Goal Setting - "Goal! What does this word mean to you?"

by Startacus Admin

Goal! What does this word mean to you?

One definition of Goal: An observable and measurable end result having one or more objectives to be achieved within a more or less fixed timeframe. 

A goal is something to accomplish, achieve, attain, meet, pursue, reach, realise, set and exceed.

Goals are what we set ourselves, we plan for these, we strive to reach our goals or do we? When you set a goal does this word turn you off? Does it put undue pressure upon you? We all need to work toward something to improve who we are, what we do and how we live. Is a dream or aspiration not the same as a goal? Why is it people have dreams and never make them happen and yet they set goals and work toward them sometimes achieving sometimes failing. Do you aspire to be or achieve the same things that you set as a goal? The end result is surely the same outcome.

Many people set themselves goals at work, personally, health and so on. Quite often the goals are set too high and this can create a deterrent to achieve the desired outcome. The result can be a sense of failure when really it was a success but the goal was set unreasonably high.

Often small goals are more productive, more attainable, that said it is not a bad thing to have big goals, simply break them down into smaller bite size chunks. You can monitor growth, development, improvement, positive outcomes, enhance motivation and inspire further drive to reach the ultimate goal. Achieving small goals makes the bigger goal seem more touchable.

A goal is something that we set for the future, whether that is in 1 day, a week, a month, 1 year, 5 years and so on, we have no control over the future but we do control today so what if we labelled the goal as a working project. Considering that a project is current, it is not happening in the future it is happening now, the project enables us to work toward our goal but somehow changing the word to project seems like it will happen, the goal will be reached.

For example: You want to lose weight. The goal you set, lose 2 stone in 6 months. Is this achievable? A bit scary and daunting possibly. However, if you plan that your weight loss project will enable you to lose 2lbs per week this seems more doable. Changing your mindset will give you more incentive to achieve your goal and by breaking the large goal into smaller pieces will actually see you finish your project, achieve your goal in less time 14 weeks to be precise instead of 26 weeks. This will allow you a few hiccups along the way

Or

Your goal is to have a successful business with a turnover of £5m within 3 years.

Brilliant goal.... How are you going to get there?

This maybe telling you how to suck eggs! When we are in a situation we can’t always see what needs to be done to create improvements, growth and development.

You know what your goal is, have you got your project in place? Have you planned your journey? Do you need employees, partners, and premises? How are you going to attract new customers and retain your current customers, will your employees help you reach your goal, will you be an employer of choice, retain your staff this will reflect on your customers opinions, your investors, stakeholders, financers and ultimately your goal. Can you visualise your goal, taste it, feel it, hear it and believe it is happening? Or do you close your eyes and see just darkness.

Activity:

Do you know what you really want?

Take some time, consider the following and write down your plan create a project to achieve your goals:
Short term vision 7, 30 and 90 days plan
Medium vision 1-5 years
Long term 5 year plus

If you know what you really want you can plan what you need to get to the goal.


Activity:
Take some time and write down 50 things you want. When you have done that go through each one and decide:
1- Is this really what I want or was I just trying to fill the gaps
2 - Ask yourself is this a short, medium or long term goal
3 - Choose 5 from each category and make these your priority, decide how committed you to getting them.

By Joanne Bushby

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Published on: 18th December 2012