Here are a handful of goal setting guidelines to help you turn your dreams into solid progress this year.
We can think of reaching a goal as like climbing a mountain.
Our long term goal may be reaching the top. It's kind of impossible to even see up there from down here at the start.
It's also hard to imagine what it will be like up there, and difficult to grasp just how difficult it will be to get there.
There are bound to be some unexpected obstacles along the way and our motivation is bound to struggle at times. It's only natural, being that it is such a big challenge.
In order to reach the summit, we will perhaps need to have a few targets along the way. First get to A, then B, then C, then finally the summit. Then of course is the step by step effort it takes to get to A.
Each of the short, medium, and long term goals all play a motivating factor. Would we ever bother making all that effort climbing upwards if we didn't have at least a vague idea that the view at the top would be beautiful?
Goals should be challenging but not impossible. If a goal can be achieved without much effort then there's no point in setting a goal in the first place. Likewise, if our goal is clearly too much considering our abilities and situation then it could end up being discouraging.
The purpose of a goal is keep our motivation running high consistently.
It's better to aim at a level where we would be very impressed with ourselves and our progress than to aim low and not challenge ourselves.
Making our goals measurable means quantifying it so:
The increased accuracy of a measurable goal means that we can also reflect and adjust our goal accordingly, enabling us to find an optimal target.
Let's try and keep our eyes on where we want to go and what we want to do rather than where we don’t want to go or what we don't want to be doing. It is more powerful to decide what we will do than what we won't.
"I will" is liberating. "I won't" potentially restrictive. "I will" points to courage. "I won't" perhaps to fear.
I have heard it said that it is most natural thing in the world to go forward. Our eyes are facing forward and when we move we naturally put one foot in front of the other.
Feedback through self-reflection is essential. The feedback we gain along the way will allow us to readjust our various goals to maximise their efficiency.
Letting potential supporters like friends and family know what our goals are can be a source of encouragement as they ask how we are getting on.
Apply these 6 goal setting guidelines to your life and you will sure to feel and see the difference in your relationship with your dreams.
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