Goal Setting 101: Its More Than Just The List

What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as

what you become by achieving your goals.

The basics of setting a goal is an open secret known by top-caliber athletes, successful businesspeople and to all types of achievers in all the different fields. The basics of setting goals give will give you short-term and long-term motivation and focus. They help you set focus on the acquisition of required knowledge and they help you plan and organize your resources, including your time, so that you can get the best out of your life.

1. Set clear goals

Setting clearly defined short and long term goals will help you measure your progress and achieve personal satisfaction once you have successfully met your goals. Charting your progress will also allow you to see the stages of completion leading to the final realization of your goals. This helps to eliminate the feeling that you are in some long and pointless grind towards achieving your goals. Your self-confidence and your level of competence will continue to improve as you will become more aware of your capabilities as you complete the steps you have laid out or achieve your goals.

The basics of goal settings involve deciding what you really want to do with your life and what short term and long term goals you need to do to achieve it. Then you have to break down the goals into smaller and manageable targets that you need to complete on your way to achieving your lifetime targets.

You know the drill… make a list. Once you have your list in hand, waste no time in beginning to tackle your goals. A good way to have a manageable list is to have a daily and weekly set of goals. By doing it this way, you will be always in a position of moving toward the life you desire and plan for. Every day will give you an opportunity to fulfill a certain goal, giving you the satisfied feeling of accomplishment.

2. Attitude

Your attitude plays a major role in setting and achieving your goals. You must continue to ask yourself if any part of your mind is holding you back from completing your simplest goals? Is there a part of your behavior that has become a hindrance or keeps putting your plans into disarray? If you can see that you do have problems in an area, then the important next step is to address that problem. Solutions may include things like a visit to your doctor or psychiatrist to help get your emotions under control.

3. Time management

Careers are made by the practice of good time management. Careers require a lot of investment on the part of an individual. Plan how far you want to go in your career.

4. Education

Keep up in your field. Your education may be one of the keys to achieving your goals. If your goals require you to have a certain kind of degree or certification, or a certain kind of specialization, or demands a spcific skill to be developed, start by making plans on how to get the appropriate education.

5. Family

Your family should never be left out of your planning. If you are just starting out, then you will need to decide if you want to be a parent or when you want to become a parent.

6. Finances

Personal financial situations also play a significant role in achieving your goals. Set a realistic goal on how much you really want to earn. You also must be able to create plans or stages by which you will be able to reach your earning potential.

7. Physical abilities

Physically-gifted individuals may be able to achieve sports related goals like being in the NBA or the NFL. Honestly assessing your physical capabilities should be one of your priorities. But, don’t count yourself out. Many physical issues can be conquered with proper planning and training.

8. Recreation/ Leisure/ Fun

As the saying goes, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy and Jill a boring girl,” or something to that effect. Giving yourself a little pleasure, a little down-time, should be included into your plans.

Depending on your age, begin achieving your lifetime goals by setting a quarter of a century plan; or even a 10-year. Then break it down to 5 year plans, then a 1 year plan, then 6 month plans then monthly plans, then weekly, then daily.

Create a things-to-do list for the day.

Always review your plans and prepare for contingencies.

The basics of goal settings should not be so difficult once you get to be familiar with them.