Goal Setting

It’s that time of year again – time to set goals.  Some people call these resolutions, others call it changing their lives.  Many times the goals are great but don’t happen.  Here are some tips about setting goals and actually completing them.  Some tips you may have already seen.

Tip 1:  Whose goal is it?  Many times goals are set for you by others.  At work, goals can be imposed – at home, they could be generated by a spouse.  Think about what you want to accomplish – or what someone else wants you to accomplish and personalize it or throw it out.  If you can understand how you will directly benefit from achieving the goal, you can begin to personalize it and make it your own.  When you can’t find a benefit, stop working toward the goal – you won’t accomplish it anyway.

Tip 2:  Why do you want to do that?  Dig deep to understand why you want to work on this goal.  Be as specific as possible.  Think about what life will be like when you reach your goal – what then?  It’s rare that fireworks will go off or your life will be completely different.  The incremental changes or satisfaction of creating and implementing something new will be enough.  It’s important to know what the end looks like.

Tip 3:  The list.  Are you starting this year with a monster list?  Your goal may be to complete the list.  I once asked a client, what would happen if you got all your to dos done – it shocked her – she had never thought of that – we discovered she was defining her worth by the length of her list.  So you have the list, for 30 days don’t add to the list.  Schedule a period of time each day to work on the list.  Pick one item and complete it before going on to the next.

Tip 4:  Repetitive goals.  Do you have a certain goal that was on your list before and you made no progress?  Is it still on your list?  Why didn’t you accomplish that?  Get realistic.  What is different this year that wasn’t present before?  If nothing has changed, take it off the list – it’s not important and you won’t get it done.  You don’t get extra points for carrying it from year to year.

Tip 5:  The WOW!  Each year pick one goal that has the incredible impact, would be awesome, stretches you beyond and brings on excitement and even a little fear.  This is your stretch goal.  Just thinking about it causes your heart to race a bit.  Devote at least two hours each week to achievement of your WOW.  By year end you will have given over 100 hours to achieving your WOW.  Anything that you’re giving 100 hours of attention to is bound to make progress.

Tip 6:  Boundaries.  Set strong boundaries around your schedule to keep on track throughout the day.  Plan for interruptions and “other things” that come up by scheduling no more than 50% of each day.  Allowing others to take over your schedule will leave you exhausted.

What do you have in store for 2013?  What will you accomplish?  How many goals are on your plate?  Leave your comments below.

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