Setting Goals
Erin Lashley
Why Don’t People Set Goals?
1. They think goals aren’t important.
2. They don’t know how.
3. They have a fear of failure.
4. They have a fear of rejection.
Why Should I Set Goals?
• Goals are used as stepping stones to help you achieve your ultimate dream(s) in life.
• Successful people think about what they want and how they are going to get it most of the time.
• The more clear you are about where you want to go, the faster you can get there.
• If you don’t have a goal, you’ll never know if you’re making progress.
How Do I Begin To Set Goals?
1. Ask yourself the following questions:
• What do I really want to do with my life?
• What do I want to accomplish?
• What do I want to be known for?
• What kind of individual do I want to be?
• What type of habits and disciplines would I like to have in my life?
The answers to these questions in the areas of health, finances, education/career, relationships, and spiritual growth will help you create your goals. I highly suggest writing two goals for each of these areas.
2. Your Goals Must Meet The Following Criteria:
1. It must be something that you personally really want.
2. It must be clear and it must be specific.
3. It must be measurable and quantifiable.
4. It must be both believable and achievable.
5. It must be in harmony with your other goals.
6. It must be in the first person.
Example: “I will get straight A’s on my report card. (September 2009)”
3. Remember, goals are not wishes nor are they vague. Goals are SMART!
S – Specific
M – Measurable
A – Attainable
R – Realistic
T – Timely
Why Should I Write Out My Goals Everyday?
Writing out your goals directly connects them to your R.A.S. (Reticular Activating System located inside your brain). In a nutshell, God designed your R.A.S. to remind you of things that are most important to you. It’s like looking at life through a customized pair of glasses that highlight objects important to you.
Every time you write down a goal you are telling your R.A.S. “This is important to me. Help me achieve this goal.” This exercise dramatically increases the probability of goal achievement because you now see life through your customized pair of glasses that highlight opportunities, resources, and relationships that will help you achieve your dreams. If you took 5min to write and review your top10 goals everyday, imagine how productive your life would be!
Here’s A Good Exercise:
• Write down your top 10 goals.
• Circle your top 3 goals.
• Ask yourself, “If I achieved one of these three goals which one would have the greatest affect on my life right now?”
• Create a plan to accomplish that one goal and you will see your life change for the better.
Final Goal Tip:
• Be careful of who you share your goals with. Lack of faith that others show towards your goals can cause great discouragement and drain motivation. This can be avoided if you use wisdom.
• Be consistent. Don’t give up. No matter what happens never, ever, ever stop writing down your goals and creating plans to achieve them. As long as you’re willing to work long enough and hard enough, you can achieve any goal you set your mind to do.
*NOTE*
Some information taken from Brian Tracey’s book entitled “GOALS.”