It can be done!
Contributed by Barbara Walker, PhD
We all have goals. What are yours? Get in shape, find a new job, or just get a better life outlook? Having a goal is the easy part. Achieving your goal, on the other hand, can be quite difficult. But it doesn’t have to be! As a performance psychologist, I teach my clients the importance of proper goal setting. That’s right! It’s not enough to just set a goal. You must also have a plan.
First and foremost, take the time needed to really think about what you want to achieve. In other words, come up with your own personal mission statement. Then follow the goal setting process:
Step 1: Define your goal
Step 2: Know where you are right now
Step 3: Be honest about what you need to develop
Step 4: Make a plan for daily improvement
Step 5: Set and pursue short term goals
Step 6: Commit yourself completely
Step 7: Continually monitor progress
Real goals are worth writing down
I believe writing down your goal forces you to clarify what you really want to achieve and motivates you to take action. I encourage my clients to break their bigger goals into smaller performance objectives so that each step is measurable. Finally, you can’t achieve a goal overnight. It takes time and energy, but the reward is worth it.
