As the year comes to an end, its that point in time when most of us are checking our 2014 new years resolution list to see how many of the things we set out to do at the beginning of the year we have actually accomplished. It’s a sad fact but most people never accomplish almost 90% of the health, financial, relationship or happiness goals and targets they set out for themselves at the start of the year. That’s why to me new year resolutions are more of wishful thinking and this is due to the lack of strategy or clarity that comes with the path that is going to be taken to reach your destination.
Goal setting is one thing we all try to do though only a handful of people get to make them work. The main problem is when people set these goals, most of them only attach themselves to the desired results of the goals and forget that to get these results you go through a process. So when the obstacles set in, they end up giving in and quitting in the end.
Brian Tracy wrote a great overview on goal setting in his book Flight Plan. He uses an analogy of a flight to explain the process of goal setting for personal success. Most flights will be off-course but they all reach their destination. Along the way the pilot has to deal with turbulence, crosswinds, storms, and lightning, which force him to make adjustments throughout the journey. That’s exactly how in real life goal setting works. You know your destination and you work towards it, but inevitably you have to make adjustments along the way. To most people knowing their destination is not the problem but making adjustment and sticking to them till the end is the main problem. Don’t forget time is an essential part of goal setting as it determines ones productivity. Productivity in simple terms is the time under which you complete a particular target or achieve a particular goal so it’s very important that when you make adjustments or amendments they are aligned towards achieving your goal.
I will give you a few tips on how to set and achieve your goals realistically:
1.Determine what you want to achieve.
It helps to have a clear picture of what you want exactly. Ask your self what do I want to a achieve!!? Is it financial success, healthy living, a happy life or a happy relationship? Ask your self in what period of time do I want achieve this goal. Its good to work on big goals under a one year time frame.
2. Break down how you will get there
When you’re through with figuring out what it is exactly that you want to achieve then the challenge sets in. If your light hearted at this point you’re likely to go off course. What’s your plan of realizing your goal or dream? You need a clear strategy of how your going to move from one point to the other. How do you plan on going from the starting point to breaking the tape at the finish line?
Now I know alot of people who want to make Forbes richest list but they just don’t know how to get there. I also have friends who want to have a Hollywood type of body; six packs, big muscles but are just clueless on how to make it. That’s why its good to know what you want to achieve and draw a plan backwards from the end result to be able to figure out how your going to be able to do it.
3. Write it down
If your goal is going to be more than wishful thinking then you will have to pen it down. Writing enables you to go back and revise you goal and plan. Look at it as an investment because naturally we don’t love to lose out on our investments. Writing down your goals, why they are important to you, and how your going to achieve them helps add clarity to the journey of achieving your goals.
4. Make it stick
You have figured out what you want, the road map is clear and defined. All you have to be concentrating on now is living by your plan. This is another challenge with most people. At this point most fall short. The most important thing here is not losing your goal and constantly reminding your self why you need to do this. Keep reading your plan and if possible write a placard of why its important you accomplish the task at hand and hang it in your bedroom when you can see it every morning when you wake up and every night before you go to bed.
Keep yourself in a surrounding that motivates you to work on your goal. Read inspirational books and blogs and also surround yourself with people who will inspire you to carry on till you achieve your goal.
5. Do one thing every day that brings you closer to your goals
How do you make sure that you will reach your goals? Work on them gradually little by little, day by day. And do this daily even if it’s for only a few minutes or a few hours. Work on your goals every single day so it is inevitable you will get what you want. Use the compound effect in your favor; the earlier you start, the bigger the changes become as time goes by. And the more time you spend working towards your goals, the faster you will achieve them. Just make them your most important tasks.
If you have any addition you can add it in the comment section. If you have a question too on how to set goals you will achieve just post your question in the comment section too. Lets know if you like this by liking the article.
ABOUT AUTHOR:
Jaluum Herberts is the C.E.O of Flash Point an east African Information Technology Consultancy firm. He is also the co-founder at YOUNG TREPS, a global forum that focuses on helping the youth on their entrepreneurial voyage from brilliant ideas and start ups to financially profitable and prosperous companies/businesses.