Welcome to part two of our goal-setting series! LAST WEEK, we went over the first 8 questions you can ask yourself in order to set some goals. Those questions were more about our actual thoughts, about what's happening inside our head. Who do you need to be? What do you need to believe? Today, I have 6 more questions for you, but these are more about what surrounds you, about what could be influencing your goals or your goal-setting process. Watch the video or keep on reading...

Of course, with every goal comes obstacles and challenges. Which ones will you face? Make a list of them and list what you're going to do about them. How will you go beyond these challenges?

Very often, in order to get something, in order to say yes to something, we need to say no to something else. What will you be giving up? Make a list of those things as well and be prepared to let it go.

Back when I was in the fitness industry, some of my clients would come to me and say: "Nathalie, I need to lose weight." Immediately, I would answer: "What will that do for you if you lose weight?" They'd often end up saying something like: "Well, if I lose weight, then maybe I can find somebody. I've been single for a while." Ah! So, your goal is not to lose weight. Your goal is to find somebody. Well, why don't we focus on that instead? You are fine just the way you are. Losing weight is not your real goal. Meeting someone is. Ask yourself this question, and I promise, the answer you'll come up with? That's what your real goal is. Maybe you want to get a promotion at work or get a big contract so that it makes you feel like you are respected and it makes you feel good about yourself. So, the goal is not the promotion, the goal is to feel respected and feel good about yourself.

Once you have found the answer to the previous question, then you ask yourself: Is it worthwhile? Is feeling respected and feeling good about myself worthwhile? The answer to this question should be: "Heck yes!" If it's not, then maybe it's not a real goal. Go back to the previous question, and then move up to the next level and find what the real goal is.

What will happen if I don't get it? Try picturing yourself moving forward, not changing anything, not doing anything, and wonder: "If I don't fix this bad habit of being a shopaholic, I will probably go down the rabbit hole and it might even bankrupt me." Or: "If I don't get successful with my business, I might have to close doors. I might have to find a job somewhere." Or: "If I don't apply for this promotion, I might stay stuck at this level and regret it." What will happen if you don't get it? Thinking about that also solidifies the certitude that it is, in fact, a real goal.

The last question. Who is supporting you? Who is helping you getting rid of these limiting beliefs, facing these challenges, building strategies? Are the people around you a good influence? Who are the five people you spend the most time with? Are they people who raise your average? Jim Rhon said you're the average of the five people you spend the most time with. Who is in your corner? Who do you spend time with? What are you going to do to make sure that your environment and the people around you are also supporting your goals? I am on speed dial for many entrepreneurs, CEOs, managers & team members. Having someone in your corner provides you with the extra support to keep you on the right track.

I hope you enjoyed this short series. These questions are very powerful. Use them wisely and reach your goals!

FINANCIAL BAD HABITS ARE HARD TO GET RID OF.

Moving forward without making any changes may lead down an unwanted path.

January is the perfect month to set up financial goals and kickstart the new year! Download your copy of 10 Common Behaviours of Financially Confident People and get the clarity you need to get (and stay!) on top of your finances.

The Guide covers several topics:

• Is money an avoided topic in your household?
• Are you doubting you will ever be able to retire?
• Are you living paycheque to paycheque?
• Are you carrying balances on your credit cards?

Check out some of my previous blog posts...