Goal setting
Why do so many people struggle to achieve goals? There are many reasons, but one of the most important is lack of constant re-enforcement and reminding that a goal exists. The way to achieve re-enforcement is to simply write the goal down. Specific written goals take a life of their own and have a much greater ability of becoming a reality.
Here’s how you set goals :
1) Look at your written down vision and life purpose. What smaller goals would help you to eventually reach your ultimate life ambition? What skills will you need?
- Raising capital
- Asking for donations
- Public speaking
- Book writing
2) Think about what ‘smaller’ goals you would like to achieve in your life too.
For example, becoming a famous musician might not be your vision or life purpose, but you would like to learn how to play the guitar.
Use S.M.A.R.T. goals
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Realistic
Time – frame
The S.M.A.R.T. acronym above is a tool to assist you to be more specific in your goal setting. For example; don’t just write down that you want to be rich. Here is a more definite statement :
I will own three residential houses with a combined worth of 1.4 Million dollars by Jan 2012.
See the difference? The goal is detailed, not only ‘real estate’ is mentioned, but a specific type of real-estate – ‘residential’. Also the goal value can be measured (by a real-estate valuer), is achievable, realistic and has a specific time of completion.
Here are two templates you can use to help you set your goals :
- Life planning and goals – Achievements (for you last year)
- Life planning and goals – New goals (for you this year)