Do you want to know why less than 3% of the people in the world set goals and actually achieve them? “I don’t know how.” Yes, there is an art to setting goals and it’s not taught until we’re adults! But learning the art of goal setting will change your life. I know, that sounds like a tired old cliche, but it’s simple – if you don’t know what you want, how can you ever get it? Here’s a short lesson on the art of goal-setting: 1. DREAM BIG. You know, deep inside, what your ideal life looks like. Your dream is there, probably buried under a whole mountain of “reality.” Take some time to write down everything you want to have – everything you want to be – and everything you want to do. Go wild with this! If you don’t plant the seed of possibility, you can be guaranteed that you’ll never reap the fruits. And who’s to say that a tiny seed you plant won’t grow? 2. SLEEP ON IT. Let your list lie dormant for a day, or two, or a week. But think about the things you’ve written. When you come back to the list it’s with a simple question, the same question for each goal: Why? Why do I want this? If you can’t come up with a reason that makes sense to YOU, cross it off. 3. On the goals that are still left on your list, dig deeper to identify the real reason you want it:
- Is it really MY goal? Don’t want something just because your neighbors have it. Or because some celebrity is it. Or because your family wants you to do it. Want it because YOU want it.
- Is it in alignment with the higher good? In other words, is it the right thing to do?
- Is it consistent with my other goals? Are they all taking you in the same general direction, or are they pulling you in opposite directions?
- Can I commit to finishing this goal? Can I see it through to success?
- Can I visualize myself having reached this goal?
If you can answer “yes” to all of these, it’s a worthy goal. Otherwise, cross it off the list.
You’ve narrowed your list to a few important goals. Now narrow it further, to identify the chosen few, the golden goals that really make your heart sing. 4. Dig even deeper for each goal. Will this goal improve your life, the lives of others, and will it make a difference in the world? Don’t feel bad if the Wave Runner isn’t something “that makes a difference in the world” – you’re allowed to have goals that are purely for pleasure (because in purchasing a “toy” you are benefiting the people who sold it, who manufactured it, who designed it, etc.). Essentially, does the goal make you feel good on many levels? 5. Take your goals, no matter their size or scope, and MAKE THEM SPECIFIC. Get down to the little details. Are you still passionate about them? It’s better to have a few detailed, exquisitely thought-out goals than a brain-full of fuzzy dreams. 6. Prioritize your goals in terms of short-range, mid-range and long-range. The ideal situation is for your short-range goals to support your future goals. Some goals are small – they teach you discipline, they boost your confidence, they give you quick gratification. Some goals are the big carrots that get you to grow and reach your highest potential. You may have to juggle your goals, working on some here while letting others sit before returning to them. That’s the art of goal-ACHIEVING, and that’s where I recommend working with a goals coach to help you hone the process. ***Inspired by Zig Ziglar; blog found on www.goals2go.com