Golden Rules of Goal Setting

Unleashing the power of goal setting is not a secret art, but a science. Discover the golden rules that transform dreams into reality, and ambitions into achievements. Let's delve into the principles that can guide you to success.

If you want to succeed, you need to set goals

Goal setting not only allows you to take control of your life’s direction but also provides you a benchmark for determining whether you are actually succeeding

A million dollars in the bank is only proof of success if one of your goals is to amass riches
If your goal is to practice acts of charity then keeping the money for yourself is suddenly contrary to how you would define success

Set SMART Goals

For goals to be powerful, they should be SMART

Set Measurable Goals

Include precise amounts, dates, and so on in your goals so you can measure your degree of success

Without a way to measure your success you miss out on the celebration that comes with knowing you have actually achieved something
Don’t be afraid to celebrate when you achieve your goals

Frame your goal statement positively

If you want to improve your retention rates say, “I will hold on to all existing employees for the next quarter”

Set Goals That Motivate You

Motivation is key to achieving goals

Set goals that relate to the high priorities in your life
Goal achievement requires commitment
To maximize the likelihood of success, you need to feel a sense of urgency and have an “I must do this” attitude
If you don’t have this, you risk putting off what needs to be done to make the goal a reality

Tip 2: If you use a to-do list, make yourself a To-Do List template that has your goals at the top of it

Post your goals in visible places to remind yourself every day of what it is you intend to do

Put them on your walls, desk, computer monitor, bathroom mirror or refrigerator

Tip: To make sure that your goal is motivating, write down why it is valuable and important to you.

Ask yourself, “If I were to share my goal with others, what would I tell them to convince them it was a worthwhile goal?”

This motivating value statement can help you if you start to doubt yourself or lose confidence in your ability to actually make the goal happen.

Set Goals in Writing

The physical act of writing down a goal makes it real and tangible. You have no excuse for forgetting about it.

Make an Action Plan

You get so focused on the outcome that you forget to plan all of the steps that are needed along the way.

Stick With It!

Goal setting is an ongoing activity, not just a means to an end

Set reminders to keep yourself on track
Make regular time-slots available to review your goals
Your end destination may remain similar over the long term, but the action plan you set for yourself along the way can change significantly

Set Specific Goals

Vague or generalized goals are unhelpful

Set Attainable Goals

Make sure that it’s possible to achieve the goals you set.

Resist the urge to set goals that are too easy
Accomplishing a goal that you didn’t have to work hard for can be anticlimactic at best, and can also make you fear setting future goals that carry a risk of non-achievement