The Definition of Goal Setting is pretty self-explanatory – it is the process of deciding what you want (or setting a goal) and figuring out how to achieve it.
We all have goals, right? Well… actually… not exactly…
We have plans. We plan to make more money in a few years, we plan to find a better job, we plan to go on vacation in Europe and we plan to start a family when the time is right.
But all these are not goals. They are ‘wishes’, ‘desires’, or maybe ‘plans for the future’ at best.
Even those of us, who are familiar with the concept and definition of Goal Setting often set false goals for ourselves. This is actually one of the main reasons why only 10%-15% of people who have the motivation and skill to succeed, consistently achieve the results they desire.
Whether you are new to Goal Setting or consider yourself a pro, I urge you to take a few minutes and check if your goals are lacking some important characteristics or if they can be made more powerful and more effective.
Is Your Goal:
1. Challenging?
Make sure that your goal is challenging enough to motivate you, yet not too hard so that it discourages you before you have even started.
2. Specific?
How clear are you about what you want? If you were to share your goal with me, would I be able to picture it without asking any other questions?
3. Believable?
Are you confident enough in your abilities and your chances of success? Does your goal sound do-able to you?
4. Motivating?
Do you feel inspired by your goal or is it just something you would not mind having?
5. Limited in time?
Does your goal have a specific deadline, so that you can measure your progress along the way? In my practice, many people confuse goals with ongoing habits (e.g. “waking up early”, “going to the gym twice a week”). If your goal is based on something you have to do regularly for the rest of your life, you are setting yourself up for sure failure.
6. Enjoyable?
It is much easier to succeed at something that you enjoy doing, rather than at something that you have to force yourself into.
7. Written down?
Writing your goals down instantly makes them feel more tangible, more urgent and more desirable.
8. Breakable into smaller action steps?
Can you identify a number of steps that will take you from where you are now to where you want to be?
9. Easy to visualize?
Our mind thinks in pictures and, therefore, it is hard for our mind to focus on something like “tons of money”, “a beautiful body” or “a hot-looking date”. Make sure that when you think about your goal you can picture it up to the smallest detail.
10. Backed-up by a support team?
At times when your confidence wavers, is there anyone who can encourage you to stay on track and keep on moving forward?
Goals should be SMART – Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Time-Oriented or Time-Sensitive.
They have definite tangible outcomes.
What are goals?
Goals are visions, outcomes, objectives or expectations. There are big goals and small goals. Say you have a goal like ‘I will save $100,000 or (a specific figure in any currency) in the next ten years.’ Sure, it is possible. To reach that goal, you need to find out how much you need to save in a year for the next ten years, how much in a month and how much everyday. You need to make sure that you have the income and the expenses that support your daily goal. If not, extend your time frame or try to increase your income, or reduce your expenses to meet your daily goal.
“If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there”…I read somewhere.
In a business, the executives develop the goals and communicated downwards. Involving all levels of organization enhances communication and increases commitment, dedication, involvement and motivation.
Write it down: It is very important that when you have a goal in your mind, INK it. If it is not written, it is not a goal. It is a dream, a wish and you assume no accountability to make it happen. Only when it is in the written form, it is a commitment, your mind will stay focused, and direct yourself towards the qualities of persistence, commitment and consistency to reach that goal.
Define/Specific: The goal should be specific. It is not, ‘I want to have lot of money in ten years”. What is ‘lot?’ Be specific, so you can divide further to reach daily goal. Goals must be concrete. Vague and ambiguous goals cannot be reached. Years ago, I wanted to buy a home and I was very specific – the price should not exceed $100,000, must have 3 bedrooms, and should not be more than ten miles from my work. After six months of intense search I found a condo fulfilling these conditions. When you’re specific you can narrow it down to exactly what you want, avoid all other distractions and proceed to accomplish it. Goals are specific measurable targets that are designed to clarify expectations, destinations.
Short term goals: Think of them as means to an end. When you have a short term goal aiming towards the long term goal, you see that you’re moving forward everyday. Short term goals eventually culminate to your long term goal because they are measurable. You can monitor the progress. What gets measured gets done. I remember my father had a budget goal and every night before he laid his head on the pillow, he would account for his daily expenses. He monitored it religiously. Goal setting also creates a discipline in you.
