How To Set Goals:
A Simple Strategy to Success
Do you know how to set goals? Do you regularly list your goals? Do you have a goal setting planner? Or a a plan of action for success?
I am excited once again to have a conversation with you about the importance of goal planning. I hope you have had a chance to check out the #Divas2Divas blog post I shared with you on January 14. The feedback you Divas gave me on the 11 Tips to Accomplish Your Goals content show that you are Driven, Inspired, preparing to be Victorious and ready to take Action.
And that is outstanding!
But haven’t you felt fired up and motivated before, only to see your efforts fail? You know you have what it takes to be the best you possible. There is no doubt in your mind and your heart that the world is going to open up to you and deliver the peace and success that you desire.
So let me ask you one quick question, if I may. Why hasn’t that happened yet? You have put in the hours, you have read the books, bought the courses, and when you look around you, you know you have a burning desire that far outshines those around you.
So you get frustrated, especially when you do not see the fulfillment of your dreams and desires, in spite of all your hard work and focus.
Fellow Diva, do not despair. We are just human, you and I.
That means we make mistakes.
We fail.
We stumble.
We sometimes stray from the path that will lead us to our inevitable success and total happiness.
And that is, a lot of times, because we have not planned properly. Smart goal achievement means planning. Just remember this …
“When you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.”
[Tweet “Goal Planning the SMART Way – Taking Small Steps For Big Results”]
Maybe not consciously, but that is the way the universe works. Your brain is the most complex computer that has ever been designed. And it craves order. So when you give it a plan, and then implement that plan step-by-step, day by day, unfailingly, those important goals and desires at the end of that path begin to inch closer and closer.
And this works because goal planning, setting and achieving is already hardwired into your mind. Did you know that when a human being performs the same action, the same way, for 21 to 28 days in a row, that activity moves from conscious behavior to unconscious habit?
You can use this goal planning and achieving autopilot skill which is already a part of your makeup to get just about whatever you dream of.
Here is what you need to do next.
Go back and check out our Goal Setting and Accountability post that you and I shared on the last day of 2014. We discussed how S.M.A.R.T. goal planning forms a bridge that takes you from where you are now to where you want to be, inch by inch, step-by-step.
You do not focus on your destination. Instead, you follow the Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-Wise goal planning baby steps to create your new reality.
List Your Goals the S.M.A.R.T. Way
First, specifically state your intentions. This must be very specific. And it must be written down. Saying “I want to be rich” is not good enough. Saying “I will make $100,000 this year from my small business and my blog” is an example of a very specific intent.
Next, develop some type of way to measure your progress. Using the above example, you would divide $100,000 by 52 weeks and come up with $1,923.08 per week. That is very measurable. That is the amount of income you need to produce weekly to achieve your year-end goal.
You should also be certain that your specific goal outlined in the first step of the S.M.A.R.T. goal planning process is achievable. In today’s wonderful world of incredible opportunity, generating an income of $1,923.08 per week is more than achievable, it is obtained by women all over the world just like you every day. So in this particular example, our goal is definitely attainable.
You should also understand that your goal needs to be realistic. This is closely related to, but different than the last goal planning step of Attainable. If you are a 5 foot tall woman in your 50s, a goal of playing basketball for your country’s Women’s Olympic Team is simply not realistic.
Finally, your goals must be time related. This ties back in with the specific and measurable characteristics that your goal must also have. You need to have a completion date written down.
That is the smart way to set your goals, and it only takes a couple of minutes of honest thinking on your part.
Don’t forget that you can always download your free copy of the Divas With A Purpose S.M.A.R.T. Goals Planning Worksheets instantly by clicking here. These worksheets will help you list your goals and give you a foundation for success.
To your continued success in becoming the most successful Driven, Inspiring, Victorious and Action taking DIVA you know you can be.
Michelle
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Angela says
Such a great post. You make goals easy and smart.
Ellie Murphy says
Such great information! I can’t wait to use it to make so,emgoals!
blessedfe says
Great pointers!! I appreciate all that you have said and I absolutely love the saying, “when you fail to plan you are planning to fail.” It’s absolutely true! Thank you for this post and simplifying goal planning!
Christina McKenzie (@ChristinaHdgPdg) says
There are a lot of posts out there about planning and reaching goals. I love how you focus on SMART to do this.
emma says
I’m a list maker and this goes hand in hand. I love being able to cross off my smaller goals that help me reach my bigger ones!
Joyce Duboise says
Great tips! Sometimes life gets the best of us and we lose our direction. I have also learned that when I plan, everything turns out how it should! People forget that it takes work and dedication. I love the fact about the 21-28 days of doing something to make it an unconscious habit. Thanks for this great article! I shared on Twitter 🙂
Jennie says
Wow…I have a hard time believing that making $100,000 this year is possible for me, but it sounds like a good idea. 😀 But I’m happy to meet my smaller goals. 🙂
Eyeland Gurl says
Hey Michelle
I am a true believer in goal setting and I know the tremendous difference it makes in the journey to success. Thanks for the great reminders!
progers39 says
I love the realistic part! Sometimes my goals are amazing but not realistic in the grand scheme of things!
creativekkids says
I love the quote, “taking small steps for big results.” I made only a few goals this year so that I might actually achieve them!
camilleduqueaguila says
I agree with this! Great tips. Sometimes we set goals and we forget to track our progress because we didn’t set a specific period. I am guilty of being one. Thanks for the timely reminder
mellissaa says
I’ve been working on goal planning lately, and planning is something that really helps me keep track of things and reach my goals. thank you!
shandryss says
Hello there! I must recognize that I am not thw kind of person that makes plans and plan to many goals…but I admire the people that are doing this thing. I wish you good luck with your goals!
karabayleaves says
Great tips. I’ve been working on goal-setting, so the timing is perfect. Thank you!
mbunthank says
Thanks for sharing! I really like the SMART acronym. Good post!
