How to Establish Goals
How to establish goals.
When it comes to the ‘how’ in establishing our goals, we tend to not really know how to get the most out of them.
Perhaps we have the goals in mind, we just don’t quite get to taking the necessary action. But, the good news is there is a way to not pressure or make it difficult for yourself.
Setting unrealistic expectations.
As a result of our frustration and lack of patience, we create goals with unreasonable expectations. Not only in terms of outcome, but also in terms of time. The degree of thinking that leads you there today is not always the level of reasoning that will get you there tomorrow.
When we figure out what we want, we want it now basing our expectations on previous experiences or, more dangerously, on the experiences of others.
Furthermore, when we don’t get the outcome or deadlines, we expected due to unrealistic expectations, we leave the mission with the comment, ‘that always happens to me.’
It’s like travelling from Cornwall to London to pick up an award and turning back because of a small diversion in the route halfway there.
You would contact them and inform them of your impending delay rather than giving up entirely.
Avoid becoming a slave to deadlines; instead, master them.
A goal without a deadline is an illusion, but occasionally you have to make modifications for unanticipated setbacks.
Make sure your objectives are attainable.
Set another higher objective once you’ve completed the previous one.
For example, if you want to be a public speaker, take lessons first and then join a speaking group like Toastmasters, a speakers club, or the public speakers association where you may practise and learn, rather than booking the hall or venue first.
If you wish to earn £150.00 per year and are now making £15,000 per year, plan to grow your income by 25% each year. You can do it again once you’ve completed it.
You will have accomplished your goal in ten years. Who knows, you might have to change your deadline to 5 years.
Do not however confuse realistic with undemanding.
Goals must be ambitious while yet being believable and reachable.
They should have a 50% chance of success and should be placed at the next rung on the ladder to your ultimate goal.
Don’t be worried of change.
Individuals frequently behave in ways that they are accustomed to, however, all progress entails change. But in order for things to change, one must first begin change in oneself.
Of course, change can be frightening because of the unknown. However, once it becomes goal-oriented for some, it is no longer something to avoid.
The key to their success is controlling the direction of change.
Some people even hire a business or life coach to assist with keeping them on track and accountable.
Several of my coaching clients are unwilling to change since they have always done it that way or, more traditionally in business, “if it isn’t broke, don’t repair it.”
Your past does not equal your future, yet the world we experience is frequently distorted.
The fact remains that if a better future was promised, there would be no resistance to change or would there be?
Write it down.
Writing out your goals is the best approach to influence your future and direct your development.
As this is accomplished, our fear of change begins to fade, and we become acclimated to goal-directed change.
It is critical to understand that change cannot be ignored in order to progress, and that each shift presents an opportunity for an innervation and a change to demonstrate your own creativity, which will begin to flow as change stimulates it.
‘So let it be written down, so let it be done,’ said the ancient pharaohs.
Writing crystallises ideas, and ideas inspire action.
Firstly, the act of writing down goals creates an emotional connection.
Secondly, it allows you to prioritise your tasks, establish deadlines, and strike the proper balance. Writing also serves as a measure of progress and shows any conflicts between your aims and ideals.
Lastly, writing goals down also serves as a roadmap to help you keep on track. In addition, writing sparks your imagination allowing you to visualise the outcome of your aim. This, in turn, boosts your creativity to assist you in doing what you determine successfully.
Targets can only be reviewed if they are written down.
Remember that the weakest link is superior to the strongest memory.
Have grit and determination.
Grit and determination are not something you can create; they are discovered deep within you.
Until there is grit and determination, there will always be a way to back down or back away from what is crucial to your objectives and achievements.
When you devote to something, you begin to make growth toward it.
Know your strategy.
We looked around at other kitchens before getting our new one, but our new kitchen was designed down to the smallest detail, where the cupboards would be, where the sink, oven, electric plugs, and so on. It was a precise plan for how they were going to attain the aesthetic I want, even down to seeing the design on computer.
In fact, he couldn’t have completed the plan if the kitchen salesman didn’t have the specific strategy I requested.
You must have a strategy. There are no if’s, buts, or excuses. Without a plan, you will never achieve your full potential.
Of course, conviction is a far more powerful factor for success than method. A plan, on the other hand, assists you to strengthen your foundation, which then serves as a springboard to your goals while measuring your progress. Having a plan is like having a blueprint for your success.
Please contact me if you would like your own bespoke blueprint.
Have an incentive.
When people set targets for themselves, they usually do it with clinched teeth and determination: ‘I’m going to do this even if it kills me.’
Indeed, tenacity is crucial, particularly in your determination to attain your goals, but a rigid form of determination can be self-defeating.
It is critical to have incentive for all of your small, medium, and large goals. It makes no difference how small the reward is if there is a reward.
For example, if your strategy requires you to make ten phone calls, pass one pen from one side of the desk to the other for each phonecall you make. It sounds silly, doesn’t it? But it works, so who cares?
When you have passed ten pens, you will be rewarded by brewing a coffee, a five-minute break, or a glass of wine in the evening – it doesn’t matter.
What matters is that it makes the journey to your chosen destination enjoyable.
Each success is stored in your memory until success becomes a behaviour. If you wait for a significant positive result as confirmation that you are on the right track, you may lose drive to continue.
Visualisation.
I believe there would be more success stories if people used their imaginations more effectively.
Nothing can be materially completed without first being intellectually accomplished.
The significance of vision, or imagining yourself as having already attained your goal, cannot be stressed.
The reason you most likely did not attain your goal is that the vision was a contributing factor to your failure.
Activity.
Although self-explanatory, it receives the honour for so many people enjoying the lives they desire.
Do whatever you want!
Your written strategy will tell you what you need to accomplish, so never deceive yourself; make that phone call, write that email, and attend that networking meeting.
Meet or make plans to meet for coffee with persons who can help you or who can help you.
Learn new talents if you need to. If it means reading more, enrol in a speed-reading class.
Do whatever is necessary. You stand to gain more than you stand to lose.
No matter how good your objective or strategy is, or how vividly you imagine it, if you are not willing to take meaningful action, you are deluding yourself.
Who are the fools: those who lack the ability to use it or those who have it but refuse to use it?
Remember that when there is a demand for a talent, the supply will be found when it is wanted.
The secret of the successful person is that it is demanded.
Start Getting Results Today!
Get in touch today and find out how Karen can help you to start achieving the results you want.
Who Is Karen Baughan?
Karen Baughan is an NLP Master Practitioner based in Bromsgrove, UK. Having used NLP to affect her own personal transformation, she now helps clients, from around the world, to transform their lives and achieve their dreams.