Goal Setting

Goal setting is an important first step in achieving anything, whether personally or professionally. However, with the best intentions in the world, we often set goals for ourselves but fail to achieve them. This can set us up for a pattern of goal setting, failure, low sense of self (due to that failure) and a reduced trust in ourselves. That final reduced self-trust then can further increase the risk of future failure at goal achievement.

What is important to recognize is that It’s not goal setting itself that is flawed, however, but the way in which they are set.

Below are some tips to improve the chances of success with achieving the goals we set for ourselves.

1. Make them SMART. In this instance this means that the goals you set should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time bound.

• • Specific. The goal should be set with specific language and a targeted end in mind. For example, instead of saying “I’d like to exercise more” make the language specific “I will run for 30 minutes three times a week”. Here are some prompts that can help with this specificity:
    • What do I want?
    • What resources do I have to achieve this, in terms of time, money, energy and support?

• • Measurable. The measurability of the goal allows you to track your progress and even identify if and when a goal has been achieved. Here are some prompts that can help with identifying measurability:

• • • How much or many (of my resources) do I need?
    • How will I know I’m making progress?
    • How will I know when my goal will be achieved?

• • Achievable. The achievability of the goal means that while the goal can be challenging but should be realistic. Some prompt to help ensure realism in this regard are:

• • • How can I accomplish my goal, given my existing resources?
    • What might help make the goal more achievable?
    • What might some obstacles and limitations be?

• • Relevant. Relevancy of the goal means selecting a goal that is aligned with values and broader goals. For example, focussing on the goal of attaining work-life balance, and therefore aiming to end the workday 5;30pm so that that the time can be used for a hobby. Some prompts to gauge the relevance of you goal include:

• • • Why am I setting this goal?
    • What will the follow on/knock on benefits to other parts of my life be, should I achieve this goal?
    • Is committing my time and resources to this goal, at this time, worthwhile?

• • Time Bound. This means establishing deadlines for the goal, which is important as it helps sustain focus and therefore momentum. It would be helpful not only to have an end date for when you’d like to meet the goal in its entirety, but also a few short-term deadlines for the steps needed to meet the goal.

2. Map the journey. Identify what the steps or route would be from the starting point to the end point you are aiming for. This bridges the gap between the two and allows you to see in as concrete form as possible, what needs to be done at each stage. Also, identifying each step and then achieving each one sequentially allows you to chart your progress, which can be motivating. This map also allows you to identify any risks that may emerge at the various steps and problem solve around obstacles that may be identified.

3. Review. Conduct a valid performance appraisal at the end date you’ve set for yourself. Critical appraisal can be helpful as long as it is constructive, so review what worked, what you achieved but also what went less well and how you might have managed that differently. This self-appraisal should also involve the use of specific language, so rather than using sweeping statements “I did a good job” or “I did terribly” think about saying “I liked the way I stayed on track with my calendar and ‘to do’ list without losing momentum” or “I think I got distracted with social events near the festive season which shifted my focus from my goal- the next time, rather than suspending my goals, I might find a way to slot them in with the festivities.”