In years where my husband and I have had written goals, we’ve exceeded expectations over years where we weren’t as focused. New Year’s Resolutions are sometimes considered a form of goal setting but are often missing some of the key ingredients listed below. Fortunately, goals can be established at any time of year. Here are some practical tips to help you achieve your goals:
1. Write down your goals. Written goals are more powerful than goals that we keep in our heads.
2. Post your goals somewhere where you can see them frequently. You can use your screen saver, daily notebook, a bathroom mirror, or any other place that you may frequently look at. This process helps you focus and increases the likelihood that your goals will be achieved.
3. Get a coach – you can hire a coach or use a goal-setting “buddy” to keep you focused and hold you accountable for your choices. Fitness programs advocate this approach, sports teams have them, etc. So why not goal setting for individuals? A good coach will inspire and help you achieve more.
4. Set milestone markers and check in to see what has been accomplished. These may be weekly, monthly, quarterly or whatever timelines you think are reasonable. Circumstances sometimes change so your goals may occasionally need to realign with changing situations.
5. Recognize that setbacks happen and are a part of life. However, if we learn from these circumstances, they can act as catalysts to future successes.
6. Make your goals SMART – specific & special, measureable & magical, action-oriented and appetizing, realistic and real, and time-effective and terrific.
Visit http://humanresources.about.com/cs/performancemanage/a/goalsetting.htm for other goal-setting information.
Wendy Robertson is a Human Resource Consultant who helps individuals to get what they want. This includes professional support in managing careers and retirement lifestyle planning. For further details, email wendy@robertsonconsulting.ca or visit www.robertsonconsulting.ca.
“A goal is a dream with a deadline.” – Napoleon Hill