Setting Your Goals Right

Last time, we talked about setting your goals and its importance towards having a successful future.

Today, I’m going to set you on the path of realizing those goals. I will do this by outlaying the simple process involved starting from setting your own goals to realizing those goals.

So if you are ready, without wasting any more of your time, let’s launch into the process now.

First, for a reminder…

What is a goal?

Let us simply define a goal as something (like a desire) you want to achieve. It can also be said to be at the score that results from doing something.

As humans, we all (should) have something we desire, something like an aspiration or ambition we want to achieve.

That very thing we desire, we aspire for, we want to be, we want to achieve, is the goal.

Our goals make us feel alive. Our goals give us every reason to keep trying to make ourselves better. Like I stated in the previous post, our goals gives our lives a meaning. Hence, to avoid living a purposeless life, it is very much advisable that we develop goals for ourselves.

Simply put, the goals we set always act as that internal driving force or motivation behind every action we take afterwards.

The process…

Everybody has desires or aspirations. What differentiates those who achieve their goals and those who don’t is the process.

The process simply means directing our efforts towards achieving those goals. Setting goals is not enough. These goals we set are not going to materialize by themselves. It falls on us as a duty to make such goals realistic and possible.

We have already identified goals as the end towards which efforts are directed. Next step is to set everything in motion. The starting point is making plans.

Making plans…

Planning your goals is very important because it will give you the big picture of what you are trying to accomplish.

It is often said that he who fails to plan, plans to fail. Therefore, for your goals to move beyond being just a mere wish, or desire, or just a dream, you will need a plan which will acts as a guide.

At this point, what comes to your mind should be the question of what exactly do I want?

What do I want?

You should be ready to satisfactorily provide the answers to yourself because no one knows your goals more than you, okay…?

Good.

So when you have searched yourself and probably you have found the answer/s, you then take a paper and pen and put it down in a very clear term.

"Put your goals in writing. If you can't put it on a sheet of paper, you probably can't do what it takes to achieve the goal." -Unknown

Like most things in life where planning is involved, it is always advisable to start making your goal setting plans by writing it down. When you write your goals down, automatically, it stops looking like a fantasy and starts looking very much real to you.

This reason for this is simply because by writing down your goals, you simply clarify your objectives or goals.

Moving on…

Now you are through with writing your goals down, your next step is to decide how you will proceed. It is important to note at this point that the goals you set MUST be realizable, achievable and very clear.

In addition, your set goals should be your own and not another person’s. Of course, you cannot live your life pursuing other people’s goals. It will be a complete waste of time, resources, and energy because you will be unfulfilled even if you have accomplished them.

This means that your goals have to do with areas that you are talented or gifted to function in.

But not to worry, don’t lose hope if you feel you are incapacitated in any way because even if you are not, you can still acquire those skills necessary to achieve your goals.

In fact, it is even advisable to always find a way to challenge yourself in your efforts towards realizing your goals and acquiring new skills is one of such ways.

Yes, challenging yourself is always an interesting part of realizing your goals. Sometimes, some people make the mistake of choosing very simple and easily realizable goals but in the process, they miss out from the benefits derived from choosing those goals that may appear to be pretty much very tasking but with greater yield.

My point is: the more challenging your goals are; the more fulfilled you are going to feel at the end of the whole process.

Goals that work…

Finally, let me now give you a little heads up on the types of goals that work.

You see, for your goals to come to fruition, your set goals should cover every area of your life: academic, social, relationship and financial, etc.

A broader view of all the possible goals you can achieve will almost certainly help you in deciding the goals you can achieve plus a clearer view of where you can start from starting from the simplest to the hardest.

Furthermore, it is very important to note that your set goals should tell who you are. In other words, it should also align with your personality, with who your friends are, with the movies you watch, with the books you read, with how you spend your time and who you spend it with, and so on...

In conclusion, for you to have a fulfilled or successful in life you need to set and achieve your goals. Respect always comes to people who achieve their goals. They become something like an icon or inspiration to those who may be battling with achieving their own goals and living a fulfilled life themselves.

People who fail to set their goals never achieve much in life and do not earn respect from others because they are seen as failures.

Hence, if you do not want to be seen as a failure, then start planning your goals now!

Like the saying goes, make hay while the sun shines. So, roll up your sleeves and get down to work. Set your goals today. Then start working on making your goals a reality asap. Don’t falter.

Stick to your goals. That's persistence. Don’t forget that success is guaranteed ONLY to those who stick to their goals so don’t falter. Convince yourself that you can do it you if you want to.

Oh yes.

Remember, the only thing standing between you and where you want to be in life is YOU!