A 5 Point Checklist for Successful Goal Setting

Once you know what you want in life, how do you go about getting it? That's where goal setting comes into play. If you've ever tried to set goals in the past and failed, or ever felt frustrated or overwhelmed when it came to goal setting, you'll find the following 5 point checklist to be an invaluable aid. 1. Is it clear and precise? Goals need to be clearly stated in language that is very specific and measurable. Unclear goals create poor results, if any at all. For example: Nonspecific goal: Spend more time with my kids. Specific goal: Read to my children for at least 30 minutes 3 times a week. Nonspecific goal: Improve my fitness. Specific goal: Walk on the treadmill 4 times a week for 20 minutes. Nonspecific goal: Reduce my stress level and increase my peace of mind. Specific goal: Meditate at least 15 minutes each morning. 2. Do you know why you want it? You need to identify a strong enough "why" for achieving your goal, otherwise you'll most likely struggle to find the necessary motivation for its achievement. 3. Is it aligned with your Values? If your goal isn't aligned with your Values, one of two things will happen. Either you won't achieve the goal because it's not really that important to you, or you'll achieve the goal but feel very dissatisfied with the result. If you still haven't clarified your Values yet, click here. 4. Does it have a deadline? Timelines help you create stronger intentions for what you want to achieve, as well as strengthen your commitment. Determining specific dates for completion of tasks will also enable you to plan your time better, and thus maximize your efforts. 5. Do you have a plan for achieving it? Having a great goal is only half the journey to success. You also have to focus on "how" you're going to make it happen - your plan. A good plan will break down the larger goal into bite sized pieces that can be scheduled as action items in your daily calendar. 6. Bonus Check Point All the above check points are helpful in there own right, but in the end this one is the most important. You've got to be sure you're willing to do whatever it takes to achieve the goal you've come up with. Ask yourself: - Will I make sure this happens? - Am I honestly hoping this will be achieved simply because it's on the list? - Am I actually going to do this? If not, you might as well remove it from your list. Goal setting doesn't have to be a painful, disappointing process that you shy away from and try to avoid. Using the above checklist can help you create strong intentions that are aligned with what you really want, moving you closer to living the life that you truly desire.