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Feature Article
Setting and Achieving Goals - Your Success Depends on It
© 2008 Jullieanne Matheson
We all devote countless hours thinking of our present situation in life, and our future. During this thought process, you probably have found yourself wishing you could change something. The first step to making any change, whether personal or professional, is to set goals.
Many of us are fantastic at setting our goals, however, most of us are practically incapable of following through with them. When you think about it, how many times have you decided on a course of action and then simply couldn't follow through with it? Too often, we fail because we didn't take the time to create a realistic goal-setting plan.
By setting goals, and charting your achievement, you are able to see your accomplishments, and what you can successfully complete in the near future. When you analyze your goal plan, and assess your achievements, you gain a certain confidence in yourself, which enables you to conquer more challenging goals. Goal setting can be a relatively painless process, providing you have the self-discipline required to follow through. The outcome of a successfully achieved goal is extremely rewarding!
Benefits of Achieving Set Goals:
· Accomplish more in life
· Improve overall performance
· Feel an increased sense of satisfaction and pride
· Improve self-confidence and reduce negative thoughts
Think of goal setting as a process of personal development and planning. Setting goals enhances your ability to sort priorities in both personal, and business developments. When you know exactly what you plan to accomplish, you know what barriers you need to overcome. Goal setting is a way of life for many high-achievers: from professional athletes to multi-billion dollar companies. The idea is to create short-term motivation, with long-term triumph.
To effectively create a goal-setting plan, first think of what you hope to accomplish. Next, break it down in to more "bite-size" pieces. Consider your task as a completed puzzle--you see the whole picture at a glance. But, once the puzzle is in pieces, how do you go about re-assembling it? You start putting it together in sections, typically opting for the easier pieces--the ones that are obvious and make sense.
Set your goals in a format that includes time frames, such as the start date, amounts, completed-to-date, and the date of expected task completion.
When you have achieved a goal, take the time to enjoy the satisfaction of your success. Absorb the implications of the achievement, and observe the progress you have made towards future goals. If the goal was a significant one, don't forget to reward yourself accordingly!
The Unsuccessful Goal
Failing to reach your goals can go wrong for any number of reasons. When you fail to achieve a goal, the effects can leave a negative impact on both your attitude and self-esteem. The end result is giving up.
Why Some Goals Fail:
· The goal was set too high-(unrealistic)
· The goal was set too low (No feeling of accomplishment or satisfaction)
· The goal was set at the "outcome" level, rather than a "performance" level
· Too many goals were set at once. Focus on one goal at a time
The biggest reason for the inability to reach a goal is the failure to take action. You cannot reach your goals when you do not set a course of action.
The concept of setting goals is a cumbersome task in itself, therefore, it is logical to set goals separately in accordance to specific areas of your business and personal life. For example: if you want to further yourself in your career, you set goals pertaining to your career enhancement.
You see, while setting the goals can be the easy part, reaching them is a whole new story. As mentioned previously, you need to complete your goals in parts, one step at a time. Once you have
moved in to the first step of your goal, you have taken action--the most important step.
Think of a toddler, learning to walk for the first time. He sees a toy on the edge of the table, and his goal is to get it! He slowly gets up and takes the first step; he has a plan and now taking action. Then, the toddler takes another step, and another, and another. While he may fall a few times in the process, he knows the toy on the table is attainable if he just pushes himself. Often that first step is the hardest, and the next step can be equally difficult. Once you complete a few more, the steps are easier to handle.
Determining what is holding you back is a key factor in successfully moving on to the next step. Many people are followers, and do well only when there is group encouragement. In most cases, your goal is exactly that--your goal. It's up to you to find and embrace the will power required to succeed in achieving your goals.
The process of goal setting should not be looked upon as daunting. In fact, it can be quite exciting and brain stimulating. Setting your goals early enough will make your journey to both personal and online success that much smoother.
About the Author:
Jullieanne Matheson - Online since '99. Successful ezine advertising campaigns begin at: http://www.ezines-r-us.com Upgrade your advertising, try 2 for 1
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