6 Guidelines for Setting Effective Goals
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Posted in Motivation
- Effective goals are written. Many of us daydream about the things we would like to accomplish. But before we can achieve those dreams we must pick up a pen and write down the things that we most want to achieve. Once your goal is committed to paper, it becomes concrete. When you write out a goal, you give it life. You actually see what you’re thinking. You have a target to aim for … something that takes shape and grows legs. Your goal is no longer just a dream, it has now been given a sense of reality. Writing down your goals is always the first step toward achieving them. Goals not written down fall victim to the “out of sight … out of mind” phenomenon!
- Effective goals are written in specific, measurable terms. When you are specific in writing your goals, you have probably expressed them in a clear, measurable way. In other words, goals must be easily definable and measurable so that your progress toward them can be monitored and evaluated, and so that you’ll know when you have achieved them.
- Effective goals are attainable. Good goals should require you to stretch a bit in order to challenge your skills and abilities. The real trick is to make the goal realistic enough so that it is reasonably attainable without discouraging your effort and performance. As your success and confidence grow, you may then decide to stretch for a higher goal.
- Effective goals are manageable. On occasion, a goal may seem overwhelming because of its scope but if you divide that goal into smaller components, it becomes easier to manage and is therefore more achievable.
- Effective goals can be visualized. Practice picturing yourself reaching your goal. Feel the end result, the moment, and your emotions. Most of the energy that drives us to reach our goals comes from our desire to attain them. In general, the stronger and more focused your desire, the more quickly you will achieve your goal.
- Effective goals require periodic evaluation of your progress. A periodic review of your goals will go a long way in ensuring that they continue to be timely, realistic and well-defined. A regular, honest evaluation of your progress increases the probability of reaching your goal.
What are your priorities? Set goals and take action!
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Comments
There is a caveat though! If you’re going to achieve your goals, first you must believe in your ability to achieve them. Otherwise you run the risk of just feeling guilty and a failure if goals don’t get achieved, and you give up on all the brilliant tips you’ve given!
I’ve spent many years figuring out how to believe in my self and I’ve developed many strategies that help others to do it too. It’s a vital and often overlooked step in goal setting and goal achieving!
I like Point 2 - Effective goals are written in specific, measurable terms. I call these indicators of performance and are clearly quantified, both in terms of target and timeframe. Makes it much easier to track.
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Great run down!! I like abbreviations or metaphors – that way it is easier to remember. Specifically to goal setting I really love to be it SMART. Wikipedia defines it as specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. But I like it as simple for “S” and realistic for “R”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMART_%28Specific_Measurable_Achievable_Realistic_Time%29