You've read many books and articles on why having specific goals is so important. Goals help keep you focused, keep you motivated, reinforce progress, etc.

And I'm sure you're all familiar with the rules of goal setting -- make them specific, write them down, put a timeline on them, keep them to yourself or share them only with those people who can help you accomplished them, etc.

But do you know WHY having goals actually work?

It's because having specific goals focuses your reticular activating system or RAS. What's that? Read on.

At the base of your skull is a web shaped group of cells called the reticular activating system or RAS. Its job is to filter and screen out all of the information and data that bombard you during the day, and it only lets in data that you've identified in advance as important to you.

You've experienced how the RAS works before. Remember when you decided to buy your last car? Notice how, once you locked onto the type, color, make of car, you began seeing them all over the place?

Those cars were always there, but your RAS blocked awareness of them because they weren’t important to you -- they had no pay value for you.

However, once you identified consciously that you wanted that particular car, isn't it strange how those cars, dealerships, ads, financing options -- all which were always there -- suddenly got through to you?

That's the power of your reticular activating system, and why having goals work.

You see, every and anything you need to accomplish any goal is already out there and available to you. And by setting a specific goal, you focus and direct your RAS to begin letting in all the help, resources and information you need to accomplish it.

That's why goal setting works.

Go ahead and Google reticular activating system and see for yourself. And then set your goals and watch them become reality!

If you found this article helpful, then you can get 10 more GREAT TECHNIQUES for FREE by downloading my Special Report, “10 Techniques to Instantly Make You a Better Closer.” You can read about this by clicking here: http://www.mrinsidesales.com/report.htm and you can get it for FREE by signing up for my FREE weekly Ezine, “The Secrets of the Top 20%” by clicking here: http://www.mrinsidesales.com/ezine.htm

Author's Bio: 

Mike Brooks, Mr. Inside Sales, offers FREE Closing Scripts, and a FREE audio program designed to help you double your income selling over the phone. He works with business owners and inside sales reps nationwide teaching them the skills, strategies and techniques of top 20% performance. If you want to Close Business like a Top Closer, then learn how at: www.MrInsideSales.com