Goal Setting- The Perfect Guide

If you plan to achieve massive success, you have to set goals and plan for achieving them. Studies have shown that goal-setting helps people gain a sense of purpose in life and gives them clear direction. When you set goals, life happens for you rather than t you because you’re in control of everything that happens in your life.  

Goal setting is living a life full of intention; to do that, you must follow certain proven principles. As a working mom in academia and business, setting goals has helped me achieve success faster than I usually would have, and these are the principles that helped me;  

Your goals must be Clear and Specific  

Clear and specific goals are easier to achieve. Define your goals in clear terms and be specific about what you want to achieve. For example, rather than set goals like ‘Make profit from my business,’ set particular goals like ‘make a 15% profit from my business’.  

That way, tracking your progress and achievements will be easy. Specify the indicators that you will use to show that those goals have been achieved.  

Measurable Goals  

One of the best ways to evaluate your success and track your progress is by setting measurable goals. Once you have an idea of what you want to achieve, the next step will be defining how those goals will be measured.  

One example of measurable goals is in weight loss; by tracking the pounds you have lost over time; you can determine the level of progress you have made in your journey.  

Achievable Goals 

It’s one thing to set goals, and it is another thing to set achievable goals. Your goals should be realistic, achievable, and developed according to your skills, limits, and available resources. There’s nothing wrong with taking up a challenge and setting massive goals for yourself, but unattainable goals can become the pathway to demotivation.  

Set Relevant Goals  

Your goals should align with your dreams, aspirations, and values because these are the primary things that drive your actions in life. You must ensure that your goals are in line with your long-term objectives and dreams so that you can be motivated to achieve them. Consider the season you’re in personally, the things you want to change, and the progress you want to make before you finally define your goals.  

Your goals must be Time-Bound

Every goal needs a timeframe for completion if you want to achieve them successfully. Setting a deadline for achieving your goals will give you a sense of urgency and help you prioritize what needs to be done first.  

Making your goals time-bound will also help you manage your time properly and allow you to break the goals into more manageable bits. So, in essence, break down your goals into smaller goals and prioritize them based on urgency.  

Goals should be broken down into Steps  

Milestones are a great way to break down goals and track progress because they act as stepping stones to achieving your ultimate goal. They make your journey more manageable and provide you with a sense of accomplishment as you progress. In goal setting, an action plan is required to help determine how you will achieve your goals. 

Once you’ve broken your goals down into manageable steps, the next thing you want to do is assign deadlines, outline the resources you need, and identify the places where you may need support. You can monitor your progress by reviewing the action plan and adjusting your strategies when necessary.  

Don’t forget to celebrate your little wins and stay committed because that’s how to stay motivated enough to achieve your set goals regardless of how massive they are.