Laura at Mommy Maleta says
I completed a goal setting workbook at the beginning of the year and it was really helpful. Thx for these tips.
anislandfamilybygrace says
I really like your clear, easy to read printable and explanation 🙂
kellycoxathome says
Planning, lists, strategy, commitment, follow through, purpose – all things that will help you to succeed in your plan and efforts. Thanks for sharing this!
Lexi says
This post is a great resource for someone who’s discouraged while trying to reach a goal! I liked what you said about the brain being a computer that craves order 🙂 I look forward to checking out your other posts.
Debbie Williams says
I think small steps are the key. I need to follow your advice and become more organized and goal oriented. Great post. Thanks.
Howard @ Backroad Planet says
I think the two most important terms in the SMART goal acronym are “attainable” and “realistic.” Too often I think goal-setting can be so grandiose that the goals become burdensome, rather than motivational.
Corinne Rodrigues says
Just what I needed! Thank you for taking the time to create this!
MomMaven says
I am all about goal setting and planning, nothing good happens by accident.
SusanLower (@SusanLower) says
Great tips. Love how you remind us to put a time/ date on it. So often we make goals but never succeed because we never motivate ourselves further of pressing to finish it without having a time in mind.
Jennifer Sanders says
Thank you for your tips on goal setting. It is really important when we are trying to move forward.
Hannah Fellows says
GREAT tips! I am horrid at planning but this is very encouraging. 😀
patricemfoster says
Thanks for sharing great tips and goal planning the smart way only a Divas would think about this.
Sherri says
Thanks for the great tips! I’m big on goal setting – I wouldn’t get anything done or grow as a person without them! I make quarterly goals and review them monthly to make sure I’m on track, or change priorities if need be.
Laurina says
Thanks for the goal setting tips. I totally agree with planning small attainable steps, and that is what works best for me, too.
Karmen says
Thanks for the tips on goal-setting. I could use more practice in this area of my life but I have a hard time being realistic. When I set the goal I think it’s reasonable but then it turns out not to be.
Meagan @Life in the Between says
This is one of my biggest weaknesses, I really need set more concrete goals. Thanks for the reminder.
yumeating says
I have many different types of goals. Sometimes I get overwhelmed and feel like all my goal lists should have goal lists. Kind of sad really.
Missy says
Great tips! I’m always soaking in more tips about goal setting and achieving your goals. Thank so much for sharing!
Miss–
Victoria says
Thanks for the ideas on goal setting. I don’t seem to have much trouble setting a goal, but following through with it is more challenging.
Pat Bacon says
Great list and value your knowledgeable input. The S-M-A-R-T acronym is a great way to recall what is important when trying to improve our goals.
TOTS Family says
Slow and steady wins the race! I think the gratification of reaching small, building goals one by one is a great motivator.
williscrisi says
The business team I am with encourages and use S.M.A.R.T. goals each month, then we post them for the team to see. This month has been the first month I have participated and I am seeing the small steps moving me forward.
concertkatie says
Thanks for the tips! I have a lot of goals and need to figure out how to plan them out so that I can accomplish all of them
He says, She says says
These are all great tips for goal setting. My goals must be WRITTEN DOWN. I am so easily distracted, that unless I write them down and keep them in front of me I won’t complete them.
I appreciate your tip about keeping goals realistic as well. Thank you for sharing!
C. Lee Reed says
I love click to tweets so thanks for including that. This was one of my first years at really creating SMART goals. And so far, give or take a little slip, I’m on it. I love that you remind us that failing is acceptable and there’s always another day to prevail!
Mitch Mitchell says
Well, I can’t claim divatude, being a dude. lol However, I can talk about goal planning. I set goals every year and make plans towards reaching them. Last year I hit all of them; the year before I hit 4 of 5.
This year… not going so well at this juncture. Sometimes that’s just how it goes. I keep working on it though; track record says one can’t quit, although one can modify.
Lisa says
Hi Michelle, this is a great check-off list to get people to actually take action toward making things happen for themselves. I agree with your point about making those goals “realistic” too. I think it all starts there for sure.
Hope you have a great day.
Toiia L. Rukuni says
I love how you have used Diva for goal setting. You have great tips to achieve your goals for women that inspire to improve themselves and make their dreams a reality for 2015. Thank you for sharing this motivational article!
Jennie says
I’ve found goal setting very helpful with my tiny business. I like to use expanding cubes or stair steps to visualize small goals leading to larger goals. Thanks for a good post!
Angela @ Envision Blissfulness says
Great tips! I definitely need to stop procrastinating and write out my goals!
Quirky Grandma says
I must admit I have a problem with failing to plan. This is probably why I fail. Recently, I realized that I am my own worst enemy. However, I have finally woke up and I now plan everything. I just have to remember the baby steps.
A. Blake says
Most people fail to plan because they are afraid of failure…which is the first step to success!
Barb @ A Life in Balance says
Thank you for contributing to Motivation Monday!