One step at a time the baby starts to walk. He doesn’t plan for a mile! Joggers and walkers start slow and go on increasing 15 min every two weeks. Slow and steady wins the race. We all know the story of’ the Hare and the Tortoise’. Keep at it. Don’t quit. “Inch by inch, it’s a Cinch’, said Loe Lionni, the famous children’s book author and a painter from Italy.
Realistic & Attainable: Goals must be realistic and believable. If you don’t believe you can achieve a goal, you won’t pay the price for it. Only when you believe you’ll choose to stay focused and do what you need to do to get it. When I was little, my brother would say, save a penny on the first day and double it daily and in a month you’ll be a millionaire, in fact you’ll have more than five million in 30 days.. This is mathematically fine but is not a realistic goal for a middle class person. First day a penny, second day 2 pennies, third day 4 pennies, fourth day 16 pennies, fifth day 32 pennies, sixth day 64 pennies, seventh day 128 pennies…do you get it? I could have tried for two weeks and repeated again for couple of times…
Goal should encompass are areas of life. Remember to set financial, academic, professional, physical, spiritual and relationship goals. Neither can you do one after the other nor can you get away without growth in another area.. All areas are interdependent. It will create a domino effect. In your life If you pursue higher studies when you’re working full time, make sure you spend few minutes a day with family members to avoid friction in relationship area. I would say balancing all areas of life an art of living. You should be able to achieve little bit of everything everyday.
In 2003, I made sure that I spent couple of hours a week with my old mother every week. It was important for me to spent quality time with her when she was old so that I don’t regret later. I was working long hours, going to school and still I inked an appointment with her every Friday evening and I remember she would look forward to that meeting. Now she is not in this world and I have no regrets. All areas need equal priorities. One is not more important than another. Do not compromise something for another. No goal is impossible.
Time or deadline: Define your goal and decide by when you want it. Deadline is important. We are inherently designed to set and achieve goals. Think about, when you wake up you have your own set of actions that you do like brush your teeth, wash your face, comb your hair, read newspaper or use computer, get to school or work and so on and so forth. You can call them chores, tasks, routine but these are daily goals, have become a habit and over the course of years they are on auto pilot.
On a holiday or weekends, you’ll not do as routinely as work days. Why? Because your brain is programmed to take it easy on holidays and there are no set deadlines. You wake up late, lethargic, may not do the routine things. Basically you slack, another word is relax, (it is ok to do it though) and then at the end of the day, you say ‘Time flies. Didn’t have time to do anything!!” is that true? But you had same number of hours on all days…
On the contrary if you need to attend a wedding or gathering on holidays, things get done and move on to the next goal, which is attend the wedding. This is a simple example.
Same applies to everything. When you have a deadline, you accomplish it. Definitely set up a time limit for your goal.. “Work expands with time” – said Cyril Northcote Parkinson.
Dream big, set goals, INK it and act on it with a definite deadline. You can achieve whatever you want. Nothing is stopping you from reaching your destination except the shackles that you put around you. Remember,
Goal + Timely Action = Desired Results
Awesome Power is an organization committed to encourage, motivate, inspire, coach and support individuals to believe in themselves and reach their fullest potentially in all areas of their life.
The author of this article, Vijaya Jayaraman, is a life coach, motivational speaker, a professional writer, personal coach dedicated to public speaking and writing articles to make a difference in other’s lives. The author is also deeply interested in spiritual studies and believes our life is the consequences of our own actions and that the spiritual study is the way for inner peace. We are on this earth to realize that all is ONE and that ONE is in all.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vijaya_Jayaraman
Have you heard the phrase before that you are the creator of your reality? When I first heard that, I thought it was a fascinating idea, but I never understood how the process actually works in reality until I came across the idea of setting intentions for myself. Everyday this process amazes me and the results are so exciting.
I’ve shared this insight with several of my clients and came across the same question. What is the difference between setting an intention and setting a goal? There is a subtle distinction between these two that makes a huge difference in the outcome and in the experience.
