It seems like everyone is always juggling a million things at once and never quite managing to get anything done - and the culprit is usually goal-setting. The most effective way to tackle any problem or task is by setting goals for it, but so many people struggle with how to go about doing that.
Fortunately, there are five specific steps you can take that will make all of your goals easier to accomplish:
1) Choose a specific objective or outcome (i.e., what do you want?)
2) Set measurable indicators, or “little goals” (i.e., when will it be accomplished?)
3) Set milestones along the way (i.e. by when will I have the first little goal completed?)
4) Create a timeline or schedule (i.e., when can I do it? And in what order should I do it?)
5) Make your goals as simple and attainable as possible (i.e., how much time/effort/resources will it take?)
For example, let’s say you wanted to become a better basketball player. You could set a specific objective, like becoming an All-Star by the age of 30. Then you’d figure out some indicators that would help you decide when to set your goals (i.e., doing “away-game sprints” 5 days a week for 2 months). Then you’d set about 5 little goals (i.e., increasing my vertical jump by 10 inches each month for 2 months) and begin setting milestones along the way (i.e., adding 1 more mile a day to my running mileage for 2 months). After those two months had passed, I would have reached the halfway point and be halfway toward my ultimate goal of being an All-Star at age 30. Then I would simply create a long-term timeline (i.e., adding 1 mile a day per week for another year).
5 Step Goal-Setting Formula
Once you have your goals set and your timeline laid out, you can use the 5-step goal-setting formula to help you stay focused, make progress, and stick to your plan.[1]
Okay, so here are the 5 steps: (1) Choose your goal; (2) Set measurable indicators; (3) Set mid-point milestones; (4) Create a scenario or scenario map; and (5) Write it down.
For example, let’s say that I wanted to improve my basketball skills. I might write down my ultimate goal or objective as, “I want to be an NBA All-Star by age 30.” I would then set measurable indicators and mid-point milestones. Maybe I want to average 20 points per game in 5 years. The first two years of that would be 20 points per game each year (2 x 20 = 40). In the third year I could shoot for 40 points per game (3 x 20 = 60), and in the fourth year 50 points per game (4 x 20 = 80).
So there you have it: the 5-step goal-setting formula. It’s a simple plan that you can easily put into action and achieve wonderful success with.
1. Choose Your Goal: What do you want to accomplish?
First, decide what you want to accomplish. This doesn’t have to be super-specific either. Most of us lack the time and energy to become rocket scientists and master every subject in all of human history, so it’s okay to just choose a specific objective or outcome that is extremely attainable by your own personal skills and abilities. For example, I may decide that my goal is to get my ACT score up from a 19 to a 20, which means I would have an 84% chance of getting the score I want in my first attempt. That’s great! I can totally do that with little effort and put in some extra time over the next few weeks to prepare for my next test.
2. Set Measurable Indicators: What little goals should you set?
Now, once you know what you want to accomplish, decide how to measure your progress toward that goal. Setting measurable indicators and mid-point milestones is a huge part of goal-setting and is so important because it helps you feel more focused, organized, and efficient as you work toward completing your goals. So, decide on some easy to measure little goals that you can use as a way of making progress toward your main objective.
For example, if I wanted to get my score up by 2 points, I could set measurable indicators of getting 36 out of 60 total points possible on the test. If I decided I wanted to increase my score by 3 points, then my indicators would be getting 9 more correct answers than on the last test (i.e., 45 correct answers out of 60 total possible answers).
3. Set Mid-Point Milestones: When to reach each little goal?
Then, once you’ve decided on what you want to accomplish, it’s time to figure out when you want your little goals accomplished. This step is important because it helps you create a time frame for when your goals will be reached.
4. Create a Scenario or Scenario Map: How will all of my ideas fit together?
Now that you have the date outlined, it’s time to decide how everything will fit together and the best order in which you should do things. For example, if I wanted to get my score up by 2 points (as outlined in Step 2), but I planned to also take the reading portion of the test as well, then I’d have a better idea of how long it would take me to accomplish all three little goals.
5. Write It Down: How will you keep track of all the actions you need to take?
After you’ve figured out what you want to accomplish, set measurable indicators for each goal, created a scenario for how it will be accomplished (i.e. how will you do it?), and thought about the best order in which to do it, you’ll need to take all of this information and actually write it down. This can be done in a variety of ways; I personally like to use sticky notes, but any method will work.
Use these steps as a formula for goal-setting and stay focused on your mission. It’s time well spent!
For more information, click this link: http://www.everydaypowerblog.com/goal-setting-formula/
GOAL: Get a new job :)
Read more at http://www.everydaypowerblog.com/goal-setting-formula/
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