How to Set and Accomplish Goals
The process of enhancing and developing a career(s) is multifaceted; it involves but is not restricted to setting and accomplishing goals. Career growth and progression should be the target for every individual or worker. No one should want to remain stagnant; stagnation inhibits productivity and the overall progress of individuals and the organization at large. Also, it stops you from reaching your peak; most employees struggle to attain the apex of their career because they fail to set goals from the onset.” How do I set goals?” is a question that beckons on most individuals and workers minds. “How do I ensure that set goals come to fusion?” is another question that runs through their mind. Although goal setting is paramount to growth and development, accomplishing and achieving set goals is arguably more important.
Similarly, you tend to get the best version of yourself when you set specific goals; making strides and planned efforts to accomplish these goals will make you stand out among others. Also, set goals should directly be proportional or related to your overall growth, and be devoid of ambiguity. In addition, these goals should have both short and long-term positive effects on your career. Most importantly, don’t set goals that are unrealistic and vague; you shouldn’t spend the entirety of your career on an unachievable goal.
The most successful people in the work and business world today started by setting goals; relatively, they worked hard to achieve them. However, most individuals make the mistake of forgetting the short term while setting goals; they tend to focus on the long term. This has led to retrogression and a general drop in productivity among workers. Just as climbing a ladder, goal setting should be a step-by-step process; starting from short to long term goals. Therefore, this article will help provide tips to all and sundry, on how to set and accomplish goals.
What is a Goal?
A goal is an idea of the future or desired result that a person or a group of people envision, plan and commit to achieving. People endeavor to reach goals within a finite time by setting deadlines. A goal is roughly similar to a purpose or an aim; the anticipated result that guides action or an end. Also, goals have intrinsic value and influence an individual’s performance. They serve as a guide and help you maintain focus. Goals affect performance in the following ways;
- Setting difficult goals make you put in greater effort.
- Goals arouse creativity and innovation; they also lead to the discovery and use of task-relevant knowledge and strategies.
- In addition, goals direct attention and effort toward relevant activities.
- Goals make you more persistent and make you put in more effort.
Similarly, successful goal setting starts with identifying specific goals and planning how you intend to achieve them in a realistic way. There is always a sense of elation and pride when you accomplish, achieve, and complete set goals.
Tips on Goal Setting
Enumerated below are tips on how to set your goals;
- Decide what you really want to achieve: The first step in goal setting is making a decision on what you want to achieve. Taking such decisions serves as a bedrock for subsequent activities in goal setting. You shouldn’t be concerned about what others want for you. It is easy to fall victim to and follow people’s dreams. Also, ensure that you make your goals for yourself. Don’t bow to pressure; don’t get carried away by the perceived success you see in others. Research has shown that when your goals are personally meaningful, you are more likely to get ahead in life and achieve them. In addition, questions like “what do I want to offer my community/world?” or “How do I want to grow can help when making such a decision”.
- Prioritize: Prioritizing should be the next port of call after figuring out what you want to accomplish. When you try to work on every aspect of your life at once, you lose focus, become overwhelmed, and might ultimately end up not achieving any goal at all. Also, you should split your goals into first, second, and third goals according to their importance. Your first-tier goals should be the most important of all and should be given utmost priority. After accomplishing them, you can then move to the second tier goals; do this continually, until you achieve all the goals.
- Be specific: Be specific about what you want to achieve; don’t beat around the bush when setting goals. When you set specific goals, you are more likely to achieve them. In addition, specificity should go hand-in-hand with details. There should be a detailed and specific breakdown of each goal. For example, the goal “Be healthier” is too big and vague to be a helpful goal. “Eat better and exercise more” is better, but still not detailed or specific. However, “Eat 3 servings of fruits and vegetables a day and exercise 3 times a week” is specific and concrete, making it much easier to achieve.
- Be realistic: Separating wishes and dreams from reality is essential when setting goals. Relatively, you should make sure that your goals are kept grounded in reality. It is okay to have aspirations, but you need to know exactly what to do to get you there. Make sure you start from within your means mentally, physically, economically, and psychologically.
- Write down your goals: You’ve thought about what you want to achieve, you’ve prioritized them; you’ve made them specific, and realistic. What do you do next? According to analysts, you should write them down. Writing goals down in detail often makes them feel a little more real. More importantly, keep your list in a place where you can reference them frequently to keep you motivated.
- Make sure the goals are measurable: Always set goals that are measurable; it will make it easier when it comes to completing them. You should have a rubric for measuring goals. The aim of making goals measurable is to enable you to know if a particular goal has been completed or not. Similarly, measurable goals give you a sense of satisfaction when you’ve finished them.
- Keep your goals grounded in what you can achieve: It is important to note that individuals only have control of their actions; you can’t control how others choose to behave or act. Make sure you won’t have to rely on others to achieve your goals; focus on your own actions, it will help you face setbacks and roadblocks squarely.
- Identify possible obstacles: Nobody really wants to think about what could go wrong when planning for success. However, identifying potential obstacles and how you’ll deal with them is crucial when setting goals. If you don’t, you won’t have a game plan when challenges inevitably present themselves.
Accomplishing set goals
To achieve or accomplish set goals successfully, consider the following;
- Follow your plan of action: As discussed earlier, every goal should have an action plan for implementation. To successfully accomplish set goals, carefully follow the action plan in a step-by-step manner.
- Ask for guidance: Find a mentor or someone who has achieved your goal to give you advice. They will have insights into what you can do to accomplish set goals; as well as things to avoid to ensure success
- Recognize and avoid false hope syndrome: The menace caused by false hope syndrome often derail individuals from reaching their peak. False hope syndrome occurs when individuals are desperate to have immediate results. The syndrome occurs and manifests when you set goals, when you have difficulties accomplishing goals, and when you give up on a goal. Avoid the syndrome and focus on achieving your goals.
- Stay passionate: You will invariably face challenges when trying to achieve your goals. What will keep you going is your passion. Remember, these goals are things you want for yourself; remaining passionate about accomplishing them will help you overcome unpleasantness and difficulties.
- Set deadlines to accomplish your goals: Setting deadlines is crucial to achieving goals. It gives you a time frame to work with. Arguably, deadlines determine if you accomplish your goals or not. Make sure you attach deadlines to each goal and work towards completing them in the allocated time.
- Find a community of like-minded people: There may be situations where you aren’t the only one with a particular goal. Research and find out coworkers or individuals with similar goals or aims and exchange ideas, on how to accomplish them. You can use LinkedIn and other online sites or tools, to share and benefit from others’ expertise and knowledge. This will aid you in achieving set goals.