Golden Rules of Goal Setting
Unleashing the power of goal setting is not a secret art, but a science. Discover the golden rules that transform dreams into reality, and ambitions into achievements. Let's delve into the principles that can guide you to success.
If you want to succeed, you need to set goals
Goal setting not only allows you to take control of your life’s direction but also provides you a benchmark for determining whether you are actually succeeding
- A million dollars in the bank is only proof of success if one of your goals is to amass riches
- If your goal is to practice acts of charity then keeping the money for yourself is suddenly contrary to how you would define success
Set SMART Goals
For goals to be powerful, they should be SMART
Set Measurable Goals
Include precise amounts, dates, and so on in your goals so you can measure your degree of success
- Without a way to measure your success you miss out on the celebration that comes with knowing you have actually achieved something
- Don’t be afraid to celebrate when you achieve your goals
Frame your goal statement positively
If you want to improve your retention rates say, “I will hold on to all existing employees for the next quarter”
Set Goals That Motivate You
Motivation is key to achieving goals
- Set goals that relate to the high priorities in your life
- Goal achievement requires commitment
- To maximize the likelihood of success, you need to feel a sense of urgency and have an “I must do this” attitude
- If you don’t have this, you risk putting off what needs to be done to make the goal a reality
Tip 2: If you use a to-do list, make yourself a To-Do List template that has your goals at the top of it
Post your goals in visible places to remind yourself every day of what it is you intend to do
- Put them on your walls, desk, computer monitor, bathroom mirror or refrigerator
Tip: To make sure that your goal is motivating, write down why it is valuable and important to you.
Ask yourself, “If I were to share my goal with others, what would I tell them to convince them it was a worthwhile goal?”
- This motivating value statement can help you if you start to doubt yourself or lose confidence in your ability to actually make the goal happen.
Set Goals in Writing
The physical act of writing down a goal makes it real and tangible. You have no excuse for forgetting about it.
Make an Action Plan
You get so focused on the outcome that you forget to plan all of the steps that are needed along the way.
Stick With It!
Goal setting is an ongoing activity, not just a means to an end
- Set reminders to keep yourself on track
- Make regular time-slots available to review your goals
- Your end destination may remain similar over the long term, but the action plan you set for yourself along the way can change significantly
Set Specific Goals
Vague or generalized goals are unhelpful
Set Attainable Goals
Make sure that it’s possible to achieve the goals you set.
- Resist the urge to set goals that are too easy
- Accomplishing a goal that you didn’t have to work hard for can be anticlimactic at best, and can also make you fear setting future goals that carry a risk of non-achievement
Set Relevant Goals
Goals should be relevant to the direction you want your life and career to take