People who don’t have a plan of their own are going to be a part of someone else’s. Following are five rules for effective goal setting.
1) Goals must be clear. For example, deciding you’re going to improve your communication skills is meaningless unless you also determine the steps you’re going to take, such as identifying courses in which to enrol, books to read, and how you intend to increase your vocabulary. People with clear goals and definite ideas about how to achieve them are far more apt to succeed than those who don’t; unclear goals breed apathy, inaction and eventual failure.
2) Goals need timetables. Goals without timetables are just wishes.You have to decide when you’re going to enrol in those courses, when you’re going to buy and read those books, and how many words a week you’re going to add to your vocabulary. Reaching goals on time isn’t always possible, so timetables can be revised if there’s a valid reason to do so; but procrastination is an excuse, not a reason.
3) Goals must be realistic. Ambition is good, and it’s fine to have to stretch a bit to reach a goal. But expectations cause frustration, so if your goals are set unreasonably high you’ll become frustrated. Aim high enough to stretch yourself but not so high that you give up hope. Realistic goals will keep you moving forward and provide gratification rather than frustration.
4) It’s necessary to have both short-term and long-term goals. Long-term goals should be capable of being broken down into compatible, less ambitious short-term goals. Short-term goals are needed to maintain momentum and discipline and to keep from becoming disillusioned by setbacks. If setbacks start to get you down, set some easier short-term goals and work your way back up. Keep your eye on your final objective, and reward yourself when a short-term goal is reached.
5) Goals should be personal. Wise people don’t waste time and energy on pursuits for which they aren’t suited; and wiser still are those who resolutely pursue what they do best. Because you’ll never know enough about someone else’s circumstances to make accurate assessments, no goal should ever involve trying to top others. Comparing yourself to someone else is just a distraction; goals should only be about topping yourself.
If you have trouble developing a cohesive goal-setting framework, try planning ninety-day segments over a one-year period. Start by asking yourself what has to happen in 2023 to prevent you from looking back and thinking, “I wish I had” or “I wish I hadn’t.” Think back about 2022 and analyze your accomplishments and disappointments. What would you change? Consider: health, free time, career, finances and relationships. Imagine that you’re going to have a press conference ninety days from now to discuss your goals, the steps you’re taking to reach them, and how things are going. Think about what you’d want to say then plan and act accordingly.
Happy New Year! And may 2023 be one of gratifying accomplishments.