It’s a bit like a roadmap
When you are traveling to a location, you might use one of the online map services. These can serve as a analogy for creating a roadmap for your life. And, like using any good map, you need to decide where you want to go before you can decide how best to get there. That’s where the art of goalsetting comes in.
A few questions to consider
There are many areas in your life in which you might like to set goals. These could include finances, career, personal relationships, education, and health. Whatever your life goals, there are few things to consider in order to maximize your chances of success:
- Where are you now?
- Where do you want to be?
- How long do you think it will take to get where you want to go?
- Are there any significant barriers to getting to your destination? And, if there are…
- What other options do you have?
Once you have answered these questions, it’s time to structure each of your goals.
Be SMART about it
There are many goal-setting techniques out there but one that has stood the test of time and is often used for both personal and professional goal setting is called SMART.
SMART is an acronym that breaks out how to set goals effectively. SMART goals are ones that are:
S – Specific
M – Measurable
A – Achievable
R – Relevant
T – Time-bound
For example, if you are trying to get into better physical shape, your SMART goal may look like this:
I will walk (R) one kilometer (M) in my neighbourhood (S) three times a week (A) for the next two months (T).
Mix it up!
Your SMART goals should also be a mix of short-term and long-term goals. Short-term goals are important for motivation. When you see progress, it is encouraging and will help you move forward towards your larger and more long-term goals. It is also important to track your progress and celebrate milestones and successes along the way.
Set yourself up for success
You’ve probably heard the old saying, “Failing to plan, means planning to fail.” This saying has been allowed to live on to a ripe old age because it is 100% true. Whether it’s in your career or your personal life, setting SMART goals, tracking them, and celebrating your achievements along the way are what will move you forward towards success.
Additional reading:
- Healthdirect Australia. n.d. "Goal Setting." Accessed February 5, 2024. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/goal-setting.
- Ho, Leon. 2023. "What Is Goal Setting and Why Is It Important?." LifeHack. December 19, 2023. https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/goal-setting-the-why-behind-the-what.html.
- Porteous, Chris. 2023. "11 Reasons Why We Fail to Achieve Our Goals." LifeHack. August 10, 2023. https://www.lifehack.org/880259/why-we-fail-to-achieve-our-goals.
- Wooll, Maggie. 2022. "Moving toward your dreams or just moving? Yearly goals can help." Well-being (blog). Better Up. August 12, 2022. https://www.betterup.com/blog/yearly-goals-examples.
Disclaimer
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