How to Set Goals

Top athletes have goals. They want to win the next game, and they want to win the season championship.

Goals are the key to turning your dreams into reality and making your hard work count for something more. But, many people haven’t really thought about what they want in life.

Your job is an opportunity to power your goals. How can you use this opportunity to earn the life you want? Setting goals is a powerful way to achieve more and make your dreams a reality. Here’s how to set goals that will help you stay focused, avoid distractions, and turn your dreams into accomplishments.

  • Know what you want to achieve: Picture your life one year from now and five years from now like a scene in a movie. Imagine what you want to achieve. Having a sense of purpose and direction will make it easier to determine your goal. 
  • Use the SMART Approach: Now, when setting your goal, make sure it’s SMART – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. In simple terms, your goal should be clear, trackable, doable, relevant to your needs, and come with a deadline.
  • Put It in Writing: Document your goals. Write it down on a piece of paper or make a note on your phone so you can look at it as a reminder. This will transform it from abstract thoughts into tangible commitments.
  • Stay the course: Maintaining focus and determination throughout your pursuit of goals is crucial. It means not getting sidetracked by distractions or setbacks and consistently working towards your objectives.
  • Adjust your plan: Recognize success often requires adaptability, so be open to modifying your strategy as needed.

Questions

  1. Reflect on a goal you’ve set in the past. Was it SMART? How might you refine it using the SMART criteria?
  2. How does this job help you achieve your goals? 

Resource

https://www.mindtools.com/a5ykiuq/personal-goal-setting