The Top 10 Steps to Set and Achieve Your Goals – Every Time!
BY MR MTILA
It’s been said that everyone has goals, whether we know it or not. We
have goals to keep our current job, or to get a different one. We have
goals to save for the future, or to travel, take a vacation, or purchase
the things we need and want to make our lives more enjoyable. An
important distinction, however, is that top achievers are very
intentional and focused on their goals, while many of the rest of us are
not.
Top achievers know that the wording, structure, timing and format of a
goal can make it’s achievement much easier – or far more difficult. Top
achievers understand the basic skills for setting and reaching their
goals, every time! They know how to design goals that create success.
Here are the 10 most important steps to set and achieve your goals:
1. Reachable goals are SPECIFIC. Top achievers know
that to reach their goals, the brain must know exactly, precisely, what
they are trying to accomplish. Never word a goal with vague terms like
“some” or “a little bit”, or “more”. Be specific! If you want to lose 8
pounds and reach a weight of 175, specify those exact numbers. If you
want to save $200 this month, be exact. Your brain can help you
accomplish almost anything if it knows precisely what you are aiming
for.
2. Reachable goals are SIMPLE. Many people describe
their goals in complex terms of retiring on the beach in Hawaii, with
nice cars and lots of money, and…. Their list goes on and on. Any ONE of
those things is a great goal, but the combination becomes over whelming
and the brain gets confused. If you want to retire in Hawaii, just say
so! If you want to increase your sales by 10% this month, say so! Keep
your goals simple, clear, and focused.
3. Reachable goals are SIGNIFICANT. No one can
muster the enthusiasm, hard work and courage to reach a goal they don’t
really care about. A reachable goal is one you really, really, REALLY
want! It’s something that will change your life, enhance your health or
wealth, and make you proud. It gets your juices flowing, gets you up in
the morning, and keeps you going all day long, because it is important!
Set goals that are worth achieving!
4. Reachable goals are STRATEGIC. High achievers
know that the best goals accomplish many great outcomes, all at one
time. Running a 10K race will almost certainly: 1) feel great! 2) help
you lose weight. 3) lower your cholesterol level 4) strengthen your
heart 5) lower you risk of heart disease 6) increase your energy and
stamina, and 7) improve your outlook. Design your goals to strategically
impact as many areas of your life as possible. You’ll have more reasons
to reach your goal and more excitement when you do!
5. Reachable goals are MEASURABLE. A goal without a
measurable outcome is just a pipe-dream. You can’t achieve a pound of
“happiness” or 6 inches of “self-esteem”, but you CAN get a new job. You
CAN run a mile in under 7 minutes, or do 100 sit-ups. Someone has
wisely observed that, “What gets measured, gets done.” Define your goals
in terms of height, weight, dollars, inches, or hours. Then measure
your progress until you achieve your desired outcome.
6. Reachable goals are RATIONAL. To reach your goal,
you will need a plan, a path, and a vehicle for getting there. Your
goals must make sense! When you explain them to friends and family, your
goals should create excitement, draw support, and encouragement. Your
goals should be just out of reach, but not out of sight! You want to
stretch to be your best, not strain after impossible dreams. Set goals
you CAN and WILL achieve!
7. Reachable goals are TANGIBLE. Choose goals that
you can see, hear, smell or touch. Go for things you will enjoy and that
you can clearly visualize. The brain has hard time going for “financial
security”, but it can visualize a bank statement with nice, large
numbers on it! Define your goals in terms that excite the senses, then
go for it with all your heart!
8. Reachable goals are WRITTEN. High achievers
always know precisely what they want, because they’ve written it down.
Often, they write a short description of their goals every single
morning, as a personal reminder of their priorities and their
objectives. The act of writing your goals down vastly increases your
chance of success. Write it down! Then, keep your notes where you can
see and read them every day.
9. Reachable goals are SHARED. We are far more
likely to stick to our plan and reach our goals if we know our friends
and family support us. Being part of a team increases our determination,
our stamina, and our courage. Caution: Never share your goals with
anyone who may ridicule, tease or discourage you! The world is full of
doubters and you have no time for them. But, find a support team, a
group of cheerleaders, and a coach who will encourage you every step of
the way. High achievers count on and work with other winners!
10. Reachable goals are CONSISTENT WITH YOUR VALUES.
One of the biggest reasons people fail to achieve their goals is that
they have conflict between their behavior and their values. However,
when your values and your goals are in agreement, there is no stopping
you! Clarify your values first, then set simple, specific, measurable,
tangible, written goals that are consistent with those values. You will
achieve them, every single time
