What Is Effective Goal Setting? ———- Most experts in goal setting agree that the way in which you set your goals determines their effectiveness. There are a number of guidelines that you can use to make your goal setting more beneficial.
First, be sure and make your goals a positive statement. Key in on what you want, not what you don’t want. This may look as if it is an obvious statement; however, many of us unconsciously focus on what we don’t want. When this occurs we give our energy to the wrong result.
Second, be as precise and as specific as you can be when goal setting. Decide on dates and times that you plan on Completing your goal. If you are focusing on a money goal, then make sure you state the exact amount you are focused on achieving.
Categorize your goals into small steps that are plausible and reachable. If your goals are too big, you will tend to become disheartened. Setting small achievable steps will have the effect of building momentum and pushing you toward your end goal. A wise person once said: You can only eat a hamburger one bite at a time and taking big bites can make you choke.
Next, be sure and prioritize your goals. Having too many goals takes the focus off your important goals. We can successfully focus on one objective at a time. This doesn’t mean you can not have many goals. This means that it is best to keep the number of goals small and manageable. In this way we can devote our energy to one goal at a time and not become weighed down.
In goal setting, don’t be scared to adjust your goals as you go along. This doesn’t mean you are failing. Things happen and we often face complications we didn’t plan on when working on our goals. Examine how you feel about your goals at that point. If some of them have become less meaningful and desired, then drop them and focus on the most important objectives. Be flexible with yourself, but, at the same time, keep your eye on your final prize.
One of the most powerful acts in goal setting is making a list. The very act of writing down your objectives supplies a unconscious connection to our brains. It helps make our goals more real and attainable. Some goal setting experts support writing down your goals every day. This reinforces the goals. Try for yourself and see if it works for you.
Finally, your goal setting and achieving should be fun and enjoyable. If your goals become labor, then you need to reexamine them. Effective goal setting should bring joy into your life and make your life a journey.
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