When we’re setting a goal, we think realistically. We analyze our current situation and plan out steps on how to reach our goal. Setting goals is based on reasoning and creating a plan. Setting a goal is very cognitive process of analyzing, planning and reasoning. We are in control of the plan and of all the steps how to get there. But as you know life comes between you and your goals sometimes. Something happens and you can’t do what you had scheduled. It is hard to stay on track because there are so many distractions. Can you identify with this?
There is another way of getting to where you want to be. Setting an intention is a similar process like setting a goal, but the difference is that you don’t plan out the way how to get there. You just intend the outcome and surrender the process to the universe. It is like making a wish. One requirement that the intention has is that it comes from your heart. It has to be something you really want. It does not come from the reasonable you but from the alive you. It is not created out of fear but our of love. If you’re aware of the battle inside of you between the heart and the mind you know that many times what the heart wishes for the mind destroys with many reasons.
Setting an intention is like setting the reasons on the side for a while and just intending with your heart the outcome of certain situations that would be exciting and inspiring for you. Try it out with little things first.
- Think of the day/week/trip ahead of you. What are some of the situations you will be facing?
- How would you like the outcome of these situations to be for them to be exciting and inspiring for you? Don’t worry if you don’t know how it could happen. Just think of what’s the most exciting outcome.
- Intend it, write it down, put it in safe place and then let it go. Release it in your heart to the universe and don’t worry about how it will happen. Just know that the process will be successful. Then you can go about your life having fun and not stressing about every step.
Seems so easy right? It is that easy, but some of the challenges that come up for people with setting intentions are really knowing what it is they want and letting go of the control over the process of reaching the outcome.
What is it that you really want? We have so many thoughts and reasons in our heads, influenced by the constant influx of information, people’s opinions, self-judgment and other factors. Sometimes it can be hard to know if we want something because we want it or because someone else said we should want it. So how do you know the difference between the two?
There is a simple tool to figure out what is your real desire and what is your “I should.” What you want and desire is exciting and inspiring. It comes right out of your being. What you “should” causes stress, anxiety and even depression. It comes from a judgment of how things should be rather than your creative self. So if you are setting an intention or a goal stop and really listen to your emotions. Your emotions and your heart, not your mind, is your guide to know what is right. If something feels right you’ll know right away.
Another challenge is letting go of control. We are so used to thinking that we are in control of our lives. We fear the unknown and create safety nets around us preventing us from falling down. These safety nets become so tight that pretty soon we feel like we’re stuck in the reality we created. But we are afraid of letting go because even though they choke us to death we know they are safe. Does that sound familiar? We want to be in control of every step on our way to our goals and this creates a lot of stress if things don’t go as planned. Letting go of control is about trusting that the universe will fulfill your intentions.
In the beginning it can be very hard, especially with our skeptical mind and all the reasons that it creates. But as you try this process more and more your trust in the goodness of the universe will grow. You won’t be feeling like you’re taking risks by letting go of your safety nets and you will understand that life is a great adventure and fun. Letting go of control creates space in your life where the magic happens. Then there is no more stress, no more worry. There is only peace and lots of love.
So get out there and start creating your life! Set some extraordinary intentions for yourself and enjoy the ride!
by Sarka Ruzickova
Visit her at http://sarkaruzickova.com/
The brain often thinks in pictures.
The human eye captures an incredible amount of information with just one glance and relays it all to the brain that then translates that information into a form we ‘see’.
It would be more accurate to say we see with our brains than with our eyes.
The success technique to which I am referring is visualization. I guarantee, that
“visualizing your results is the key to realizing your results”.
Visualizing is one of the most important techniques you will ever learn and one that is utilized by all high performers.
One of the reasons goal setting doesn’t work for people is because they don’t understand or utilize the power of this one critical factor. Often times, you may set a goal, write it down, you may even read it aloud every day, but if you can’t see yourself in possession of your goal, you will never realize it long term.
Visualizing is your key to success for two reasons:
1. Your mind thinks in pictures and images;
2. Your subconscious mind drives your behavior.
When something is hammered into your mind in clear detail, it becomes part of your reality.
