Goal Setting and Time Management - Part 1

What is a goal? - Well my son said it's when the ball gets into the net past all the things blocking it.

So I ask how do you score a goal? You imagine it mum, and you try different ways to get past all the other players, some work some don't but you have to keep trying and then you eventually get a goal.  Unless you are the goalie he is not meant to score goals just stop them :-)

How do you imagine it?   I have pictures on my wall of people scoring goals and I see it in my head the team winning and me scoring a goal.

It's funny really because I over complicate my goal management sometimes instead of keeping it simply about vision and passion to reach my goals.

The most common terminology you hear about goal setting is making sure you set SMART goals, that you write them down and that you consistently visualise achieving these goals, but remember you must have a plan to back up how you are going to achieve the goals you set yourself.

• S = Specific
• M = Measurable
• A = Attainable
• R = Realistic
• T = Timely

Specific - Goals should be straightforward and emphasize what you want to happen, the what, why and how

• WHAT are you going to do? Use action words such as direct, organize, coordinate, lead, develop, plan, build etc.
• WHY is this important to do at this time? What do you want to ultimately accomplish?
• HOW are you going to do it? (By…)

Measurable - If you can't measure it you can't manage it. Establish real criteria for measuring progress towards reaching each goal you set. When you measure your progress, you stay on track, reach your target dates, and experience the excitement of achieving that spurs you on to reach your goals.

Attainable -Goals that are too far out of your reach you are less likely to commit to.  Although you will start out motivated towards a goal your subconscious will keep reminding you that it is not really attainable.  Your goal does need to stretch you and be important to you, you will then begin to figure out ways you can make them happen. You develop the attitudes, abilities, skills to reach them.

Realistic - There is no point in setting yourself an unrealistic target, the goal needs to be realistic for you and within the things that you can influence the tings you can change.  Setting unrealistic goals only undermines your confidence to achieve.  But do not make them easy there is no sense of satisfaction in achieving easy goals make them somethings you can strive towards.

Timely - Put a time frame an end date on your goals, give yourself a clear target to work towards.  If you do not give yourself a time frame there is no urgency to start the work necessary to meet your goal. 

Write your goals down, visualise success and never give up it will happen!!!!