Steps to make your goals reality

Introduction

Goals can be set in virtually all aspects of our lives. You can set spiritual, educational, financial and marriage goals. The lists are endless but our discussion will centre on how you can set realistic goals, pursue and achieve them. Setting goals are deliberate efforts by individuals to channel their energy towards achieving specific goals in chosen areas of their lives. I shall begin by describing what goal setting is, explore the S.M.A.R.T way of setting goals, talk about how commitment helps in ensuring success of your goals and give you suggestions of how to accomplish your goals and finally leave you with a few thoughts about goal setting. Let us begin.

* So what is goal setting?

I describe goal setting as writing a list of things you desire to achieve on a paper, with a step by step method for carrying them out coupled with a completion date, clearly stating when you hope to achieve the goals.
We set goals daily and make plans because of the limited resource called time. Time is equal for everyone on this planet and except you use it creatively, you will lag behind those that know how to maximise it.
To tackle time wastage and maximise its use, we must set goals and make plans to actualise them. There is a simple process of goal setting which is widely accepted and used all over the world. It is captured in this acronym "S.M.A.R.T" which stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time bound. With the aid of "S.M.A.R.T" and one outside this list called "Commitment" there is virtually nothing you cannot achieve.
I shall discuss them one after the other below.

* Specific

A goal must be specific and not vague. What you plan to pursue must be very clear to you or else you will not realize when you achieve it or reach your destination. I will illustrate this by a simple goal of someone that wants to buy a television set. "I want to buy a Television set" This goal is vague and does not qualify as a well set goal. Why do I say this? The reason is that there is no specific type of television mentioned here, no brand, no size or specific time to buy the television is stated. But if I wrote the following instead as a goal, "I want to buy a 24 inches, Sony flat screen Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) coloured television between January and March 2008" it will be accepted as a good goal. The specification of the size, brand, type and time to purchase it will enable me plan for its actual purchase.

* Measurable

A goal must be measurable. You must be able to calculate the time and resources required for the attainment of the goal and ensure they are well deplored. You must be able to measure properly the progress towards the eventual achievement of the set goal. Measuring will enable you to correct your plans if you discover that you may not reach your goal at the pace you were going. I will use a simple goal of saving 1,000 dollars in one month to clarify this point. To achieve this target, you must be able to determine the source of earning this money, your capacity to earn this money, and determine the task to perform within the specified time.

* Achievable

Is the goal achievable or just a wish list of things you know you may not be able to achieve? Have you thought about it carefully and weighed the resources and the potential you have to actualise this goal? What can possibly hinder you from achieving this goal? Answering those questions will enable you to have a clear list of perceived setbacks, to keep you prepared to handle them if and when they eventually occur. It helps to ensure you are not overwhelmed by the pursuit of the goal.

* Realistic

Are the goals realistic or outright unachievable? Here you must ensure that the goals are not just mere dreams or things you know are not possible to realise at the particular time frame you are allotting to them. For instance it will appear outright unrealistic to expect a baby in December from a couple who just got married in September if the woman was not six months pregnant before the marriage. This is not realistic. You must therefore set goals in the ambit of practicality.

* Time boundary

Your goals must have time boundary or else you will not see the need to pursue them diligently. Setting a time limit for each goal makes their pursuit and achievement more definite. Setting a time frame helps to spur you into action. You can also manage the goal attainment by breaking it down into small bits or into daily, weekly monthly, quarterly half yearly or yearly quantity. Then, depending on the length of expected time for their achievement, you may categorize them into short term, middle or long term goals.

* Commitment

Commitment is so Key in goal setting and goal attainment. It is the unseen hand that weaves all the aspects of goal setting for actual performance. The commitment to do is the greatest factor that can make a goal possible or unachievable if every other factor is in their right places. It is a personal choice you must make to work hard and ensure your goals are realized.

To accomplish your goals follow these suggestions:

a) believe you can achieve the goal
b) visualize the completion of the goal before the project begins
c) divide the goals into manageable bits
d) set milestones and give yourself a treat each time you meet a target
d) have the mindset of a finisher and not a quitter.

* Closing thoughts

I shall close by leaving you with these thoughts:
* Goals can be set in virtually all aspects of our lives.
* Goals can be broken down into small bits and pieces to make them less burdensome
* Goal setting is easy and not as cumbersome as most people imagine
* Setting goals help us stay focused and make our lives less chaotic.

I urge every one to imbibe the habit of setting goals. You must realise that the goals you set, shapes the plans you make. These plans in turn influence the actions you take. These actions lead to the achievement of results. It is these results that bring success to us and ultimate fulfilment in life. Therefore, to live a better life set worthwhile goals.

Understanding the journey of self discovery

Are you helpless?

It is pathetic to hear fellow human beings cry out despondently that they are helpless. Can this pronouncement you made really be accurate. Now take a good look at yourself in the mirror. What do you see? Do you see a helpless wimp? Or do you see a person capable of pursuing his own destiny and winning in life. My task in this article is to go ahead to unravel the total package of that person in the mirror right away.

*What label have you placed on yourself?

The act of putting a label on something for instance is to differentiate it from others in the same category and enhance its worth. So I ask you, what are you worth? Can you accurately answer that question and assess your true value? Let me begin to give you an idea of your real worth. You are blessed with two legs, arms, ears and eyes, a great brain and a mouth.

* Analysis of your personal assets

Let us analyse how powerful those assets are to any human being. On this earth you need your two legs and arms to move about, this means you are not hindered. Your eyes function perfectly which shows you are not blind. You have a head and a mouth. Inside your head is a brain which has been confirmed to be more powerful than the most sophisticated super computer ever manufactured on this planet. It is common knowledge that most people regarded as geniuses utilize less than ten percent (10%) of their brain power. With your mind, you have the perfect equipment to create anything you desire. Your imagination enables you to travel to any place you desire without paying a dime. You have the capacity to say whatever you wish with your mouth and you are capable of influencing a vast majority of people packed in a massive theatre just to hear you speak or sing. You can express your wildest wishes and they are carried out which shows you are not dumb or ineffectual.

* Results of your personal assets analysis

Having analysed the awesome power you carry, you will begin to see your body in a new light. My friend that body you have is so magnificent, so powerful and carefully and wonderfully crafted by the creator of the universe and certified as excellent. Your personal value is immeasurable.

* You were crafted with care and excellence

The creator made you after his own likeness. Do you know the import of that word “likeness”? It means you are like God and so you ought to think, act and speak like God. If you believe that, then you ought not to be limited by anything or circumstances on this planet. If you are “like” God that means you are god. Let us demonstrate my claims. A dog gives birth to a dog, a lion gives birth to a lion hence God cannot but be the father of a "god". Hence you have his attributes and nature and thus become a co-creator with him on this planet. Your comprehension of that simple conclusion should encourage you to take that bold step, that action towards pursuing your unique purpose on this earth.

*Take your rightful place now.

I urge you to begin to take your rightful place in the affairs of men. Just find your unique assignment and pursue it with vigour similar to a laser beam which when focused can cut a bar of iron in two. Friend, you are not helpless you are more than you can readily comprehend. Believe this and new windows of opportunities opens up to you, as your brain which was shut down before opens up and light floods in to chase away the shadows of self doubt and self defeatism to assume the role of a conqueror.

You are not helpless please stand up to take your rightful place. You will excel just believe you can and take action immediately.


Victor Usifo