Your subconscious mind doesn’t know the difference between something that is real and something vividly imagined. Whatever picture (goal) you consistently think about will drive your actions to create that exact picture.
When you continually see yourself in possession of your goal, your subconscious mind will move you into actions that align with the mental image you hold.
Successful people have always had clear, focused goals that guide them to greatness.
It took Thomas Edison thousands of attempts and thousands of failures over many years to invent the electric light bulb, but he new exactly what he wanted, and his goal kept him going until he achieved it The rest, as they say, is history.
Michelle Kwan had a goal to be the best skater in the world. Oprah Winfrey was an abused child who determined to make a better life for herself.
Successful people always have clear goals. Great musicians, great athletes, successful salespeople and inspiring leaders know what they want in life, and they go after it. Great parents work at it. No one becomes an astronaut by accident!
And yet the great bulk of people continue to drift through life with no goals at all, or with only vague dreams, hopes and wishes. No wonder we achieve so much less than we could!
For those who have not yet experienced the joy of setting and achieving magnificent goals, here is a powerful set of principles that have worked for thousands of my clients. They will work for you, too. I call them The 4 Steps to Successful Goal-Setting:
1. Decide what you want. Decide if you would rather have money in the bank, or that new car. Choose the life you prefer! You can’t have everything in life; but you can have anything you choose, if you will focus, pay the price, and pursue it with all your heart.
2. Clarify your values. Too often, people choose goals that are inconsistent with their priorities and daily behaviors. Do you value health, or comfort? Is financial independence a priority, or merely a wish? In a clash between your values and your wishes, your values will win every time. Be certain your goals are consistent with your most important values.
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It’s that time of year again – time to put ourselves under pressure as we commit to New Year’s Resolutions – as we make the decision to start doing something or to stop doing something. That’s right, the two words that most people commit to, start and stop. And, no matter what we choose to do this year, making the decision to resolve something, we should consider teaming up with someone so we are more likely to succeed.
Make this year different, make it successful. We all know that come March, we have left our New Year’s Resolutions behind us, mostly unsuccessful. But, this year we have a chance to change that. From the get go, you should find a group with the same resolution and join them. Whether you look within your community, find a group in the local paper, or ask someone you know who has successfully completed your goal in the past. The key to success is to reach out to others and commit.
Reaching out to others doesn’t have to be hard. If you find your community lacking in resources, turn to the internet. A quick Google search will list niche based groups. Go ahead and choose the ones you are interested in, sign up, and post often. It is key to keep up to date and in contact with your group, or else they won’t be able to offer you the resources you need. Groups are great, as the members range in experience and offer lots of opportunity to learn and grow. Remember though, stay within the group and try not to get to personal and one-on-one. A variety of opinions allows you to choose what works best for your lifestyle and also generates easier grounds for success.
If you aren’t ready for a support group, try a buddy system. As long as you have someone to report to, your resolution will be taken more seriously. Keep in mind, your buddy doesn’t necessarily have to have the same resolutions as you, just a friend willing to help you with yours is just a beneficial. Either way, make it a habit to check-in at least once a week, if not more, and be sure to honestly outline your setbacks and progress. Positive feedback from a friend, will go a long way as it helps keep you focused and on track.
No matter who you turn to this year to help you with your New Year’s Resolutions, make sure you are prepared in advanced. This year, before New Year’s Day, take a moment to research your goals to learn as much as you can about them. Having the knowledge will make it easier, not only will it help to overcome any hurdles, it will set you up know what you’re dedicating yourself to from the start.
I know a friend who tried to quit smoking three times before they succeeded. It wasn’t until they found out that they would feel flu like symptoms during the progress that they succeeded. In previous attempts, each time they felt sick, they decided to smoke again and suddenly they felt better. It wasn’t until they joined an online group that they learned the truth and haven’t had a cigarette since.
In the end, remember that change can be hard and stressful. This year you can make those New Year’s Resolutions successful with one piece of advice – skip out on going solo!
