Goals are not just for the New Year. In fact, every season, month, week and day we are setting goals. Goals are a part of life. They help give direction and motivation to our actions. Yet, as much as goals are a part of our life, it can seem like an overwhelming process to plan how to get from where we are now to where we want to be.
It's more than just setting a goal, it's a plan to set and take action to achieve a goal. Here are 5 simple steps to Goal Getting:
Define Your Goal Defining your goal requires you to understand what you want. What do you want? What do you want your life to be like in one year, five years, and ten years from now? There are no right or wrong answers to these questions, but asking these questions will help clarify your goal. At the root of every goal there is a reason and motivation that propels our actions. Your answers to these questions will be your why and help you to discover your reason and motivation for what it is you want to achieve.
Make A Plan The first step in creating your action plan is breaking your goal into bite-size pieces. Achieving a goal is similar to building a house. The house is the completed product but there are pieces and stages to the development that are critical before we can have a completed home. Set the foundation and work backwards in thinking what steps need to happen in order for you to achieve your goal. These are milestone goals. From your deadline date determine what you need to achieve in six months, three months, one month, fifteen days, etc.
Take Action Think of one task that you can commit to daily that will be a step forward towards your goal. It's not about being perfect, it's about consistency. Small consistent steps will have the greatest impact. What action will you commit to daily that will help you reach your milestones?
Reflect, Revise & Retry Reflect. Take a moment on this journey to check-in with yourself. What are you doing well and are proud of? What is not working for you? How do you feel? Reflection can help bring forth new emotions surrounding our goals. In some cases this can be the part where you might want to change your goal. Do not be discouraged about any mistakes or setbacks that have occurred, these are usually blessings in disguise. DO NOT HIDE FROM YOUR MISTAKES, THERE ARE VALUABLE LESSONS INSIDE OF THEM. Be honest with yourself. Journal or talk your thoughts and feelings out. This will help you to grow and become better. After you have taken the time to Reflect and check in with yourself, Revise your plan to make the changes needed and then Retry. Keeping going on your journey. The only failure is never trying. As long as you keep trying you will keep moving.
Harmony The final step in goal getting is learning to live in harmony between work and play. If it was possible we would be sitting in the sun watching the clouds go by all day every day. But that is not realistic. Living the best life is not about finding balance, it is about living in harmony. All work and no play is a dull way to live your life. Don't wait until the end. Celebrate and have fun along the way. Treat yourself for all of your hard work. Every time you reach a milestone step, reward yourself.
It is important to understand that this is your life and what you decide to achieve is up to you. Don't let anyone discourage you or come between you and your goals. It doesn't matter if it's for a new school year, a new job or personal wellness, Goal Getting in these 5 simple steps will help navigate you to success.
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