How often do you hear the word “goals” mentioned in everyday discussions? Sounds like a cliché and an overused and scary word? If so, read on…
In today’s world, whether you’re in business, a student, a stay-at-home mom, a senior, or simply trying to get by in life no matter what, goal-setting has become a term which is difficult to avoid. Well guess what? The concept of meeting one’s goals is not only used in business or in the career world. No matter what you do, no matter what your age, the concept of setting goals on an hourly, daily, weekly, monthly and annual basis helps us determine our day to day activities, what is important and less important to us, and where we’d like to see ourselves in the future.
Yes, goal-setting is directly related to our time management – What we choose to do, or not to do with our time, and what is important to us. Let’s be honest now… How often do you think about your goals? Have you ever written them down? Have you ever discussed them with anyone or been brave enough and committed to do something by telling someone first? Well done! If you’ve even thought about your goals, you’re on the right track! And if you’ve written them down or told someone about them – you’re really doing well.
Another great motivator to moving ahead with your goals is to print out photos of your goals and place them on the wall, a mirror, the refrigerator or on a white board. The clearer your goals and the more you can actually visualize, feel and “smell” them, the greater chance you have of actually achieving them. Wanting to go on a cruise? Print out a photo of the exact cruise line or destination you plan on joining. Yes! Get into the details. Wanting to buy a new car? Don’t just say it… Go online and print out a photo of the exact car, color and model you plan to buy. If you can’t imagine it or don’t yet know your budget, it’s less likely to happen.
Finally, get specific with your goals. In business terms we refer to using S.M.A.R.T. goals to achieve your goals more successfully. Yes, it is a clever or “smart” concept, but that’s not what I mean. S.M.A.R.T. goals means that when you set a goal, it should be Specific, Measureable, Attainable/Achievable, Realistic and Time-framed. Goals which are too general and don’t satisfy the above components, will more than likely not be met. Or at least not in the near future. Let’s say you’d like to lose weight. If you say you want to lose weight – that’s not a S.M.A.R.T. goal. However, if you say “I’d like to lose 3kg by the beginning of next month by stopping to eat in between meals”, you’re being Specific, it’s Measurable, it’s definitely Attainable, Realistic and has a Time-frame.
Now that you know how to move ahead and achieve those goals, what’s stopping you? Simply decide what’s important to you and where you see yourself in the next few months, year or more. GO! Best of luck… You CAN do it!
© Lesley Kaplan is passionate about life and enhancing people & processes. She assists businesses, organizations & individuals with consulting, coaching, training & development, promotion, sales, strategy and branding. She is the Founder & CEO of “L.A.K. Creations & Consulting” and “Build Your Biz with Lesley Kaplan”. www.LesleyKaplan.com