Setting Goals

"The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short,

but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark." 

Michelangelo Buonarroti 

Do you set goals? I'll admit, I'm not great at setting and sticking to long term goals. My tendency is to knock out the short term projects, and then allow other pressing items to crowd out long term ones. Once upon a time, my goal plan looked like this:


1) Set goals.
2) Do them.


While these points apply to all goals, they're a tad simplistic, right? And while I've learned much since formulating that original framework, I still seek a good balance, as responsibilities are ever changing. 

So how does one manage and accomplish both kinds of goals? Short term ones are often the most noisy, as they relate to daily life maintenance, whether for work, home, or other commitments. Long term ones often require more time and effort, a bigger investment of oneself, and perhaps a life change of some kind.

In my quest to be more intentional and get my act together, I researched setting goals and made a new list. Much I knew, but was inconsistent with application.


The New List:

 

1) Evaluate long and short term goals. Is it a dream? Is it a goal?  
2) Answer #1 and assess which ones are worth now pursuing. 

3) Define these pursuits, what each one is and means to life now. 
4) Make a plan with answers from #3.
5) Create a reasonable calendar to accomplish these goals. 
6) Pray about all of the above. Before, during, and after... :) 
  

During my research, I came across the SMART method, created by business psychologist George Duran. It offers a better breakdown to goal setting. (Visit this link for more details.) Here's a quick summary: 


1) Specific - set specific, concrete goals, avoid generalities.

2) Measurable - keep track of goals, keep a log/journal to record progress.

3) Achievable - be honest, make them realistic, stretch but don't push beyond your limits.

4) Relevant - ensure they're worth pursuing and relevant to your life.

5) Time bound - create deadlines to motivate and focus, then meet them.

More Related Links:

• Jim Rohn's - 4 Tips for Setting Powerful Goals  

• Writing Worlds' - Setting Effective Writing Goals 

• Michael Hyatt's - The Beginner's Gide to Goal Setting 

• Linda Formichelli's - How to Set Goals that Make Sense

While this isn't a comprehensive guide, it reflects my efforts to get better focused and organized. We're always learning something, aren't we? :)  

What helps you accomplish your goals? What are your goals for 2017?

Happy writing,

Karen

  

Photo credit: Free Images