How to set goals and achieve them
There’s a chance that after reading the title, some of you got bored immediately. Indeed, so much has been already said and written about setting goals. And it seems that everybody knows everything about it. For example, everyone knows that they should write down their goals. However, according to one of my mentors, Brian Tracy, only 3% of people around the world actually do it. And it is they who achieve what they seek.
In this article, I will try to help you enter this 3%. You will refresh some things in your memory, and, I’m sure, you will discover some other things for the first time.
The first thing I recommend is to structure the goals according to the most important spheres of life. For example, health, finances, relationships, emotions. Of course, there can be more than these 4 sections. If you can’t imagine your life without traveling or self-development, make sure to include these items on your list.
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And then start to do what everyone already knows, but constantly forgets: write down your goals. Divide the sheet into several columns for the selected spheres and enter each goal in the appropriate section. Imagine that you have a magic wand in your hand, and you can make any wish that will definitely come true. Do not be shy and do not limit yourself; write down everything that comes to your mind, even the most incredible dreams.
What’s the point?
The purpose of this exercise is to replace “the rationalizer” in your head with “the wizard”. We will invite the former a little later, but for now, it is necessary to find out: what goals really inspire you? Which ones light up your eyes and make your heart beat faster: “Yes, yes, this is what I really want!”?
The problem is that too many people are striving to achieve someone else’s goals. They fall for the things that society imposes on them, agree with their relatives’ “good advice”, or get influenced by motivational articles on the media. As a result, some unexpected items appear on their goal lists, like “to go on a round-the-world trip” or “to buy a silver Porsche Cayenne”. If you can’t achieve these goals for years, then most likely, you don’t really want this.
Let’s get down to wording
So, take a look at the original list that you’ve got. Think of what is written, what makes you believe “I want this and I can achieve this.” Perhaps now you will decide to cross off some goals as unwanted or untimely. Let’s specify the rest.
To specify the goals, I prefer to use the SMART formula. It is a simple and proven technique, and here’s what the abbreviation means. The goal should be:
S – Specific
M – Measurable
A – Achievable
R – Relevant
T – Time-bound
Let me give you an example. Let’s say you want to increase the net profit from your business to 300,000 $ a month. The phrase “300 thousand dollars a month” is incorrect, because, despite the specific figure, it is unclear how to achieve this goal. Do you have the resources to achieve it? How soon do you want to get the intended result? Is it realistic to get it, say, in 2 months, if now you are in the red?
Here’s how you can word the same goal in a different way: “10 new customers per month with an average check of 30,000 $ by 1 March.” This goal fully corresponds to the SMART formula:
S – Specifics: 10 clients with an average check of 30 000 $.
M – Measurability: it’s easy to calculate how many clients you already have, and how many you need to attract.
A – Achievability: you decided that you can achieve getting 10 customers per month. Maybe you can get even a hundred – it all depends on the scale of your business.
R – Relevance: this goal is important to you here and now.
T – Time bounds: you want to receive 10 customers every month and reach this figure by 1 March.
Lifehack
There are some goals that can give you a lot of stress. For example, “lose 30 pounds by the end of this year.” Better write “go to the gym at least 2 times a week, starting on 5 May” and “make an appointment with a nutrition expert before the end of this month.” Doesn’t it sound more humane? When focusing on the process, and not on the end result, sometimes you can reach the goal faster and easier.
And where does networking come in?
I never get tired of saying: you made all your achievements with other people’s help. Someone can still believe that they have achieved everything on their own. But even if you think that you got a job yourself and moved up the career ladder without anyone’s help, there were still people around you who decided to put you on the payroll and then promote you.
Therefore, when setting goals, ask yourself the question: who do you need as potential helpers? Perhaps in order to achieve the goal you need to find a business partner, a fitness trainer, or a great hairdresser and stylist if your goal is a total image change.
Write down these people’s occupations or names (if you know them) opposite each of your goals, as well as places and ways to meet them. For example: “Take part in the ‘Young Entrepreneurs’ conference”, “Ask Peter K. to introduce me to his brother, a boxing coach,” etc.
Then, take these people through your networking funnel. To do this, you may also want to use the key principles of networking at events.
It makes no sense to do everything yourself. Remember that when you go together with someone, the destination becomes much closer.
Occasionally conduct “a goal audit”
Sometimes you make a list of your goals at the beginning of the year, but when you look at it at the end of the year some goals can make you think “Why on earth did I ever want that?”
It’s perfectly normal. After all, we are constantly changing, so do our priorities and the world around us. Therefore, I encourage you to be flexible. Review your list of goals every now and then and make adjustments.
And, of course, do not forget to compliment yourself and celebrate the achievement of your goals, even if these are intermediate results. Some people are so concerned about the “end point of the route” that they forget to enjoy the trip itself.
So, let’s sum up. Here are the basic principles of setting goals that will help you reach them faster and easier:
1. Structure your goals according to the most important spheres of life, for example, health, finances, relationships, emotions.
2. Write down the goals in the appropriate sections.
3. Set goals that inspire you personally. Do not try to live up to someone else’s expectations or deserve someone’s approval.
4. Specify goals using the SMART formula.
5. If the goal scares you with its globality, focus on the process, not on the end result.
6. Do not try to do everything on your own, attract people that will help you reach your goals.
7. Occasionally review your list of goals and make adjustments.
8. Celebrate your achievements, even intermediate results.