Goals.

Not just for hockey anymore.

Sometimes people get so caught up in SEO, PPC, ROI and other sweet professional sounding acronyms, that they forget a lot of success will come down to Y-O-U.

"If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things." -Albert Einsten-

This is where the idea of goals comes in… The elite performers all have goals. It doesn't matter if they are playing in the Final Four, or if they are raking in affiliate cash. They have goals. You can be sure of it. Your favorite athlete, musician and business mogul got to where they are by plotting goals and working to achieve them.

If the people you admire used goals, then why wouldn't you? It is estimated that only 4% of the population actually have their goals written out. You can instantly separate yourself from the pack by taking this simple step.

There is a huge difference in writing down your goals and actually following though. It is one thing for me to write down "Do not drink as much" and then fire it in the desk drawer as I open a tall can of beer.

You have to plot out goals and get after them!

Here are a couple goal setting hints that will have you setting goals AND following them.

Write Them Down – Write your goals down, it will help keep you on track and keep your goals in your mind.

Don't be Afraid to Dream – Many people are all about "reasonable" goals. Sometimes it is OK to dream though. You can set huge goals like become rich, buy a yacht etc… Just make sure to plot your path to these goals with smaller more attainable goals that will help build your confidence.

"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." -CS Lewis-

Break Your Big Goals Down - Related to the above point, when you make a big goal, break it down into smaller goals. For example if your goal is to earn $50 000 this year, break it down into weeks. This way you can work on making just under $1000/week. It seems a lot more attainable when you look at it like that. If you reach that goal each week, you will have realized your bigger one as well.

Share Your Goals – If you share your goals with close friends or family, you will be more likely to follow through with them. This adds accountability. If you tell yourself you will exercise 5 days a week and don't…you only have to deal with yourself. If you tell your family your goal, then you have the added motivation of not going back on your word.

Reward Yourself – Build in a reward system for your goal setting. This is another motivational tactic that will hopefully keep you on track. Set some sort of reward for when you reach a goal. I might not be typical, but my biz partner and I planned celebratory trips to the bar if we met certain revenue goals. Trust me, little things like that can keep you going through a long day.

Affiliate marketing is like any other pursuit – the elite performers set goals, write them down and then stick to them. When you are working online make sure you have goals to follow. It will keep you motivated and on the fast track to success.