you will eventually reach your desired destination.

The Roadmap

The D*E*B Method is the approach I created to help people figure out what they want and how to develop a plan to get it. The process, which we will go through in Part 1 of the book, is as simple as planning a road trip.

The first step—D—is to Determine Where You Want to Go: Your Mission. What type of place would you like to go on your road trip? What makes you happy? The beach, the mountains, the city? Do you want an adrenaline-fueled adventure, or would you rather relax at a resort?

Whether you are planning a trip or plotting a goal, you need to get a clear vision of where you want to go and what you want to accomplish. This section will help you figure out your GoalTopia and the mission behind it; this will serve as the driving force that propels you through your journey.

Once you know your ideal target, it’s time to E—Explore Different Destinations. You know you want to go to an amusement park, but which one? You want to start a side business for fun and profit, but what type of business?

Just as there are more than four hundred amusement parks in the United States, there are countless options for side businesses. You need to narrow it down.

This section will guide you through investigating different possibilities. The legwork will help you find clarity, so you can choose a specific destination or goal.

After you set your sights on a long-term goal, there’s B—Brainstorm Your Route. For a road trip, that means deciding when to drive, where to stop, and what sights to see along the way. For a project, you need to list out all the goals, benchmarks, and tasks. Gather the pieces, put together an itinerary, and create a clear path that leads to your goal.

Part 2 of the book, Rules of the Road, offers guidance including everything from Tips for a Successful Trip—time management and productivity—to Car Maintenance and Troubleshooting—staying on track and dealing with drama.

No matter your dreams, Your Goal Guide is the roadmap to help you set, plan, and achieve your goals.

Personal Versus Professional Goals

Although Your Goal Guide is geared toward professional aspirations, The D*E*B Method can be used for reaching personal goals as well. For instance, your mission might relate to having a healthier lifestyle or traveling more. You would then explore options and brainstorm a path to make it happen.

The other thing to keep in mind is that personal and professional goals work together. The things you do to improve your personal life may impact your professional life and vice versa. For instance, if you lead a healthier lifestyle, you will have more energy and be more productive at work. Or you may be out networking for work and make a new friend with similar interests. That could help you make progress on your personal goals.

My point: While one type of goal might be a priority over another in a certain phase of life, it’s not ultimately a choice between one or the other. All goals work in tandem. They elevate each other and can give your travel a turbo-boost in the process.

Goal-Setting Simplified

The key word here is “simplified.”

A lot of the time, people get stalled—or don’t even get started—because they overcomplicate things. This book, like my process, is very user-friendly.

Your Goal Guide has:

•Simple exercises to get you thinking

•Sound advice that’s short and to the point

•Troubleshooting tactics to deal with common problems

•Case studies that showcase examples

•Resources to keep you going

Beware of Backseat Drivers: Setting goals is a very personal process. You may be tempted to get advice from friends and loved ones while you are trying to figure things out. However, I recommend you keep any inquiries for feedback vague and limited to just one or two people until you come to your own conclusions. You don’t want to be lured away from the right route or steered in the wrong direction.

You can also stop by the Your Goal Guide community on Facebook to ask questions at any time.

Goal-Setting Survey: I surveyed a variety of writers, creatives, consultants, marketers, and entrepreneurs to ask about their goal-setting habits and challenges. Some of their strategies and suggestions are incorporated throughout the book. If you want your feedback included in a future version, take the Goal Survey at TheDebMethod.com/GoalSurvey.

How to Use Your Goal Guide

Use this book in the way it best serves you.

Whether you need to make a major life-change or minor adjustments to your lifestyle—and even if you know what you want—go through Part 1 to set goals. It’s your guide through the three phases of The D*E*B Method. Return to this section whenever you feel the need to refresh or reboot your plan. Use Part 2, which has tips for a successful trip, as well as the resources in the Appendices to stay on schedule and on track.

Oil Changes: Use the same time frame for reviewing and rebooting your goals as you use for servicing your car. Oil changes are recommended every six months. While you should review your goals regularly, try to place a minimum of three months between goal reboots.

Of course, there are exceptions to every rule: life changes (you have to move), plans change (you didn’t get the job), things change (a surprise personal or professional opportunity gets thrown in your lap), and you have to make adjustments. However, if you change your destination every week or even every month, just because you are not getting where you want to go fast enough, you’ll find yourself frustrated and stalled. Don’t panic. Give your plans a chance and give yourself a break.

Road Trip Survival Kit

To successfully plan and complete your goals, you need:

•Pen and paper, notebook, or dedicated computer document

◦There are a lot of free-writing exercises throughout the book. You need to have a designated location to write them all down

◦You may also want a separate journal

◦Optional: Poster board or portfolio folder and other supplies for creating and keeping your Trip Map

•A calendar

◦To make a change, you need to make the time.

A calendar—paper, electronic, or both—keeps you organized and on schedule

•A timer

◦It’s the best tool for tracking work time, break time, and brainstorming time. And the best part is everyone has one on their mobile phone, which for most people is never too far away

•Computer, tablet, and/or smartphone

◦This is essential for research and outreach

◦Tip: A portable keyboard is a must for those working on the go

•Items related to your goals

◦You will need specific resources based on what you need in order to achieve your goals

◦It can be electronic, educational, or interpersonal and involve supplies, vendors, and so on

◦This includes books, websites, videos, podcasts, courses, etc.

•The desire to make a change

Planning goals, like planning the perfect road trip, takes time, energy, and effort. When you make the commitment and do the work, the road ahead will be much smoother.

Throughout this book, I will be your goal guide and project catalyst. I will help you figure out what you want and break down your goals into doable parts. Combine that with strategies for success, and you are headed on the road trip of your dreams. Trust me. And trust yourself. The time and energy will be worth it.