Are you a success at goal setting?

January 19th, 2011 by admin

“Life can be pulled by goals just as surely as it can be pushed by drives.” ~ Viktor Frankl

I think we have probably all had goals that we did not realize. Here are some tips on how to be successful at goal setting.

Successful Goal Setting By Judith McIntosh

I have come to the conclusion that the greatest difference between those who succeed in life and those who do not, is the ability to set clear and identifiable goals. Setting effective goals is based first and foremost, on knowledge of who you are. What are your passions, and what are your talents? These are generally one and the same but occasionally it happens that one’s passions are in direct opposition to one’s talents. Then it will be somewhat more difficult (but not impossible) to reach one’s goals.

For instance: I totally lack the aptitude that would point to my ever being a pianist or someone with a high keyboarding speed, yet I manage to type about fifty words per minute (enough to get by) and am a very modest pianist. Mind you, I had to work very hard to accomplish the little that I’ve accomplished in these areas. My reasons for pursuing something for which I am not gifted lies in my passions. I love music and am a songwriter and composer. It would be almost impossible for me to write the music I write if I didn’t play an instrument. The same goes for keyboarding skills: I love to write, hence, I need to be able to type. So knowing that I lack the inborn talents in these areas, I certainly would never aspire to being a pianist by profession-nor a typist, for that matter.

Hence, when setting goals, first define what sorts of things come easily to you. Most likely they are representative of innate talents that you possess. Define your passions as well-those things that constantly beckon you, whether music, writing, animals, farming, etc. The world is a place of endless possibilities. Try to pinpoint your top five areas of interest and then narrow it down from there. Arrive at one answer and choose that as your goal.

Goals are not based in wishful thinking. They are clearly defined and specific. They have a start and an end date, and a future plan attached to the expiry date. Indeed, that future is another goal in itself. In order to set a concrete goal a good deal of research ought to go into the plan. For instance, if one decides to take a college course one must first have settled on a course he chooses to take, based on knowledge of who he is. He then must research the length of time the course will take and the associated costs of all materials, tuition, books, as well as his living accommodations while studying. He should also look into job opportunities at the end of the training. Is this a limited field or will he be likely to find work in his chosen field without too much ado? What will his new job pay him and will it be enough for him to live in the style that he wishes to live in? (Here, one needs to use a good dose of reality.) How long will it take him to reach the top in his chosen profession?

Once he has all of the necessary information on which to base a sound plan, then it’s time to implement the plan. This should be the easy part but often it’s still difficult because it requires action. Implementation is very scary because self-doubts may start sneaking in. Am I really smart enough to succeed, you may ask yourself. When these sorts of negative thoughts arise, they generally stem from a fear of success. After all, if you succeed the world will place expectations on you. It is your job to still the voices and to move full-stream ahead. This is simply one more step in your evolution as a mature individual capable of planning his own destiny.

From here on in it will require focus and hard work: focus so that you never lose sight of the goal, and hard work to help you get there. And I know from experience that if you set sound goals and retain your focus you will succeed at anything you set out to do. Good luck!

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TODAY’S TIP: You must put action into your goals. Without action nothing moves.

Will you be successful today?