Step It Up… Goal Setting 101

Where are you now? Where do you want to be? What activity will get you from point A to point B? Sounds simple, but it will require some work. There is a lot of self evaluation necessary to begin taking the “steps” toward reaching your goal(s).

Let’s look at the “where are you now” part. This first evaluation is crucial in identifying your starting point. Just like Dorothy had a definitive starting point with the yellow brick road, you also have a precise point where you would start the change required to succeed.

It’s often that first step that we are afraid to take. But how many times in your life have you taken that first step and then realized, “hey, this isn’t as bad as I suspected”? Exactly! Yet, we keep putting ourselves through this same process over and over and over. Why? It is because we are human. What can we do about that?

One of the crucial parts about a self-evaluation is self-honesty. We must be honest with and about ourselves and truly make the evaluation something from which we will grow. Going easy on ourselves for the sake of taking the easy route may be counterproductive. Buckle down and be blunt. Lay it all out there. You will make progress as a result.

So, defining where you are now is completed. Now what? Step two is defining where you want to be. Set SMART goals. Set goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely.

Many people overlook the fact that they set goals every day and achieve them every day. We all do this consistently, but often neglect the short term and long term goals that we really need in order to gain success.

When we make that list of things to do for the day, we are setting goals. Expand on that. Create your list for a few days, weeks, months, even a couple of years out. Plan your course and work to stay on it in a timely fashion. Goals that we write down and review on a regular basis are more likely to actually get achieved.

Now, compare where you now are with where you want to be and begin to make the changes in your life that need to be changed in order for you to reach your goals. Viola! This will take constant monitoring, reviewing and adapting as you work your way through the process. Stick with it! Without any question whatsoever, you will be pushed outside of your comfort zone. Expect that. Stay focused and work through it.

Remember also that you can always keep adding goals to your list. Your list is adjustable. Life creates changes in our paths so adjust accordingly, but avoid making changes just because it is an easy thing to do. The idea is to grow in all aspects of your life.

As you cross items off of your list, add more that will create even more growth. It becomes easier as you GO DO!™.

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