... GOALS GURU: READY, SET, GOAL!... THE GOALS GURU ready, set, goal! How many times have you been told in your life that if you put your mind to it, you can do anything? Maybe you want to run for class president, try out for the cross country team or start a program that funds animal shelters. The idea that anything is possible can feel awesome, exciting and liberating. Unfortunately sometimes, (warning: bummer alert!) it s not always that simple. To reach your dreams, you have to be smart about the goals that you set for yourself. So while you may have all the time in the world to dream, actually achieving those dreams requires a clear plan. Now that doesn t mean to start dreaming small, that means coming up with action steps so you don t get frustrated before you reach the finish line.
get ready The first thing you need to know is what s your dream? vision board If you don t know your dream yet or you re trying to work it all out in your head, try doing a vision board. Vision boards are a great way to creatively express your dreams. It s also a great way for you to focus your energy and choose what matters most right now. To make a vision board, quickly flip through magazines and start ripping out all the images that capture your attention. Don t think about it, just rip away! When you re done, sort through the images and toss any that don t resonate. Next, take your picture and glue it to the very center of the board, making yourself the centerpiece of your vision. Now, depending on your own creative style, you can either a) just start gluing away, adding all of your favorite things randomly to the board or b) if you like, take some time to organize your pictures, putting images together that support one another. For example, you may want to put a heart near your soonto-be boyfriend, or a picture of money next to those new outfits you want to buy. Keep going until all of your dreams are represented on your board. Step back and take a good long look at all of your dreams. How does it feel to see all of your dreams in your vision board? If you have never created a vision board, you ll need a few things: 1. Stack of old magazines (preferably some of your favorite and a mix of topics) 2. Scissors 3. Cardboard 4. Glue stick 5. A picture of you
get set! Now that you ve got the vision, you re ready to get started with the plan. To make sure your goals are within reach, create S.M.A.R.T. goals. These goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. specific Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible to the visible Tony Robbins When you set a goal, there should be no room for interpretation. Be very clear and avoid vague terms and uncertainty. For example, the goal to become a better writer is problematic because better is a vague term. Are you hoping to improve your grammar and spelling? Do you want to get your writing published someday? When you re setting goals, be specific in your word choice and explicit about what it is exactly you d like to accomplish. measurable When your smart goal is measurable, you ll be able to measure the outcome and know when it has been achieved. You ll have reached a certain number or improved in some way. How will I know this goal has been achieved? A goal without a plan is just a wish. Antoine de Saint-Exupery achievable There is a fine line between finding a goal that will stretch you and establishing a goal that is not realistically achievable. Being ambitious is a wonderful thing, but when your ambition is larger than your reality, you may be setting yourself up for disappointment. Be honest about what limitations lie in front of you. In order to further evaluate your goal s achievability, ask the following questions: + + Is this goal within my control? + + What are the constraints and limitations I will face? + + Do I have the necessary resources to accomplish this goal? Consider answering the following questions to make sure you are setting a specific goal: + + What will be the outcome? + + Why is this important? + + Who else needs to be involved? Answering these questions should narrow down your objectives and create a specific goal to look toward.
The answers to these questions should clearly tell you if you are dealing with an ambitious goal or putting your energy into a fruitless endeavor. relevant If you re willing to work for it, anything can happen. Demi Lovatos What goals are relevant to your life right now? We all have short and long term goals. You want to be sure you re focusing on the goals that matter most to YOU. A goal is smart to pursue when it fits your life and the direction you want to be heading. be S.M.A.R.T. When all of these factors take shape together when you frame your goal in specific terms with measurable results that are achievable and relevant to your current lifestyle with a time-bound deadline you will be that much more likely to reach your goal! So go for it. Reaching your goals is possible, if you re smart about it. + + Does this goal fit my vision for the future? + + Will the goal improve my life somehow? + + Is this goal relevant to my life at this moment? time-bound Deadlines are so important when establishing a goal. If you cannot answer when the objective will be complete, the goal may never get done. Set a date. Set a time. Without these time limits, you may lose your determination to complete the goal. + + How long will it take me to achieve? + + When will I stop to measure my success? + + How long is too long? A goal is a dream with a deadline. Napoleon Hill, author of Think and Grow Rich
reflections The goals you set as you begin your career as a business owner will set you on the path to something great and launch you to new heights of success. + + Be S.M.A.R.T. about problem solving. Rather than panicking when you encounter a stressful roadblock, think S.M.A.R.T. first. When you remember the requirements of a good goal, you will be less likely to get flustered and maintain a rational perspective. + + Focus less on the goal and more on the system. Instead of insisting on the end result of your goal, look instead at the process you will need to follow to achieve it. Life is a journey, not a destination. - Ralph Waldo Emerson + + Commit to yourself. When setting and working toward a goal, the most important person to think about is you. You are the one who will be putting in the hours and the effort to make this dream a reality, so make sure you are pleasing yourself. Commit to yourself and then re-commit yourself each time you fall