Your Goal Guide

About the Author

Debra Eckerling is an accomplished writer, communications specialist, and project catalyst with over two decades of experience in the industry. She is the founder of Write On Online, a community for writers, creatives, and entrepreneurs, and hosts the #GoalChat Twitter Chat. Eckerling's expertise lies in helping individuals and organizations define and achieve their goals through a structured approach that combines coaching, workshops, and online support. Her career has been dedicated to promoting effective communication, strategic planning, and personal growth. In "Your Goal Guide: A Roadmap for Setting, Planning, and Achieving Your Goals," she distills years of practical experience and insights into a comprehensive guide that empowers readers to pursue their aspirations methodically and confidently.

Main Idea

"Your Goal Guide: A Roadmap for Setting, Planning, and Achieving Your Goals" by Debra Eckerling is a detailed and practical manual designed to assist readers in identifying, planning, and achieving their personal and professional goals. The book introduces the concept of "GoalTopia," a term coined by Eckerling to describe the ultimate vision of one’s ideal life. Through a series of structured exercises and strategies, Eckerling guides readers on a journey of self-discovery, helping them to clarify their aspirations, set achievable targets, and develop actionable plans. The book emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, detailed planning, and perseverance, presenting a flexible framework that readers can adapt to their unique circumstances and goals.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Determine Where You Want To Go
3. Explore Different Destinations
4. Brainstorm Your Route
5. Prioritize and Plan
6. Stay Motivated and Track Progress
7. Conclusion

Determine Where You Want To Go

The journey to achieving any goal begins with a clear understanding of what that goal is. In this initial phase, Eckerling introduces the concept of "GoalTopia," which serves as a guiding star for all future actions and decisions. GoalTopia represents the ultimate dream or ideal state of being that one aims to achieve. Eckerling argues that without a clear vision, it's challenging to chart a course or measure progress.

• GoalTopia Exercise: This exercise is foundational to the book's methodology. Readers are asked to write down their ultimate dreams and refine them through a process of reflection and meditation. Eckerling suggests setting aside dedicated time to meditate on one's desires and aspirations, allowing the mind to explore without constraints. This exercise helps to distill what truly matters to the reader and sets the stage for more detailed planning.
• Current Biography: In this exercise, readers write a biography that captures their current life, including professional achievements, personal experiences, skills, and values. This serves as a baseline for understanding one's starting point and highlights the gap between the present and the desired future.
• Future Biography: This exercise involves envisioning an ideal future and writing a biography from that future perspective. It includes imagined accomplishments, experiences, and the development of new skills. This forward-looking biography helps in setting clear, long-term goals and provides a motivational picture of what one is working towards.

Eckerling emphasizes that the process of understanding one’s goals and desires is not just about setting targets but about deeply understanding one's values, passions, and motivations. She encourages readers to revisit these exercises regularly, as their perspectives and circumstances may evolve over time, requiring adjustments to their GoalTopia.