5 Goal Setting Tips

It's either you have a goal that gives you direction or you are just direction-less. Tossed around aimlessly like a nylon in the wind. Goals provide direction and enable you focus on what you want to achieve. It's like a 'goal post' in a football game, gives meaning to the whole game. Without the post to aim for, the game will be boring and exhausting. That's how life is without goals. How then can you set goals? Here are 5 ways:

1. Figure out how you are presently using your time.

Possibly you have wondered why there are times when you felt you have not accomplished anything? Have you thought about, "Where did my time go?."

Analyzing what keeps you busy will offer insights on how you make use of your time. List down everything you do daily and exactly how much time you spend on it. Do this for a week and you will recognize that you may have worthless activities that you have to abandon. When you discover this, you'll now have enough time to quickly attain your objectives.

2. Set reasonable goals.

Identify short-term, medium-term, and long-term goals. Short-term goals would be the ones that you'd like to complete within a couple of weeks or a few months. Medium-term goals are those you wish to achieve within a year or so. Long-term goals are the ones that you might want to accomplish in your daily life. These goals may be relating to your family, friends, school, work, finances, health, or lifestyle.

When you have identified your targets, list them down so these become real and meaningful to you. When writing them, don't forget to state them in a positive way so that you will be motivated to obtain them. Makes use of the word "will" and not "would like to" in your own statements.

3. Identify challenges which will hinder you to reach your primary goal.

There might be obstacles or challenges in reaching your purpose. So ask yourself, "What is getting in my way to accomplish what I needed to do?" Be open to change. Be flexible and prepared to have an alternative plan.

4. Prepare an Action Plan.

Write down the steps concerning how you certainly will accomplish your primary goal. Make a "To Do List" and post them in conspicuous places in your home to remind you of whatever you want to do. Cross out those steps that you have completed. Soon you are going to be aware that you're making progress in achieving your primary goal. This is especially vital when accomplishing your long-term goals.

5. Treat yourself.

If you have accomplished several of your short-term or medium-terms goals, treat yourself. You may like to have a spa or buy yourself a gift. This will motivate you to strive harder and go on to accomplish your long-term goals.

Setting goals is centered on what you wish to go and the way to get there. It's a benchmark or a gauge to check if you are succeeding. 

-Ephraim Davies