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Achieving your goals in 2008
The beginning of a new year is generally the opportune time to establish some clear goals around what you would like to achieve within your life and career. Many of you may have set some firm resolutions on New Years Eve – how are they progressing? Are you still on track to achieve these?
Statistics have shown that approximately 3% of people take the time to write out their goals and that these are the people who will eventually make them happen. Ten per cent of people think about their goals, never writing them down and just expecting them to happen. Sixty per cent of people spend more time planning their holidays than they do thinking about their goals for the year ahead and allow things to happen. So which category do you fit into?
Will you just allow your life and career to cruise along this year with no real planning or goal-setting? Or will you take charge of your destiny and your success by planning and documenting what you would like to have happen in your career [or even your personal relationships and other important areas in your life] within the next 12 months, 2 years and even 5 years, with specific action steps that will allow you to achieve those goals?
The importance of writing down your goals
A Yale study completed in the 1950’s, surveyed graduates who were studying the same degree and had the same grade point average. The researchers caught up with them 20 years later and all of them were doing well, however there was a small group of them who were doing incredibly well. The experts had a number of hypotheses as to why a small group were achieving better results than their peers. Each of the people in the group were tested and the only difference they found was that the people who achieved the greatest results actually took the time to write down their goals. Therefore take the time to write down each of your goals and post them in an area where you can see them daily.
Goal Setting – Step One
Firstly, make a list of all of your goals – every single thing you can think of - and put them into the columns below. What you want for this year should be listed in column one; what you have planned for the next 2 to 5 years in the next column; and your long term goals (5 to 10 years and over) should be listed in the last column.
Once you have developed your list, revisit each of the columns and prioritise them from the most important to least important, so you have a clearer understanding of what is most important. Your most important goal should be positioned at the top of each column through to the least important.
My goals (this year) |
My goals (2-5 years) |
My goals (5-10+ years) |
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Goal & Action Planning – Step Two
For each of your goals (or even just the top three) identified in the My Goals (this year) column, complete the ‘Goal & Action Planning – Step Two’ exercise below to further explore and plan the steps around how you will see your goals through to fruition.
Ensure you keep your values, beliefs, vision and purpose in check when working through Step Two. Following the well formed outcome strategy will engage you in a goal-focused, solutions-oriented life, enabling you to stipulate your goals in a way that makes them achievable, powerful and verifiable.
Date: |
Goal & Action Planning – Step Two |
1. |
What specifically do you want?
e.g. I want to work in a job that is interesting, presents opportunities for learning and growth and that I enjoy and feel like I am making a difference. |
2. |
What is currently within your control that you can do to obtain this?
e.g. The motivation to finally see this through. I am committed to achieving this goal! |
3. |
Where, when and how specifically will you have this?
e.g. I plan to have made my move to my new job by June 2008. I will achieve this easily and effortlessly. |
4. |
Describe specifically how it will feel when you have this?
e.g. I will feel motivated, inspired and extremely excited when I think about all of the possibilities that are in store for me in my job. |
5. |
What are the steps you will need to obtain this?
e.g.
- Research and decide on a
career coaching program that will allow me to answer many of my questions about the potential job opportunities that are suited to my unique experiences and qualities.
- Establish an action plan and time line that will support me in achieving this goal.
- Set up an accountability partner to keep me on track on my action plan and achievement of my goals.
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6. |
What resources (both internal and external) do you already have to obtain this?
e.g.
- Desire to achieve this.
- Financial ability.
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7. |
What resources (both internal and external) do you require to obtain this?
e.g.
- Career Coaching Program
- Time put aside to enable me to complete activities and necessary steps that will enable me to make some clear decisions.
- Support partner to keep me on track.
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8. |
How do you know when you have this? What is your evidence?
e.g. Sitting at my desk in my new job. |
9. |
Does this outcome fit in your life and have no consequence(s) to yourself or others that would be harmful or painful?
e.g. Yes, absolutely. I have my spouses full backing and support.
[If you answered ‘yes’ that your goals would be harmful or painful to either yourself or those around you, it would be wise to revisit your goal to see if this is really something you should be working towards.] |
How motivated are you to realise your goals?
The path ahead toward goal achievement may seem long and almost impossible, however rather than looking at it as an enormous and unattainable goal, consider taking small steps in your journey. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time!
By using this concept of taking one small step at a time you will move closer to your goal.
Additional pointers to keep you on track:
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Remember to remain strong in your commitment to change. Visualise what you will achieve after having accomplished your goal. How will you feel? What will you hear after you achieve your goal?
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Establish a strong support system to sustain you during difficult times. Having support will allow you to overcome any obstacles and challenges that may arise.
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Keep track of your progress as this should motivate you to continue charging on toward your goal.
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Remember to give yourself a big pat on the back. You may consider establishing a reward system along the way.
Here is to you achieving all of your goals in 2008
Want to learn more about: our career coaching programs; our invaluable support partner programs to ensure you continue to work toward your goals without hesitation; or our breaking the barriers coaching programs to remove all of your internal /unconscious blocks (that are continuously preventing you from achieving your goals) please drop me a line at: annemarie@annemariecross.com.
To your success!
Annemarie
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A personal note from Annemarie...
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