Do You Hate Setting Goals?
What will your life book like in a year from now? It’s the start of a new year and many of us are back in trenches, dealing with the day-to-day tasks or moving towards the next sale. Unfortunately, the Big Picture can get lost when you are only focused on daily issues. People hate goals… or at least they appear to. According to StatisticBrain.com, only 8% of people that set New Year’s resolutions actually achieve them. So what can we do to make sure we’re part of achievers? After years of trying different goal-setting methods, here’s what works for me.
1) Write down a list of at least 100 bucket list items you’d like to achieve. Some should be achievable sooner than others. Think of all areas in your life… professional ($199k in sales), spiritual (read the New Testament), educational (read EntreLeadership, The Love Dare and Safari Chronicles, or take a class), family (take an Alaskan cruise), physical (drop to 180 pounds), emotional/mental (spend 30 min/week doing relaxation breathing).
2) Put the number 1, 3, 5, or 10 next to each, to mark f it is a 1 year, 3 year, 5 year or 10 year goal. You must have at least 5 goals in each year groups.
3) For all the 1’s, choose ONLY your top 5 goals, do the same for 3’s, 5’s and 10’s.
4) Clarify your goals as SMART, which I define somewhat differently:
a. Specific =Concrete.
Instead of saying Lose Weight, say Drop my weight to 180.
b. Motivational = Passionate; get fired up!
What will you gain if you achieve this goal (live longer, healthier marriage) what could you lose if you don’t accomplish this (unable to go on hikes with my kids).
c. Achievable = Realistic & attainable.
If I’m overweight and rarely workout, it would be inconceivable for me to run the Boston Marathon next month.
d. Relevant = Desirable & applicable to YOU.
If my wife wants be to lose 30 lbs but I don’t, I’m much less likely to achieve it. Yes, I want to make her happy, but if I’m just doing it for her, I won’t put in the effort.
e. Time-bound = Have a specific date to achieve it.
Don’t just say you’ll lose 30 lbs this year. It’s better to say you’ll be at 200 lbs by Mar 1, 2013… 190 by May 1, 2013 and 180 by Jul 1, 2013. If you say you’ll achieve it all by Dec 31, then we have a tendency to procrastinate until November to make it happen.
5) Make yourself accountable. Find a family member or close friend to share your goals with and discuss your goals every 3-4 weeks. Ask them to help keep you motivated and accountable. Read your goals every morning (I put mine in plastic and post it in the shower).
Stay focused & you WILL achieve your goals.
Comments, ideas and questions are welcomed!