7 tips to more Successful Goals

Goals again?

Well Yes. Goals. Again.
Few success practices are as crucial as defining and continually reviewing your most important goals. As Napoleon Hill said: “A goal is a dream with a deadline.”

Dreams don’t come true until you turn them into goals and chase them until you get what you want. There is ample evidence that shows that people who know what they want, get what they want.
Despite all the evidence, most people either don’t know how to, or simply don’t, set goals.

Start by getting smarter. 

The SMARTER method is a simple tool that helps you set smarter goals to achieve the results you want and need.

Specific: Put simply, it’s the difference between saying “I want to lose weight,” and “I want to lose 30kgs by 31 December.”

Measurable: Being able to measure your goals allows you to see how far you’ve come and how much further you still have to go. 

Action oriented: If actions are needed to get you from here to there, you are on the right track.

Realistic: Realistic is the same as possible and if it has been done by someone before, your goal is realistic! Don’t dream smaller. Dream big! 

Timebound: Set a target date as the deadline to achieve it.

Ecology: Look after your whole self. You are made up of different parts and to function at your best, you must not create conflict within yourself. If you want to be a present parent but your goal will require traveling abroad 24 times next year, potential inner conflict might arise.

Reward: The final key is to reward and celebrate your achievements. This will build the motivation and confidence to go for the next goal. A reward will also give you the incentive to start on your goal-achieving path. 

Now start

Write down your goals for the five spheres of your life – spirit, body, self, relationships and career.

Find an accountable partner to share this with. Use a coach, if you like.

Set weekly or monthly actions to maintain progress.
Check in on the list with monthly reminders. Soon, the question will not be can you, but when will you achieve your goals?

Every year can be epic in its own way. You just need to want it badly enough.
And that part is up to you.
Here’s to an awesome rest of the year and an even better next year!

Edited, as published in leading business journal ASA December 2012.