A disgruntled copywriter wrote me demanding clarifications. He believes most copywriters lie and exaggerate their claims of wealth. Let’s call him “Chuck.”

I understand where Chuck is coming from. Because I’ve been where he is. So I responded, not because I wanted to acquiesce to his demands but because I wanted to give him hope, ideas, and, dare I say it, a million-dollar education.

He says he will be asking other copywriters the same question, and even threatened (although, that may be too harsh of a word) to publish my reply.

For all I know, this copywriter may be gathering information to create his own product. Who knows? (If he is, I must say that his strategy is brilliant. And if he does create a product out of this, good for him!)

I’m reprinting the conversation here since I believe it will help a lot of other struggling copywriters out there. Also, I’m opening myself a little more than usual. I guess you can say that I’m exposing the real “Michel Fortin.”

My answer might surprise you…

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Drop Your Goals (And Manage Your Life) by Michel Fortin is a book written over a decade ago as the author was going through some tough times.

The result is a powerful look at how to stop setting goals and to start looking at your priorities and values instead — called “guides” rather than “goals.”

It’s a bit spiritual and metaphysical in nature, so please read with an open mind. However, the strategies it offers are real and practical.

I highly recommend that your read this book, which is brought to you free, and start using the G.O.A.L. method outlined in the book, with templates at the end.

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Here are the worksheets to use when applying Michel Fortin’s G.O.A.L. method. You can simply use the tables below as a model to guide you. You can use them on a sheet of paper, in your journal, or on your computer.

But if you do prefer the printable version, you can download this book in digital PDF format by clicking here. Most browsers have the PDF plug-in already installed.

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“I conceive that pleasures are to be avoided if greater pains be the consequence, and pains to be coveted that will terminate in greater pleasures.”
– Michel Eyquem de Montaigne (Circa 1500)

Remember that it’s not your goals that really count but how you live your life according to what’s important to you. If you feel you can not incorporate this system with your current job or other responsibilities, you should first try it out.

You might find out that your job is indeed part of your priorities or that it doesn’t mean anything at all to you. If the first is true, then you will have a greater zest and love for what you do. However, if the second is true, then start looking for something you love or would love to do.

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“I practiced the art of getting more things done rather than getting the really important things done well.”
– Alec MacKenzie

“We can no more afford to spend major time on minor things than we can to spend minor time on major things.”
– Jim Rohn

Now is the time to set your GOALs. Your “guides” are goals that will most likely stem from your personal values because, having gone through the process so far, you will have a pretty good idea of what kind of goals you truly want. Take a new sheet of paper and write at the top the words “My Guides.” Then, write down what you want to be, do, or have.

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“The most important things in life aren’t things.”
– Francis the Talking Mule

“One of the symptoms of an approaching nervous breakdown is the belief that one’s work is terribly important.”
– Bertrand Russell

“Often people attempt to live their lives backwards: they try to have more things, or more money, in order to do more of what they want to they will be happier. The way it actually works is the reverse. You must first be who you really are, then do what you need to do, to have what you want.”
– Margaret Young

First, take a sheet of paper and write at the top “My Values.” Start by listing your top ten values. Ask yourself what kind of feeling, value, or personal meaning you would like in your life right now. What are your innermost convictions? What do your really value in life? What are you truly passionate about? What are your core desires?

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“Unless you live consistent with your deepest values, you’ll achieve but still lack the ultimate fulfillment you truly deserve.”
– Anthony Robbins

“The secret to success and happiness is to translate your values into everyday life.”
– Hyrum Smith

Everybody has a set of deep core values that governs a person’s actions and a person can never ignore his core values. When confronted with emergencies, pressure, important decisions, or challenging situations, the actions he invariably takes will directly stem from his personal set of values.

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