WHAT IS GOAL SETTING AND HOW TO DO IT WELL
How do you set goals for yourself? How often do you achieve the goals that are truly important to you? If you are having trouble following your goal planning, you may be tempted to give up everything. People say things like, “Maybe this is just it,” or “I should settle for what I have.”
But frequently what is getting in the way of achievement is the actual goal. If your goal is to “lose weight,” how will you know when that goal is complete? When you have lost one pound? Five? Forty? Without a clear target, you will never hit your mark. That is why it’s crucial to learn how to set goals that are clear, measurable and actionable.
WHAT IS GOAL SETTING?
When asking the question “What is goal setting?”, keep in mind that goals can look very different depending on lifestyle, values and definition of success. Your goals are unique to you and don’t need to look like anyone else’s.
The classic goal setting definition is the process of identifying something you want to accomplish and establishing measurable objectives and timeframes to help you achieve it. Goal setting can help you in any area of your life, from achieving financial freedom to adopting a healthy diet. When you learn how to set goals in one area of your life, it becomes easier to set them in other areas.
Setting progressive goals that allow small wins helps you move on to larger achievements. These small goals lead to progress, which is the only thing you really need to feel fulfilled and happy.
WHY IS GOAL SETTING IMPORTANT?
Goal setting is vital because it helps you decide and focus on what’s really important to you. Effective goal setting also lets you measure progress, overcome procrastination and visualize your dreams. If you don’t know what you want to accomplish, you can’t create a plan to get there. Goal setting is the vehicle that will drive you to your desired destination.
Goal setting also keeps you accountable. Whether you’re learning how to set goals at work or in your personal life, telling others about your goals makes you more likely to establish the patterns that will accomplish them.
Here we will cover how to set goals to ensure you achieve them. You will learn what makes a compelling goal as well as the steps you need to take to see them through.
WHY HAVE GOALS ANYWAY?
Effective goal setting is the fundamental key to success. Whether it is increasing your intelligence, taking up a new hobby or rekindling a relationship, setting goals lets us create our future. Setting goals helps us grow and expand, pushing ourselves to transform in ways that we never imagined. In order to feel truly fulfilled, we need to know and feel like we’re working to achieve something. Tony Robbins says, “Progress equals happiness,” and setting goals is what gets us there.
HOW TO SET GOALS
What is goal setting to you? When you set goals, are you used to seeing them disappear in the rearview mirror? We’re willing to bet if you are reading this page, you have set a goal or two in your life. But did you see them through? Are you setting goals effectively? Will your goals transform your life in the ways you want and help you unlock something extraordinary?
Many times people think they understand how to set goals, but then they never quite achieve what they were after. One common reason is that their goals aren’t compelling or inspiring.
You are much more likely to put time and energy into something that excites you, so your goals should reflect that same level of momentum. Think of a goal as a dream with a deadline. Now all we have to do is create a blueprint to achievement.
1. Goal setting step 1: Give yourself 10 minutes to brainstorm a list of anything you would like to achieve, create, do, have, give and/or experience in the next 20 years. Write as many things down as fast as you can in this time.
2. Goal setting step 2: Now go back through your list and write one, three, five, 10 or 20 years next to each goal to indicate how long it will take to achieve them. Be realistic when assigning time estimates.
3. Goal setting step 3: Review your list. Choose your top four one-year goals. These are goals that make you really excited. Write a paragraph for each goal explaining why you will absolutely achieve this goal within the next 12 months.
If you’re able to share what you have written down with a friend, family member or another person you trust, do so. If not, just say them out loud to yourself; this helps make the goal-planning process less of a concept and more of a reality.
Why is goal setting important? Visualize yourself older and looking back. What’s the pain from not achieving, and what is the pleasure from having achieved your goals? Effective goal setting helps you stay focused, keeps you accountable and is the single most important aspect of reaching your dreams.
