Goals are like road maps. Once you’ve chosen your destination they’ll guide you in the direction of your dreams, to borrow a phrase from Thoreau.
Along the way, it takes courage to overcome fears. Goal setting can demand stamina, too. But the rewards, ah the rewards, are sweet.
You’ve probably heard all about SMART goal setting. It’s a time-tested formula that shows you how to methodically accomplish work or personal milestones.
In this post I want to go a little further down the goal setting road. Some goals aren’t as straightforward as others. And ironically, the more you might value a goal, the greater the fear factor.
Excuse Me
I’ve addressed the issue of confronting and overcoming fears in another post. For now, take a look at these typical responses when it comes to facing what we really want. Do any of these sound familiar?
• I don’t have enough time
• Others (family members/spouse/relatives/friends) need me
• I don’t have enough money
• I’m exhausted and just can’t handle another thing
• I should be satisfied with the way things are
• It’s not possible/it won’t work/I can’t do it
I’ve certainly expressed doubts (uh, excuses) like these while trying to make significant decisions in my own life. Whether to travel alone in foreign countries and launching a small business are challenges that come to mind.
TED Talk: Why the secret to success is setting the right goals
My Strategies for Successful Goal Setting
While navigating through my own life experiences I’ve picked up a number of invaluable goal setting tips. They’ve helped me gain perspective, make wise choices, and set goals that work for me. Try them. They could work for you, too.
1. Give yourself space and time
Spending quiet time on a regular basis can do wonders to help you tune up your intuition. Tap into what’s important in your life such as career, health, relationships, interests. Create space by walking in nature, meditating, or practicing relaxation techniques.
2. Begin with one small step
Like the old Chinese proverb says, the longest journey always begins with a single step. Keep that in mind as you move toward your goal. Start by doing something simple like online research or contacting someone for advice. Once that first small step has been taken, it’s easier to build momentum.
3. Care for your self
It’s important to maintain a healthy body but even moreso when you’re facing challenges of change. When you feel good physically, it can uplift your mental and emotional wellbeing. A healthy diet and good sleep habits are also integral to an energetic, positive outlook.
4. Journal your fears
Journaling is an effective way to connect head, heart, and gut – the three power centres in your body that channel intuition. Expressing your innermost doubts and dreams in this way can offer you a much-needed reality check and keen perspective.
Celebrate Your Progress
5. Share your goals
Your goal will be more real when you expose it to the light of day. Tell your dreams and fears to your circle of friends and others you trust. Sharing will benefit them too. And it will help make you more accountable for your actions.
6. See your goal accomplished
Visualization is a powerful tool. When you visualize your goal, see who you’re with, what you’re doing, how you’re feeling. Like a professional athlete visualizing their next victory, you’re programming yourself for success. Expect it.
7. Remind yourself of the benefits
Change can be tough. That’s all the more reason to plug into the power of positive thinking and focus on the outcome you visualize. Tell yourself how your goal will move you forward in life. Regret is a bitter pill if you know you didn’t do everything you could to live life to the fullest.
8. Reward yourself
And finally, successfully reaching your goal is the ultimate reward. But it’s equally vital to reward yourself at critical stages on the way to accomplishing that goal. Celebrate your progress and it will keep you motivated.
Reach for the Sky
So what goals are you reaching for and how do you plan to get there? Remember what baseball great Yogi Berra once said: If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll end up someplace else!
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