6 Goal Setting Tips to Help You Be More Successful at Achieving Your Objectives
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Have you ever wondered why some people are more successful at achieving set goals?
We often like to define first what we are aiming for at the onset of any activity – the so-called anticipated result of our actions – so the purpose is clear in our minds. Once a goal is set, we can devise action plans, determine the time required to achieve the objective, and decide what resources are needed to bring about the desired end. With the basics in place, we then go about doing the actual work while we monitor our progress against the plan we put into place.
“Easy! Nothing complicated about it!” you might say.
The problem is, if goal setting were as easy as following the prescribed outline found in many personality development books, why do you often find yourself abandoning your goals midstream?
Let me tell you.
The problem lies in the way we define and subsequently treat our goals!
Let me explain.
All too often, we fail to break down our lofty personal goals into more manageable tasks or, conversely, account for what our action plan can actually deliver.
For instance, if your goal were to lose 30 pounds in 5 months – a classic example to illustrate this point – how would you go about achieving this?
If we were to break down this goal into its component parts, this would mean a weight loss of 1.5 lbs during your very first week, right?
Big mistake!
During your first week, in all likelihood, you will be preoccupied with the basics, like:
- purchasing an accurate weighing scale, if you don’t have one yet, so you can regularly monitor your weight
- consulting a doctor or personal trainer to help you assess which exercise regimen is best for you
- acquiring the exercise gear you need
- mapping out your jogging/walking route or enrolling in a gym
- researching which diet plan to follow
- ridding your household of those tempting treats still found in your pantry or refrigerator
Before you know it, the first week is over and you are NOT 1.5 lbs lighter!
Worse yet, after realizing you have failed at the outset and discouragement sets in, you begin to wallow in misery. You look at your plan in disdain and begin to seriously have doubts. You know very well how this story will end, don’t you?
Goal setting done the right way CAN help you achieve what you set out to do. Just be mindful of the following goal setting tips when formulating your own goals:
1. Be Honest
Using the SMART principle (specific, attainable, realistic, time-bound), define your goals truthfully. If you are not the type who responds well to stretched goals, then be more conservative in your approach!
2. Think Things Through
Define your goals clearly. What do you need by way of resources? What steps do you need to take to achieve your objectives? How long should each task take? How would you be able to tell if adjustments are needed?
3. See in Your Mind’s Eye How Your Plan will Progress
Carefully scrutinize you action plan and see how this will affect your quantifiable targets. Be mindful of what your action plan can actually deliver and set your goals accordingly. Conversely, make sure your action plan can deliver the desired result.
4. Do the Work
Goals are met only when you do the work required work to achieve them. Wishful thinking or divine intervention won’t help you here, so don’t expect something to happen when you haven’t done anything!
5. Be Flexible
Account for the unexpected. Circumstances change. Be ready to tweak your goals if the situation calls for it but never lose sight of your goals’ underlying essence.
6. Reward Yourself
Pat yourself on the back for a job well done! As you come closer to achieving your goal, celebrate each milestone achieved!
Do you know of other goal setting tips? I would love to hear from you! Just leave me a note and let me know.
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I think one big mistake people make is not rewarding themselves, so I was glad to see you mention it. I also suggest people reward themselves if they fall a little short as well, not just when they succeed. Very good post thank you.
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Theres no such thing as unrealistic goals just unrealistic deadlines!
Any time you need to get a push to get your goals, You should make sure that folks all around you know about your personality development goals so that there’s public pressure on you all the time. Reporting to them would probably make you think twice about letting go of your goal setting.
Many men and women rarely put down to achieve their objectives, or never set goals to begin with, for the reason that they have got a fear of inability or rejection. Most likely they don’t really imagine that they can easily accomplish this, or perhaps they erroneously think that if they basically tell themselves what they wish enough times, their own ambitions will be fulfilled.
I am a frequent reader of your blog posts. I liked the recent one and other posts on your blog so much that I have subscribed to the blog’s RSS feed in Thunderbird. Even thinking of stealing some ideas and put them to work. Keep all the good work going by posting more informative posts. Thank you. Time well spent on this post.
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Thank you for you comment. I try to share the very things I learned about life, lessons that came at a heavy cost at times, in the hope that others can be helped by them. Please do tell me if there are other topics you want me to write about, and check out my other other blog http://www.managemytimenow.com for helpful snippets about time management.
We shouldn’t allow fear to smother our personal growth. Other people became successful not because life was easy for them. I am sure they dealt with rejections and failures as well, but having faced their own personal demons, they decided to move forward nonetheless. Where would we now be if we continuously succumbed to our fears?
Getting the support of others is definitely one way of providing you with the ‘push’ you need to take that extra step towards achieving your goals!
Unrealistic deadlines definitely put you at a disadvantage when it comes to achieving the goals you set for yourself. It all boils down to how much you know yourself and what you are capable of achieving within a limited time span. Thanks Peter for your comment!