Goal Setting: How To Set And Achieve A Goal

By Hope Wilbanks

Goal setting seems to be difficult for many to grasp. All too often, lofty goals are desired and because they are unreasonable and unmet, discouragement sets in. This has happened one too many times to me. Don't let this happen to you!

I recently discovered a goal setting technique that blew the lid off the way I view goal setting now. Read on and I'll share my personal goal setting method with you that will teach you how to set and achieve a goal.

Define the bull's eye.

This single step totally changed the way I look at setting goals. Think of your goal as the bull's eye on a target board. A bull's eye is bold (red) and defined (small circle, centered within growing rings). Here's how you clearly define your bull's eye:

• First, your goal (the red bull's eye) must be specific . "I will get more exercise," cannot be considered a goal because it is too unclear. "I will exercise 2 days per week at the gym and walk 3 days per week on my treadmill at home," is a specific goal.

• Second, your goal (the red bull's eye) must be measurable . When do you want to reach this goal? How long will it take? What steps will you take to reach it? When will you know your goal is completed?

• Next, choose an attainable goal. Is this a doable goal? Your goal should be challenging. On the other hand, you also don't want to set such a high goal that you become quickly discouraged. Set a goal that you believe you can achieve.

• Is your goal realistic ? Is it possible to reach this? Your goal should be something that you believe you can accomplish within a reasonable time frame and in reasonable circumstances.

• Finally, your goal must be tangible . When your goal is completed, you will have a physical, real result. It is something that can be handled, touched or felt. It's something that you will have in hand when accomplished; a physical representation of all your hard work.

Have your goal? Great! Now it's time for the next (and easiest!) step.

Define the outer rings.

Now that you know what you want, you can determine what you need to do to get there. Take a sheet of paper and draw a big bull's eye target on it. Make sure to draw several rings around it. Color the center circle with a red marker. Write your goal smack-dab inside that red circle.

Take some time to think about your goal. Each of the earlier steps should have given you a clear image of your goal. At this point you know what you want and are ready to create your plan of action.

•  Make a list of every step you think you will need to reach your target. Even if it seems minute in nature or not important enough to write down, write it anyway.

•  Ask yourself, "Am I forgetting anything?" Sometimes we overlook the obvious, especially when it comes to setting goals.

•  Read through your list, and apply all of the tips listed above to each item. Think of this as your list of mini targets that will help you reach the bull's eye. Make sure every one of the items on your list is specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and tangible. They should all relate to your main object, hitting the bull's eye (your goal).

•  Are there any items on your list that can be grouped together, or condensed into one goal? If so, do that now. Remember, the more specific each goal, the better. Specific goals are clear, easy targets.

•  Number your mini targets. This is an important phase. You need to be able to go from A to B, from B to C, and so on and so forth. You can't get from C to H. Make sure to number them in order of what needs to be done first, second, third, etc.

Now comes the fun part! Write each of your mini targets on one circle of your bull's eye target. Write your first mini target on the outermost ring. Write the second mini target on the next inner ring. Continue in this manner until you have filled in your target with every step. (Hint: you might have to redraw your target after you determine how many steps (or mini targets) you'll have.)

Post your bull's eye target where you will see it daily. You'll aim towards hitting your first mark, the first, outermost ring. When you hit it, color it, place a decorative thumbtack on it, or mark it in some other way. Then, start aiming for the next ring. Before you know it, you'll hit the bull's eye!