Introduction.
Just as a Sailor has a map when he sets out on a voyage, in the same way it is important for us to have a proper map before we set out on the journey of life. In most walks of life this seems to be true, consider an architect going ahead with a building without a proper blueprint in place, things would turn out to be a disaster. So planning and setting goals is paramount if we want to be successful in life.
What are Goals ?
Goals help us to set our objectives and helps us move towards accomplishing various human needs like Financial needs ( To be debt free, save for retirement and so on), Emotional needs ( Have better relationships, better family bonding), Physical needs (Staying fit, exercising regularly, losing weight), Spiritual needs ( Connecting with the higher power, doing charitable works).
So an example of a financial goal could be, “I want to be debt free by 31st of December” , or a Physical goal could be, “I want to lose 20 pounds by Christmas”.
Why is Goal Setting Important ?
Goals give you a roadmap or direction towards reaching your desired outcome in life. Goals keeps you committed and focused, so you always know what you are aiming for. This helps you accomplish tasks easily and be less overwhelmed.
What are the types of Goals ?
Goals could be Short Term, which could range from 3-6 months to 1 year. Medium Term, which could be any where from 2 – 5 years. Finally Long Term, which could be anywhere in the range from 10 – 20 years. So basically all your goals will fall into one of these 3 categories.
What are the Components of a Goal?
Goals should be
Specific
This means the goal must be clear and unambiguous.
Measurable
If a goal cannot be measured, it is not possible to determine whether you are making progress towards its successful completion.
Attainable
It means goals that are realistic and not impossible.
Relevant
It is important to choose goals that matter. Ask yourself the question is this goal worthwhile?
Time Bound
Set a deadline or a target date for completing a goal.
How can I set Goals ?
The first step towards goal setting is to identify the area in which you would like to set your goal. This could be Financial, Emotional, Physical or Spiritual. Now write down your goals in each of these areas you choose. Keep writing down all goals you would like to accomplish in each of these four sections till you have a long list.
Now identify your Short, Medium and Long Term Goals. After this shortlist your most important Short, Medium and Long term goals. If you have set very big goals it might be a better idea to divide bigger goals into smaller manageable sub goals.
For any goal to be a success, it is essential to ask the key question why is this goal important for me. List down all the reasons below each of your goals why is that goal really important for you. This process gives you the passion or inner drive, which is the fuel that steers you towards reaching your goal.
Next, set specific deadlines for your goals. Goals without deadlines seldom get accomplished. Finally, revisit your Goals on a regular basis. This helps to keep you on track towards accomplishing your goal.
How can I stay motivated when I start to pursue my goal?
When your Goals are enormous in size, it is normal that after working on your goals for a few days you may lose interest, and may consider quitting.
The best way to overcome Goal fatigue is to divide your goals into smaller sub goals or milestones. This helps you to accomplish your smaller sub goals much easily and when you accomplish a milestone you feel motivated. It is a good idea to celebrate achieving milestone, consider rewarding yourself on achieving a milestone, this could be as simple as going out for a movie or going to your favorite restaurant.
Another good strategy to keep yourself motivated is to work with like minded people, for example if you workout at a gym, you could consider having a gym partner. This not only keeps you more accountable towards your goal, but also your peer group can give you valuable tips and insights, which can help you reach your goals much faster.
Conclusion.
Just as the old saying goes, “If we fail to plan, we plan to fail”, it is very important for each one of us to set goals in our life and take action to accomplish each set goal.