By Brad Hardie
Chart a course and then revise
Take some time to think about the goals that you would like to accomplish. Be clear and make sure they are really the ones that you desire. Research and learn as much about them as you can. Three months from now your goals may look very different than they did from the beginning. Be flexible so that you can alter and rearrange goals that no longer work for you and be open to new ones.
Pen to paper
Write our goals down. Studies show that goals are better realized when you actually set a pen to paper. You breathe life into your ideas and make them more tangible. Being able to review a list is helpful in deciding what we really want to pursue.
Scale the goal
When setting a new goal make sure it is something that you are genuinely interested in. If you are unsure about a goal then scale the goal from one to 10, one being I really have no interest in this and 10 being Lets rock this. If the goal falls anywhere below an eight then I suggest you do one of two things: decide how you can make it closer to a 10, or look at whether its really worth pursuing.
Be realistic
Taking on goals that you know you simply cannot succeed at will only prevent you from accomplishing the ones you can. Keep your list manageable; dont make it unreasonably large or daunting. Having a long list of things you want to accomplish may look impressive but can start to feel so daunting that none of the goals get completed.
Timing is everything
When looking at your goals, consider when they will start and when they will finish. If you set goals with no timeline, then chances are they may never happen. I encourage clients to use their calendars and fill out several days, weeks or months at a time. It is amazing when you have an idea of what you are doing and when, how much easier the task can seem to accomplish.
Assume the position
To succeed at something, you have to commit to it entirely and assume the position. As children, we could easily become anything we desired by simply visualizing it with few restrictions. As adults, we have to exercise our inner child more and be open to possibility. For instance, I tell clients if you want to be a great cook, then you must act, talk and channel cooking as if you are a great cook!
Divide and conquer
Prioritize. It is best to start with smaller things that will help build momentum. For instance if your list includes clean desk top as one of the items, and clean bedroom as another, then build momentum by doing your smaller task first, and moving to the larger task second.
Get a different perspective
When setting goals that seem daunting, try taking on a new perspective. Ask others how they have accomplished similar goals or how they are working toward accomplishing them. Being open to opinions can save you loads of time and actually give you insight into faster completion of your own goals.
Celebrate
When you have accomplished a goal, before setting off on the next one, make sure to celebrate what you have done. It may be as simple as a coffee break or as elaborate as a dinner out. Completing a goal and being rewarded for it will establish positive reinforcement, which makes it more likely for you to continue working down your list.
Brad Hardie is a business and life consultant, strategist and associate certified coach at Nextstep Communication, contributing to the well-being and self-improvement of businesses and individuals for over 20 years. Next-Step.ca
