Goal Setting: Part 1 The Formula

Goal setting; thousands of books and millions of articles have been written about the benefits of setting goals. Great achievements are the result of goals established and reached and very few can say that they don’t know about goals and even fewer still, can say they don’t believe goals are important. So why then are there so many that continue to move through life drifting without clearly defined goals? Why are there so many of us who fail repeatedly to achieve that which we say we desire most.

Well, many reasons can be cited, however much of the reasoning will come down to this; goals are about change. Change requires work, and effective goal setting requires self examination and decisions, which is work. So, recognizing my own growth and proficiency in the area of goal setting, I can honestly say two things definitely:

1. Over the years I have set short, medium and long range goals. Many I have reached, some I’ve missed (in a few cases missed horribly) and others I am still in pursuit of. With my goal setting experience, I know how to get results and I spend less time and effort chasing things that look good to me but on a deeper level I really don’t want.
2. While I teach what I know, I remain a student to those who have mastered the techniques of goal setting and continue to share their knowledge with those of us who desire to become more successful and effective in our personal lives.

I encourage those serious about goal setting to Google the following individuals and investigate their work. I have studied them and read many of the books they have written: ZiZ Ziglar, Stephen Covey, Anthony Robbins, Brian Tracy, David Allen and Jim Rohn. All of these men are best selling authors and all have achieved great personal success through effective goal setting.

In this three-part series on goal setting I will be sharing what I have gleaned from them and what has worked for me.

Part 1: The formula

All you need before you begin setting goals is to have an understanding about the process of effectively doing so. Effective goal setting involves the following:

1. Deciding what you want to accomplish.
2. Determining what you need to know to achieve the goal, including the skills that may need to be developed as well as information that must be obtained.
3. Selecting any people necessary for the completion of the goal.
4. Determine any barriers to overcome.
5. Establish a specific time frame for completion.
6. Clarify why you are pursuing the goal.
7. Create a plan of action.

The wording may vary but the content is the same; this is the system presented by every goal setting guru. It has been tested and works in the same way an accurate map does; when followed it will get you to your destination every time. Before you make a move, read over and consider the formula. It works the same way for financial, career, physical, or any other area of your life. People interested in achievement will at some point stop drifting and take control of their lives. Effective goal setting will get you anywhere you want to go.

Wisdom from the grind: Learn the formula for success and execute.

Next week: Part 2: Getting Clarity