This article is about goal setting activities that can help you in achieving your goals.
All my life I have set goals. However, I’m not too sure how aware I was about the actual activities I was doing or which ones I was even applying.
All I knew was that once I had set my mind on a goal, I went about achieving it.
As I became older and life became more hectic, it became more necessary to start getting into the habit of goal setting activities.
The reason for this was because when we keep things stored in our minds, they have a tendency to get buried deep into the midst of our minds or in some cases, forgotten.
Setting and achieving goals boils down to the consistency in which you apply some or all of the goal setting activities that I am going to outline shortly.
As you read and absorb these goal setting activities think about your current methods. The one’s that you use and how often you do them.
Where you find a gap in terms of consistency and/or with the goal setting activities that you undertake, seek to fill it with the suggested activities here. Remember, consistent disciplined action is key in setting and achieving goals.
1. Think About What You REALLY Want.
This isn’t the time to be shy or place limitations upon yourself. By limitations I mean, not contemplating whether or not you feel it’s possible to achieve or not. Do not doubt yourself.
Albert Einstein once said: “Imagination is better than knowledge.”
It’s important that you ‘dream up’ and imagine what you really want out of life.
Write down a list of things that you would like to achieve. Places you would like to visit and see. Activities that you would love to do. Things you would like to acquire etc.
Don’t think about whether or not you can achieve them right now. Just dream, dream BIG. Imagine it, picture it and write it all down.
The only questions you should ask yourself at this stage are:
“What would I do if failure was not an option?”
“What would I acquire if money was not an issue?”
“Where would I love to travel, what places would I love to see?”
These type of questions get you to dream and dream big without limitations. Keep asking yourself questions.
2. Think WHY.
I am often reminded of the most powerful question when I’m around young children. That question is WHY?
When a child asks you a question and you give them an answer, they usually assault you with a barrage of ‘why’s’.
“Why this, Why that, But why?” (In a child like innocent voice!)
I must confess, there have been occasions when I have found that annoying, wouldn’t you agree?:-) But there is certainly a lesson to be learned from children, not forgetting we were once kids ourselves.
Why do you want that goal or dream that you’re professing? What will it do for you and your life? How will it enrich your life and/or the life of others?
How will you feel once you’ve achieved it? Is it really what you want or is it the feeling it will give you that is the goal?
Usually, you find that what people want is not actually the goal itself but the feeling they get from accomplishing the goal.
Constantly ask yourself why until you’re almost annoyed with yourself like when a child always asks me why:-)
It is usually at this point where your truest or root answer lies. Underneath all the layers and superficial reasons given initially. ‘WHY’ yourself out until you really get to the bottom of your real WHY.
3. Read Books & Material On Goal Setting.
There are various techniques and methods to goal setting. Some are more effective than others, yielding you better results. This can vary from person to person.
In short, find what works for you and stick with it.
If you’re new to goal setting activities then I would recommend you read various personal development books on setting and achieving goals. This will give you a basis in which to work from.
Reading for 30 minutes a day will go a long way! However, just as important is to apply what you’ve learned.
4. Listen To Audio Programs.
Similar to books, there are audio programs that provide excellent value.
A benefit of using audio is that you can upload them to your personal MP3 or iPod and listen to them whilst at the gym, travelling to and from work, around the house or even in the car.
I prefer audio programs than books because I feel I understand and learn better that way but I usually do combine the two to reinforce my understanding.
5. Think On Paper – Write Your Goals Down.
I once heard a phrase “A blunt pencil remembers more than a sharp mind.”
This is an excellent way to view your goal setting activities.
I usually develop my goals initially in my head. In fact I give birth to every goal of mine in my head! However, when I do set my mind on my goal(s) I write them down.
This is because ideas, goals and plans do and will slip your mind at some point and if you don’t have something to remind you it’s gone forever.
Develop the habit of writing your goals in a notepad or a journal and review them regularly.
This can be daily, weekly, monthly or even quarterly. The main thing is that your consistent with which ever way you choose.
Keep your goals in front of you so you’re reminded regularly because as I first mentioned, you may have a sharp mind but you will forget. However, your pen will never let you down.
6. Read & Review Your Goals Regularly.
Well, I just said this in goal setting activity 5, but I’ll say it again.
“Review your goals regularly.”
Some people do this daily whilst others do it weekly, monthly and even quarterly.
I personally review my goals weekly but that’s not set in stone. I may review them 3-4 times in one week and then 1-2 the next.
But I at least do once a week. The main thing here is that you set a regular time for this activity.
Doing this has another benefit, it helps boost self-motivation.
7. Visualisation – Picture Perfect.
This technique is a very powerful. The phrase: A picture is worth a thousand words springs to mind.
When you spend quiet time alone, without distraction and disturbances and you begin to visualise your goals and what it would be and feel like to achieve and live it, your goals take on a new life of its own.
Often when I have quiet time alone or I’m meditating, I close my eyes, sometimes with tranquil sounds in the background and I feel my spirit get uplifted. This usually helps me to build momentum and motivation to take action on my goals, eliminating procrastination in the process.
8. Compile A Progress Chart.
Do you remember when you were in school (primary or secondary) what your teacher rewarded you with when you made small steps of improvement and progress? Your teacher would give you a gold star
or a smiley face, making you feel empowered to do and achieve more.
It usually made you feel great inside but also made others proud of you.
Amazingly, this works in adulthood too!
For example, let’s say you’ve set a goal to lose 10 lbs in 8 weeks and you attend the gym regularly, say 3 times a week. Why not after each session give yourself a gold star, smiley face or even a tick every time you attend.
The fact is when you attend each session, each step is a small step to the overall achievement of your goal. You should acknowledge yourself and it should be visually enforced to you.
Make a chart that you will see everyday or even use a calendar. Place ticks, smiley faces, gold stars or any other positive emotion that will symbolise your progress of how far you’ve come and how far you’ve got left. This is a very powerful tool.
9. Index Cards.
These are what I call ‘mobile’ reminders. Carry index cards (3 x 5) with your goals on them and whenever you need reminding of WHY you’re doing what you’re doing, you can have a quick look at your ‘mobile’ reminders.
This is also another good way of keeping your goals in front of you. You may not look at them all the time but at least they’re there for you when you need them.
Besides, you wont throw them away, that would be throwing your goals away (literally).;-)
10. Tell A Friend.
Do you have to? No, not really but it helps. If you have a trusted friend, who supports you no matter what, it would be a good idea to get them on your team.
By this I mean, a supporter. When you’re low, they pick you up, encourage you and remind you of your WHY and that it’s important not to quit.
Don’t have a friend you can trust? I am always willing to listen to your goals. Feel free to share them with me and I will support you the best way I can.
Goal Setting Activities Conclusion.
The above goal setting activities are good habits to get into. If you haven’t got your goals written down, do so right now.
“A goal without a plan is just a wish.”
Use these goal setting activities to keep your goals in front of you at all times. To motivate and inspire you and remind you of your mission and purpose.
Remember all things are possible for those who choose to believe it and who go the extra mile.
You ain’t gotta see it to believe it, but you gotta believe it to see it.
Now go out there and achieve those goals.
Marvin Barrett is a Relationship Guidance Coach, Writer and Speaker who helps men and women to understand relationships and each other better. He also helps people with other self-development areas like self esteem and self confidence. You can discover more excellent tips and strategies on how you can improve your relationships, self belief, self confidence and self esteem at:
http://www.dating-tips-that-coach-women.com
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