Goal Setting
A Real Plan on How to Set Goals

We have all seen this goal setting poster somewhere. It serves as a kick in the ass and it is so damn true.

Most people spend more time planning a wedding then they do planning their lives. Which is more important? Wait, don't answer that!

Let's try it this way. When people decide to build a house, they have to have a plan, some blueprints to start with. Changes can be made along the way if there is something they do not like or something they want to add.

What about the "blueprints" for the life that you envision for yourself? Do you have a plan? Do you ever look at your career or your life and think to yourself, "How on earth did I get here?"

Was it a mistake that you have ended up where you did? Did you take a wrong turn somewhere? Maybe yes, maybe no. Certain choices were made along the way that led you to where you are now.

Unfortunately for a lot of folks, those choices are made rather haphazardly without any thought as to where they will lead. During a job interview, have you ever had this one come at you, "Where do you see yourself in five years?"

You know that question is coming. It is a fastball right down the middle and yet a lot of people swing wildly and miss.

Wouldn't it be nice to pull out a piece of paper and say, "Well actually here is my plan for the next year or two and then I'll revaluate and set some new goals." Maybe you have thought of starting a home based business, or buying an income property. But have you done it?

Get a plan together. I have been involved with public education for a number of years and it saddens me that a person can probably go through their entire school career and never be taught anything about effective goal setting.

First of all, where do you want to be and second how can you make it happen? Certain sacrifices have to be made along the way and people have a hard time with that.

If you want eighty per cent or higher in a particular course you can't be watching television every night of the week for hours on end. Sacrifice.

If you want to lose a pound per week you have to give up foods that are high in calories, sugar and fat. Sacrifice.

Goal Setting Excuses

Another reason people give for not setting goals is that they are afraid of making a mistake. Teddy Roosevelt once said,

"In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing."

So let me ask you, is the life you are living or the career you have a mistake? Answer it! Yes or no. This may seem a bit harsh, but we need those tough questions to force ourselves into action. Okay, now let's get down to it then shall we. Here are some goal setting guidelines.

A goal is specific.

It is detailed and it is measurable. If you are asked whether or not you have achieved a goal the answer is yes or no.

Also goals should be written down. People who do this are ten times as likely to follow through with a plan of action to attain their goals. Write you goal as if it has already happened. If you write your goals as happening in the future that is where they will always be.

Goal setting needs to be attended to like every other activity.

It is great that you are reading this article, but if that is all you do then you have wasted your time. Knowledge is not power.

The implementation of knowledge and making it work for you is power. So get out a piece of paper and put your goals down so you can see them. Tell others about them. If you communicate your goals with someone else you become more accountable to follow through.

Goal setting and follow through take a sharp mind.

So many people are just coasting through live. Ships without a sail. They talk a good game. They say things like, "If an apartment building comes on the market I'll buy it", or "if a job comes up in this department, I'll apply." But when those opportunities present themselves, they do not have a plan.

They look at people more successful then themselves and think, "wow some people have all the luck". Waiting for something to inspire you and hoping that the perfect outcome will just fall into your lap is nothing but a fantasy. Clarity is a choice, not an accident or a gift. Clarity doesn't come to you -- you have to go to it.

Clear goal setting will help you see the forest through the trees.

Some things may not go according to plan and that is okay. You may decide that you need to reassess your goals if you are not going in the direction you had planned for and sit down for another goal setting session.

I feel that goal setting should tie into our core values. What is important to you?

At the end of today ask yourself if you would live the day the same if you could do it over. What might you do differently?

Having clear goals will help to decide if an opportunity is worth your attention or if it is a waste of time.

On the eve of his death, Walt Disney had a reporter crawl into bed with him so he could share his vision for Disney World, six years before its completion.

When Disney World finally opened, another reporter commented to Walt's brother, Roy, "It's too bad Walt did not live to see this." Roy replied, "Walt saw it first. That's why we are seeing it now."

So get out your paper and get started on planning your life. Now.

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