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New Year’s Resolutions are just around the corner. With that in mind, I took some time out to see what the Government of the USA listed as the most popular resolutions. Let’s take a look:
1. Lose weight.
With gym memberships going on sale and flyers full of treadmills, the first is probably the most obvious – to lose weight. Most of the time, people who resolve to lose weight picture themselves with model sized bodies.
But the truth is, according the WIN (Weight-Control Information Network), “A weight loss of 5 to 7 percent of body weight may improve your health and quality of life, and it may prevent weight-related health problems, like type 2 diabetes. For a person who weighs 200 pounds, this means losing 10 to 14 pounds.” Keep this in mind when you are imagining that “picture perfect” model sized body. Instead of striving to be media sized, strive to be healthy with a New Year’s Resolution of losing 5 – 7 pounds – a resolution with high benefits that most are able to succeed at.
2. Manage debt.
Another popular resolution, with no surprise, is to manage debt. With the economy the way it is, even the most careful of consumers have found themselves losing jobs and slowly falling into the empty money pit. This year, make your New Year’s Resolution count.
The Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Protection offers excellent guidance on realistic budgeting, credit counseling from a reputable organization, debt consolidation, debt negotiation, and bankruptcy. No matter what the financial situation is that you face, take a moment to get yourself back on track and focused on eliminating your debt, and call this year’s resolution a success.
3. Spend less.
Hand in hand with debt management, is the resolution to spend less. The most common approach to this New Year’s Resolution is to do with less and stop buying things we would usually buy. But, you can make an even more successful attempt by checking out 66 Ways to Save Money from the Consumer Literacy Consortium. We can make this year’s resolution successful by changing how we spend instead of whether to spend.
4. Get a better job
The next resolution on the list is to get a better job. Most people are constantly looking to improve, and a new job is a definite way to do so. Maybe you want another job in the same field, or you’re looking to change fields altogether. Before you go looking to hard, make sure you’re informed. Get the latest information on current salaries and benefits, and make sure you have an up-to-date resume and you’re prepared for interviews. To make this New Year’s Resolution successful this year, get help with these issues and more at the Career One Stop.
5. Get fit
Another top resolution is to get fit. And, even though most people start out successful they often fall short on boredom and lack of variety within their exercise routine. Instead of allowing this to happen, get fit successfully. Try the President’s Challenge. From aerobics to yoga, fishing to diving, bowling to trampoline, you’ll find hundred of activities to choose from that will keep you interested and motivated to succeed.
6. Education
With people losing jobs, looking for a career change or striving to make a difference in where they are going, a lot of people are making a New Year’s Resolution to get a better education. For some, this resolution might see impossible – lack of money, lack of time, etc.
Here are some suggestions to make this resolution a little more successful. If you are an adult who didn’t finish high school, there are night classes that allow you to work around you work schedule at your own pace. Perhaps you didn’t finish your B.A., M.A. or Ph.D., make a phone call to your alma mater to get started. If you’re looking for distance education that can be taken one class at a time as you can afford it, try Athabasca University, an online distance education that offers fully accredited degrees.
7. Get rid of bad habits
With New Year’s Resolutions, comes the idea of quitting bad habits. For some, drinking less alcohol and quitting smoking are the top to resolve on their list. A great way to reduce you alcohol intake is to drink more slowly, alternate drinks with non-alcoholic beverages, or quit those “quick drinks” you have on a regular basis. If smoking is on your list, try will power to quit cold turkey. If this isn’t your option, get support from others on sites like Quitnet. Either of these resolutions can be resolved successfully, you just need to take advantage of the loads of information that is available to you.
8. Reduce stress
The last New Year’s Resolution, and possibly one that has an impact on all of our others, is to reduce stress. This first step for this resolution is to identify what is stressing you out. Be specific, don’t just say “my job” or “my family”. Once you have identified them, learn how you can avoid, alter, adapt or accept them. Although this maybe a hard resolution to succeed with, check out HelpGuide to get a great deal of information and help along the way.
As you can see, it takes research and commitment to keep New Year’s Resolutions. If you make a plan, stick with them and use all the help available, you will succeed.
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