Goal Setting

"A study was made of alumni ten years out of Harvard to find out how many were achieving their goals. An astounding 83 percent had no goals at all. Fourteen percent had specific goals, but they were not written down. Of these people, their average earnings were three times what those in the 83 percent group were earning. However, the 3 percent who had written goals were earning ten times that of the 83 percent group!" Forrest H. Patton author of Force of Persuasion

The evidence speaks for itself. Those who plan ahead and set down goals for themselves are more likely to be successful than those who do not So, why doesn't everybody set goals? This answer is simple. What happens if you write down a goal and never achieve it? You have failed. Today's society perpetuates the myth that failure is bad. If you never set any goals, then you will not risk failure. It is true that to put a goal before yourself puts you at risk of failure. But, if you don't know where you are going, how will you know when you get there? To set some goals for yourself, follow these easy steps:

Step #1 - Dream about success

The first step in becoming a successful, achieving, satisfied person is to think hard about what you really like to do, what you want out of life, and then set goals to reach your dreams. Picture what you would want your life to be like in five years. How about in ten years? Twenty? Forty? Write down some characteristics of yourself at each of these points in time and ask yourself, "Would this really make me happy?"

Step #2 - Figure out what you want to accomplish

Next, try to come up with at least 100 different things or ideas you would like to accomplish in your life. This list can range from "Learn to do a back flip," to "Achieve a law degree, to "Attend my grandchild's first birthday." This is your list. Put on it whatever you would like to have done by the end of your life.

Step #3 - Set challenging goals

Now that you have completed the list above, frame some of those goals using the SMART check (Specific, Measurable, Action-oriented, Realistic, Timely). Make sure you have put a date that you want to complete some of your goals by. This way you can judge whether or not you are progressing toward these goals or not. Also, make sure you ask yourself, "Am I willing to pay the price for this goal?" This way you will know whether or not a goal is realistic.

Step #4 - Create an action plan

For many of your goals, you will find that there is a process involved with their accomplishment. Sometimes we do not put effort toward achieving our goals because they are just too big. Break up your goals into different steps that you can complete along the way. For example, if you wish to travel, where do you want to go? Do you need a passport? Do you need to learn the language? Can you save some money for the trip? Do you know somebody else that has already been there? By answering these questions and coming up with others on your own, you will be able to take large goals and put them into achievable steps.

Step #5 - Commit to yourself

You have set some goals and figured out how you are going to achieve them. The last step is going out and doing it. Write down your goals on separate sheets of paper and review them often. Goals that collect dust on the shelf will never be accomplished. The steps above are just a map for your journey. Only if you use it as a guide will you ever be able to tell if you are actually going anywhere and if where you are going is in the right direction.

(Adapted from The Agile Manager's Guide to Goal Setting and Achievement, Wadsworth, Walter J. 1997. Vermont: Velocity Business Publishing)