Without goals, you can lack focus and direction. Setting personal goals puts you in the driver’s seat, giving you the power to transform your own life into whatever direction you desire. However, in many circumstances, the initial goals we set out to complete are abandoned somewhere along the way.
To accomplish your goals, you need to know how to set them. This process begins with careful consideration, followed by ample amounts of hard work in order to achieve what we set out to do. In order to make the most of this process, here are ten steps for effective goal setting:
1. Believe in the process
The first step to goal setting is having absolute faith and belief in the process. If you don’t have the confidence in yourself and your abilities, then you might as well forget about your attempt to achieve your goals. If you are in doubt, look around you. Everything you can see began as a goal in someone’s head. Turn your thoughts into a reality.
2. Write it down
In order to eventuate the goal, you have to plan your attack. Write your goals down and schedule dates for their completion and evaluation. This can be the key to success, as writing down your goals will position you as the creator. If you neglect this step, you may continue to forget them or they will diminish in importance. Having them somewhere that you see them every day will help to reiterate their significance and increase your chances of achieving them.
3. Set goals that are specific
A goal has a much greater chance of being accomplished if it deals with specific facts and events. If your directions are vague, they can be misconstrued and easily skipped over. Specific goals provide regimen and precision to your training program.
4. Set goals that are measurable
If your goals are able to adhere to concrete criteria, you are able to measure progress towards their achievement. If you identify what you will see, hear and feel when you reach your goal, you can feel as if you have accomplished something tangible. In order to achieve effective goal setting, you should break your goal down into measurable elements.
5. Set goals that are attainable
While there is nothing wrong with shooting for the stars, it is important to investigate whether the goal is really applicable to you and your lifestyle. If you don’t have the time, money or experience to achieve something, you will be setting yourself up to fail and most certainly be miserable. For the most effective goal setting, ensure you are planning your steps wisely and establishing a realistic time frame that will allow you to carry out those steps.
6. Set goals that are realistic
Nothing demotivates more than not being able to achieve something you set up to do. To be realistic, your goal must represent an objective in which you are willing and able to work towards. You are the only one that can determine just how substantial your goal should be, but you should ensure there is a realistic chance that given the right circumstances, you are able to achieve it.
7. Set goals that are timely
Every set goal should be grounded within a time frame. Without a time frame, there is no sense of urgency. Make a tentative plan of everything you do and the time in which you want to do it. Instilling deadlines will help you and your team work towards them, creating motivation that can keep morale high. However, creating time frames can be a tricky and sensitive task. On the one hand, being too stringent on the timely aspect of goal setting can motivate, but it can also have the opposite effect, demotivating if you aren’t ticking the boxes on schedule.
8. Remain accountable
When you are working towards a goal, things are bound to get tough. When facing adversity, you have to hold yourself accountable. Telling your family and friends about your goals may give you the responsibility you need, helping you gather the support system to give you a push. If you remain accountable in your everyday life, you will also surround yourself with constant encouragement from those who are following your progress.
9. Don’t be afraid to ask for help
When entering a new venture, it is crucial to learn from those around you. Asking for help is nothing to be ashamed of, as freshening up your skills may be the thing that sets you apart. Seeking advice may come in a variety of different forms: from asking a friend, to developing a mentor – these will only get you one step closer to achieving your goals. Many people find that going back to study is one of the most beneficial steps when attempting to successfully achieve a goal. Adult learning courses are available in a variety of helpful fields, with some like a Diploma of Project Management (BSB51415) specifically targeting those in your position.
10. Continuously assess your progress
As time goes on, our goals are constantly changing and evolving. The end result may not look anything like what we initially set out to do; however, this can sometimes be a good thing. In order to learn from your mistakes and assist you next time, constantly assess your progress throughout your goal-setting journey.