How to Set Goals that will Help You to Achieve Success.

Setting goals can be powerful - if you create and pursue them in a smart way.   

The benefits of goal-setting can be powerful.  They can help you to:  

Benefits of Goal Setting!

The benefits of goal-setting can be powerful.  They can help you to: 

ACCELERATE YOUR PROGRESS!
Turn your vision into specific goals.
Motivate you to find and use the best ways to succeed.
Provide you with clarity.
Inspire you.
Focus and improve your decision-making.
Provide you with accountability.

The Flipside of Goals!

The disadvantages of goals

The negative side of goal setting includes:

Too many fail, get discouraged and give up.
Most don't create a system to help them succeed.
They don't understand the actions and variables that lead to success.
They set artificial benchmarks and measures that have little impact.
For those that achieve their goals, success can be an anti-climax.

The Power of Systems + Goals!

Goal System Importance

The system is a set of things that help you to succeed.  If you planned to lose weight, your system might include:

A smart weight-loss strategy and action plan.
Low-calorie recipe book.
Calorie and exercise tracking app.
Access to a gym.
Quality weight scales at home.
Replacement of junk food with healthy food options at home.
A person you can share your progress with.

You Decide to Set a SMART Goal!

You decide to set a SMART goal because you believe it can lead to better results.

So, what is SMART?

SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound.

Specific

Your goal should be specific. In other words, it should be precise with no room for misinterpretation.

You stand on a scale and you weigh 240 pounds. You know what your ideal weight should be – so you set a goal. Your specific goal is to get down to 210 pounds.

Measurable

Your goal should be specific. In other words, it should be precise with no room for misinterpretation.

You stand on a scale and you weigh 240 pounds. You know what your ideal weight should be – so you set a goal. Your specific goal is to get down to 210 pounds.

Achievable

You want your goal to be doable so you keep the enthusiasm to achieve it.

You could set a goal of losing 15 lbs. per week.

Considering how little you could eat and how much exercise you'd need to do, and the health risks, you conclude it's a bad idea.

Losing 1.5 lbs. on average per week seems achievable to you.

Relevant

How is this goal in line with your vision? Or, how relevant and important is it to you?

Being fit and healthy will help you to accomplish more, feel better, and live longer. So it is very important to you.

Time-Bound

You don’t want your goal of losing weight to drag on forever.

If you lose 1.5 lbs. per week that would be 30 lbs. in 20 weeks – and get you down to 210 lbs.

So from there, you choose your start date and your end date.

So your summary SMART Goal is:

To reduce my weight from 240 to 210 lbs starting from 1/1/23 to 5/21/23, and to lose 1.5 lbs on average per week. Now, that is SMART!

When Should You Set SMART Goals?

Goal Setting - Rocket Launch

When you understand and have access to data to measure progress and outcomes.

When you understand what actions are needed to succeed.

And, when you are committed and determined to succeed.

When Should You Set a General Focus Goal?

A general focus goal is a goal without a measure. It is a direction or focus area you will head towards.

Examples of when you'd use this:

You are in discovery mode.
You don't understand yet what actions will lead to results.
Your goal is more qualitative and hard to measure.

For instance, let's say your goal is to become more compassionate.

In this case, you could define the characteristics, habits, and actions of compassionate people you look up to, define your plan and habits, and religiously follow through.

When You Set a Goal, Don't Forget Your System!

With all your goals, don't forget to define and put in place - a system to help you to achieve the goal.

How to Set Goals that will Help You to Achieve Success.