Setting Goals
Setting goals, writing them down and keeping track of where you are in relation to where you want to be is key to success!
Where do you want to be and what do you want your life to be like tomorrow, a week, month, year, five years or even ten years from now?
Coming up with a vision of where you want to go makes it much easier to obtain these ideas/goals.
Step one: Define your reasons for setting these goals.
Defining your reasons for setting these goals may help you to make the best choices and give you an idea of how you're going to be able to obtain the goals you're setting! Different people can have different reasons for setting similar goals. This gives you an idea of what is driving you to succeed, keeps you're eye on what you want to accomplish and why.
Step two: Identify your needs.
This is where you start to come up with a plan for your goal! You will need to figure out what needs to happen for your success. What do you need to do to reach your goal? Is there schooling involved? If it's a fitness goal, and you have no medical problems or are cleared by your doctor, how will you reach your goal? Is there someone who can help you understand more about your goal and can help to support you along the way.
Step three: Establish your short-term and long-term goals.
Now that you've established both your reasons (step one) and your needs (step two), it's possible for you to set some short-term and long-term goals.
- Be realistic- One of the biggest problems in goal setting is that you may fail to meet the goals you've set if they're too big or too difficult to achieve. Failure to meet goals is discouraging, so you should set goals that you have a realistic chance of achieving. Short-term goal really need to be realistic for success.
- Focus on short-term goals first- Goals are easier to accomplish if you take them on a little at a time! Realistic short-term goals make you feel good when you've accomplished them and keep your momentum going. Each short-term goal leads you to accomplishing your long-term goal.
- Short-term goals should be behaviors that can be tracked- You can easily monitor and track these behaviors that will eventually lead you to the success of the long-term goal you establish. The outcomes can be monitored, but when changes don't happen immediately you may feel you've failed.
- Long-term goals- Be sure to base your long-term goals on what you want and what you can accomplish. When looking at a physical activity don't base your goal on something some else has accomplished before you. This could set you up for failure. Instead, look at where you are and where you can improve.
- Set goals that are in a lifestyle you can maintain- If you set goals you know you can maintain and are healthy you will find yourself continuing them throughout your lifetime! If you set your goals and they are too excessive you may burn out and quit your goal entirely. Consider the whole picture of your goal and the lifestyle you want to live once you've obtained your goal.
- Putting your goals in writing- It's easy for you to forget your goals if you don't have them in writing. Having both your short-term and long-term goals in writing helps you to stay committed to yourself and keep on track. Remember that these goals can be changed at any point, they're not cast in stone!
Step four: Write a weekly plan and do it!
You are more likely to stay on route to success if you put it in writing. Now do it! If you're going to continue you must manage your time. Time management is another key to success. From the very beginning, set aside time and a place to work. Place a high priority on you rime. Don't allow anything to interrupt your schedule. Build your goals into your routine; make it as much a habit as taking a shower or eating.
Step five: Keep monthly records of your goals and success.
Keeping a good record of can help you to attain your goal. Use a one month calendar to keep track of your regular activities and changes that occur.
Step six: Periodically reevaluate and modify your goal.
The weekly plans you make in step four may be an excellent one, but as time goes by your needs, goals and interests may change. For this reason you should go back and revisit your goal. Each time you change your goal, follow steps one through five again.
