The 5 Ultimate Steps To Goal Setting (And Achieving Them!)
Posted by Adam Jelic on
Ever found yourself in a mindless Netflix marathon, brushing crumbs of questionable origin off yourself – when the “Are you still watching?” prompt makes you realise that most of the day has flown by as you stayed idle? If the answer to this question is yes, more often than not, it might be time to look into setting some goals.
Setting goals is more than just a wish or a dream. It involves taking continuous action to pursue your aims and targets regardless of obstacles. In essence, goals can be seen as various destinations on the road map of our lives. They help us stay focused and motivated as we strive to be the best versions of ourselves.
In this article, we take you through some steps to create and successfully achieve your goals.
1) Create goals that motivate you
The key to achieving your goals is to set goals that motivate you in the first place. Many people end up abandoning their goals simply because they are not motivated to achieve them. However, if your goals provide you with a purpose and direction to focus your efforts, you will feel more inclined to spend time and resources towards achieving them.
To go about this, begin by making sure you see the value of reaching your goal. Picture yourself accomplishing this target. What do you feel? Proud? Satisfied? If the outcome is but a blip on your radar, the goal is not compelling enough. Weak or unimpressive goals are one of the most common reasons why we feel less motivated in achieving them.
2) Set SMART goals
Once you have an idea of what your goals might be, it’s time to clarify them. Creating SMART objectives are essential to avoid setting yourself up for disappointment, while offering just the right amount of challenge within realistic expectations. These goals allow you to effectively form your timeline and define action steps to minimise any guesswork involved. The following are some questions that will help guide you set SMART goals:
- Specific: What do I exactly want to attain? Why do I want to accomplish this goal?
- Measurable: How will I know when I have succeeded in achieving it?
- Attainable: What are the requirements or constraints in reaching this goal? Do I have the resources to overcome these hurdles? Is it a reasonable stretch?
- Relevant: Is it worthwhile? Will it be meaningful?
- Time-based: What is the deadline of the goal?
3) Write down your goals
With innumerable thoughts and ideas running through our minds each day, keeping track of what needs to be done can be difficult. This is why it is crucial to write down your goals with a daily planner as a tangible reminder and to ensure accountability.
After all, written goals are more powerful than the ones kept in mind. You're also more likely to regularly reflect on these notes and consistently evaluate them for ongoing improvement. Similarly, you could also add a desk pad calendar to your table as a visual aid for time-sensitive objectives. So, if you’re someone who works better with tasks that are written down, it’s time to go out and buy a diary!
4) Follow through with your goals
If you don’t put in the time, effort, and energy in reaching your goals, you can’t expect to achieve them. A plan can only go so far without follow-up actions. While it may be tempting to change your mind or draw new plans when things don’t go your way, make sure to always trust in your capabilities and instincts. Remember, results are more important than sticking to your comfort zone.
5) Revise your goals regularly
Life happens. Sometimes this means putting your goals on hold for a short period or even speeding things up when a perfect opportunity presents itself. Regularly reviewing your targets will help you to keep track of your progress, including what worked and didn’t. This allows you to easily identify and work around possible impediments in the future. Setting aside time each week to review your goals is also important to help you evaluate your progress towards larger goals as well as celebrate small victories.
Paying attention to how you set up your goals is key to successfully accomplishing them. While the journey to these achievements may not be the easiest or smoothest, it will definitely be worth it! At MiGOALS, we produce beautifully designed goal-setting and personal development stationery. View our range of empowering planning tools that have aided so many in achieving their goals!