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Create Greater Success with Effective Goal Setting

Written by: Anne Bachrach

Article Overview: It's easy to set your goals, even if you have never done it or not done it much before. Then why don't many people actually write down their goals? Let's not consider why others don't do something that will have a positive impact on their life; instead, let's just begin with setting our goals and working on a plan to achieving our goals so we can enjoy the kind of life we want.

Create Greater Success with Effective Goal Setting

It's relatively easy to set your goals, even if you have never done it or not done it much before. You start by breaking down a broad mission a dream into workable smaller parts. You begin by writing down your broad mission and dream goals so you can create goals today that will put you on the path of achieving these long-range goals. Put a specific date by each goal that represents when you would like to have it achieved. The more short-term goals you create, the better, because it will fill you with more confidence as you achieve them on your road to even greater success. Keep in mind that just writing all your professional and personal goals out on paper is not exactly a great accomplishment, in itself. True, by thinking your plan through this far you have already done more than the average dreamer out there. Thinking is not exactly doing though, is it? What really matters, and what will make you ultimately successful in life, is taking action.

This is why it's important to write down your goals with specific target dates for completion. When you do this, it will help you actually accomplish your goals. When you accomplish your short-term goals you know that you are on the path to achieving your long-range goals. How would you feel to know this? How would it feel to know that you are more consistently achieving your goals?

Fulfilling Your Goals

How can you write a plan when you don't know the future? Make no mistake about it: life isn't always fair, and you can rest assured that things will probably not go your way at least once or twice. I simply call this, 'life happens.' Why does this happen? It may not be due to any mistake on your part. Sometimes you have to plan for the unpredictable element. You cannot predict the future, so attempting to determine the outcome of your every endeavor might leave you feeling disappointed. Instead, focus on what you wish to accomplish with the experience. You can certainly determine your own performance. Try and set goals that you have more direct control over.

Setting Smart Goals

If you are looking for a system of goal setting that is easy to remember then consider the word "SMART." This acronym stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Timed. Your goals should be specific, measurable, and at the same time relevant to your vision and measurable in physical terms. Some people think their goals have to be 'realistic.' Realistic is somewhat relative. I believe that setting a goal that may seem a bit out of reach or a challenge works to motivate me more. If I don't achieve this goal I still feel better that it was a stretch over what I would have set it I set a realistic goal. You need to set your goals the way it motivates you the most. Lastly, by attaching timing to your performance-oriented goals, you can induce yourself to take action.

You must write your plan with a view to taking action. Goal setting means nothing unless you actually follow through with your plans to finish each step. Do not sabotage your future by creating goals that are not in-synch with your abilities or time frame. Start slowly and work your way towards the top of the mountain. See the difference that goal setting makes in your life and as the quality of your life starts to improve. Begin today.

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Article Tags: goal setting, quality of life, take action, write your plan



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