CSS Forums - Successful Goal Settings

[SIZE="6"][B][U][COLOR="Red"][CENTER]Successful Goal Settings[/CENTER][/COLOR][/U][/B][/SIZE]

One of the most critical aspects to the process of goal settings is to [B]establish and define your goal[/B]. The truth of this very clear in a statement once made by Lee Iacocca: "The discipline of writing something down is the first step toward making it happen."

It is quite one thing to say you want to accomplish something, but without a clear and defined plan; few goal settings are rarely accomplished. It is too easy to get sidetracked without a plan to keep you on the path to your goal.

[B][U]The Plan.[/U][/B]
Success is not an accident. It begins with a well-conceived plan.

[B][U]Action.[/U][/B]
Just do it!

[B][U]Believe it.[/U][/B]
If you can dream it, you can achieve it.

"When we are motivated by goals that have deep meaning, by dreams that need completion, by pure love that needs expressing, then we truly live life." -- Greg Anderson

"Life Will Not Go According to Plan, If You Do Not Have A Plan!"

[SIZE="4"][COLOR="SeaGreen"][B][U][CENTER]Establish and define your goal[/CENTER][/U][/B][/COLOR][/SIZE]

First decide what it is you want or desire to do with your goal settings. Perhaps your goal is to obtain something tangible, such as your dream home or a new car. Or your goal may be something that is less tangible, but will reward you with either tangible benefits or intrinsic rewards. Maybe you want to finish your college education or obtain a job in a specific field. When you define your goal settings, be as specific as possible. “I want to purchase a home by next summer.” Or “I want to finish my undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and graduate by next spring.”

After you have established and defined your goal settings, remember that while it is written on paper it isn’t written in stone. You may need to make adjustments as you go through the process of obtaining your goal, but at least you’re now on the road to getting there!

[B]What will be the significance of achieving your goal-what will be the outcome?[/B]

What will be the benefits of obtaining your goal? What is the purpose of goal settings for you? Purchasing a new home might enable you to have more independence or give you and your family more space or more security. Completing your education will allow you to work in a field you truly enjoy or give you more earning power.

Envision accomplishing your goal and believe that you can achieve it.
It’s easy to say you’re going to do something and quite another to actually believe you’re going to do it. Success of any action greatly depends on how much you believe in yourself and your ability to achieve. If you need to, tape a picture of your goal settings on your refrigerator, your bathroom mirror and anywhere else you can see it everyday. Okay, maybe you don’t even know what exactly what your dream house looks like, but you probably have a good idea. Browse real estate brochures and when you find the house that jumps out at you, clip that picture. Having a visible reminder in front of you everyday will help to keep you motivated.

[B]Research[/B]

Research what you will need to do in order to complete your goal. Be specific. Find out exactly what steps or tools will you need to achieve your goal. Perhaps it’s saving enough money for a down payment and closing costs for that dream home or enrolling in college and completing a certain number of classes. Write down every step, no matter how small. Also write down what tools you might need to accomplish your goal settings. Necessary tools could be anything from the amount of money you will need for the down payment to school supplies.

[B]Barriers and How to Overcome Them[/B]

So far everything is sounding pretty good. You have a goal and a step by step plan on how to accomplish, now it’s time to get to work, right? Wrong. Plans rarely go precisely as you intended. You must leave room for errors and hurdles and how to get beyond them. Maybe you calculate you will need $10,000 for a down payment on that dream home. You plan to put aside $200 out of every weekly paycheck for the next year. By the end of that time, you should have your down payment. Unless an emergency expense pops up you didn’t plan on. Then what? Plan for the unexpected when planning goal settings.

Once you have your plan committed to paper, barriers and all, it’s time to get to work. On the days when you feel discouraged or feel it’s just too hard, go back over your plan. Make adjustments if necessary. Make a point to glance at the picture of your goal settings at least twice a day; morning and night. Most importantly, believe you can do it.

"There is no such thing as a self-made man. You will reach your goals only with the help of others." -George Shinn

"There is no achievement without goals." –Robert J. McKain