Have you ever thought about what you want to be doing in five
years' time? Where you’ll be by then? What you would have achieved, or
progresses you have made in whatever plan you have set out for yourself? Are you clear about what your main objective
in your life is at the moment? Do you know what you want to have achieved by
the end of today?
The truth is that if most of us are asked these questions, we can
hardly give definite answers. Our answers are either vague or not straight to
the point.
It’s actually a fact that different individuals have different
plans which they want to achieve in life, but it’s also funny to know that most
people don’t even have plans as to what they want to do in their life time. It
is very important for people to have goals in life and have a formula to
achieve it.
The dictionary
defines Goal as an aim or desired result, but
I would like to define goal as set out plans or aims in which an individual wishes
to achieve within a time frame. Goal setting is very important if you want to
succeed. Without goals you lack focus and direction. Goal setting not only
allows you to control of your life's direction; it also shows responsibility,
commitment and provides a benchmark for determining whether you are actually
succeeding.
The tragedy of life does not lie in not reaching your goals, the
tragedy lies in having no goals to reach............Benjamin Mays
However, in order to accomplish your goals, you need to know how
to set them. First thing you should do is carefully considering what you want
to achieve. You should be able to put in a lot of hard work and sacrifices to
accomplish your goals. Below are some tips that could aid you setting goals
that you can accomplish.
Set Motivating Goals.
When setting goals, it is important that they motivate you. Your
goals should be set according to your priorities. If your goal is of little
interest to you and doesn’t have much value upon achievement, you risk setting
goals that will demoralize you. You should also be willing to commit yourself
and have the “I can do it” attitude so as to maximize the likelihood of
succeeding. Moreover, your goals, when
shared with others should be able to convince them that it’s worth your while.
Set SMART goals
Most of you would probably have heard of SMART goals, but the
question is do we really apply them? In order For goals to be powerful, they
should be designed to be
• Specific.
• Measurable.
• Attainable.
• Relevant.
• Time Bound.
Set
Specific Goals
You
goal must be clear and well defined. Setting Vague or Ambiguous goals are
unhelpful because they won’t provide you sufficient direction. One thing you
should remember is that, your goals should show you the way. It should be made
as easy as possible so you can to get where you want. You also need to define
precisely where you want to end up
Set Measurable Goals
Including precise dates, amounts, progress
checkpoints and so on can help you measure your degree of success. For instance
if your goal is defined as “buying a car by in the next one year”, you should
know the cost implication of the car, you should know how much you have to save
every month. This will help you monitor your progress.Celebration comes knowing that you have
actually achieved something.
.Set Attainable
Goals
It
is important to make it possible to achieve the goals you set. If you set a
goal that you have no hope of achieving, you will only demoralize yourself and
erode your confidence.
However,
resist the urge to set goals that are too easy. Accomplishing goals that you
didn't have to work hard for can also make you fear setting future goals that
carry a risk of non-achievement. By setting realistic yet challenging goals,
you hit the balance you need. These are the types of goals that require you to
"raise the bar" and they bring the greatest personal satisfaction.
Set
Relevant Goals
Goals
you set for yourself should be relevant to the direction you want your life and
career to take. By keeping goals aligned with this, you'll develop the focus
you need to get ahead and do what you want. Setting inconsistent goals, will
only stall your time – and your life – away.
Set
Time Bound Goals
You
goals must have a deadline. When you are working on a deadline, your sense of
urgency increases and achievement will come that much quicker. . Again, this
means that you know when you can celebrate success
Put
Your Goals Into Writing
Putting
your goals in writing makes them real and difficult to forget. With this you
could actually make a to-do-list of steps you will take to achieve them.
Another good step is to post them at visible places, to constantly remind you
of what you want to achieve. It is also important to use the word “will”. Using
the word “will” sounds more positive, committing and motivating, unlike words
like “I would”, “I should” and “I might” for example “I will save #10, 000 a
month”, sounds more committing than “I would like to save #10, 000 a month”.
The latter lacks passion could make you get easily distracted.
Finally goal setting is an ongoing process not
just a means to an end. It’s important you stick to action plans or steps you
set out to achieve them. With this you should be able to measure your degree of
success.
I
would like to end this with this old saying; If you fail to plan, you plan to
fail.
Have
a nice week y’all…..
