Do you know the book "Chicken Soup for the Soul"? Even if you haven't had the pleasure of browsing through its pages, you've almost likely heard its name reverberate throughout popular culture. This inspiring book of 101 life-affirming stories grew from the brains of authors Jack Canfield and Mark Hansen in the 1980s, a friendship, and shared goals.
Their path to prosperity was far from easy. After a three-year development phase, they were met with a cold reception: 144 publishers denied their work. These refusals, however, did not shake their deep conviction in the potential of their product.
Finally, in 1992, their efforts paid off. A modest publisher, Health Communications, took a risk, signaling the start of an incredible success story. Readers all over the world found peace and inspiration in these upbeat stories, resulting in a prolific series with over 250 titles by 2020.
What is the story's moral?
Clear, defined goals help to shape big dreams. But it's not only about having huge dreams; action and perseverance are essential when things go rough.
This essay will go into the difficult process of reaching your objectives. (Spoiler alert: it entails far more than simply ticking off SMART goal boxes.)
How to Achieve Your Objectives (Step by Step)
1. Establish a SMARTer Goal
2. Make a Goal Plan
3. Take Action on Your Goal
4. Maintain Focus on Your Goals
1. Establish a SMARTer Goal
Even if you have a vague concept of what your desire is, taking ahead to attain it can present additional challenges. Such issues may include:
– Your dreams aren't your own - you could be adopting the dreams of your social circle or your parents. It will be difficult to maintain consistency when this occurs.
– You could feel overwhelmed by your desire - Pursuing a dream is a massive task that can be mentally taxing. Trying to become a famous singer is impractical and might lead to disappointment. On the other hand, setting a weekly goal to make music will motivate you in the same way, but without the added pressure of being famous.
– You have a busy head and are disorganized - The ability to organize your thinking and your area is essential for thriving. If you're easily distracted or have a foggy head, take a few deep breaths or meditate during the day to center yourself.
– You don't have a why - why do you want to achieve this goal? Why should you stick to this habit? It is vital to know the answers to such questions in order to remain consistent. Not only that, but you must have a compelling reason (or more) to continue.
HOW TO SET SMART GOALS
Setting SMART objectives and beginning to achieve important personal goals with personal accountability - without limiting preconceptions.
– Specific - What is the purpose and direction of the aim I'm pursuing?
For example, I'd like to drop 50 pounds.
– Measurable - Will the goal be measurable?
For example, every week I will weigh myself and track my progress.
– Achievable - Is the goal attainable?
For instance, I have extra time and money to spend to lose weight.
– Relevance - Does the goal correspond to my inner self?
Yes, I want to look nice during the summer.
– Time-bound - When must the goal be met?
For instance, I have a year to drop 50 pounds.
Set Specific Goals
Goals that are too broad or comprehensive are unproductive because they lack focus. Remember that you'll need goals to lead you. Make getting where you want to go as simple as possible by identifying your destination in detail.
Set Measurable Goals
In order to track your progress, use exact figures, timeframes, and other data in your milestones.
How would you know whether you had met your goal if it was as simple as "reduce expenses"? What would you do if you had a 1% reduction in a month and a 10% reduction in two years?
If you don't have a mechanism to track your progress, you miss out on the satisfaction that comes from knowing you've accomplished something.
Set Attainable Goals
Setting a goal that you have no possibility of meeting will just demoralize you and weaken your trust. However, resist the need to set too easy goals.
At best, accomplishing a goal for which you did not have to work hard might be deflating, and it can even make you fear establishing possible ambitions with a risk of failure.
You strike the right balance by setting both achievable and intimidating goals. These are the types of targets and goals that challenge you to "lift the mark," and they gain the most personal fulfillment by achieving these difficult goals.
Set Relevant Goals
Goals should be central to the direction you pick in your life and job. If you maintain your priorities consistent with this, you'll have the focus you need to get ahead and do what you desire.
Set fragmented and contradicting expectations, and you'll waste your time - and your life.
Set Time-Bound Goals
This implies you'll be able to tell when you've accomplished something. When you have a deadline to meet, your sense of urgency increases, and you will work faster.
The example above is an excellent example of SMART goal setting that will help you get started on developing a successful plan. Before embarking on your life-changing endeavor, you should have every step documented. It will be easier to achieve your goals if you plan them efficiently.
2. Make a Goal Plan
START WITH SET MILESTONES
When you see the outcomes of your hard work, goal setting becomes more meaningful. Setting milestones will assist you in reaching your objectives. A milestone must meet the following conditions in order to be created:
– It's difficult.
– It is feasible to do it within a month.
– It is tangible.
Map out your plan
— Divide your strategy into milestones. These will be bite-sized steps that you can tick off as you progress toward your long-term objective.
You might find this little example useful:
Assume your goal is to find new employment. You may use a plan like this one to help you achieve your goal:
– Determine the type of employment you want.
– Look for potential employers.
– Begin sending applications and keep applying every day.
– The first interview
– Put in your two weeks' notice.
– Congratulations on your new position!
– When you have a plan like this, you'll be able to rapidly start crossing stuff off your list, which will encourage and drive you to keep going until you reach the finish line.
CREATE ACTIONS
If you want to attain your objectives, you must concentrate on doing the appropriate activities. Your actions should include:
Intention - The reason for doing anything.
Value - The advantages that this task provides you.
Cost - What you have to give up or pay in order to obtain that value.
HAVE A REWARD SYSTEM
Setting up a reward system will make it easier to attain your objectives. When you're obtaining the results you want and getting to celebrate them, it'll be easier to set greater and more meaningful goals in the future.
- – Reward yourself whenever you reach a goal.
– Make sure the awards are commensurate with the achievement. For example, just because you apply for a job does not imply that you need to purchase an expensive suit.
SCHEDULE THE TASKS
Plan your actions to keep yourself on track. One approach for remaining on track is to use block scheduling.
However, keep in mind that even the best-laid plans might fall short. Planning around the Planner's fallacy is having a backup plan in mind and being open to the idea of reviewing and adjusting your goals or objectives if you fail.
DON’T GET STUCK IN A PLANNING FALLACY
Plans do not always go as planned. Don't get trapped attempting to impose your idea; instead, go with the flow.
The problem is that when you have a plan, you can become stubborn when it changes. Here is how to avoid it:
– Don't doubt yourself right away.
You're better off adopting two major assumptions: we have some sort of inability to plan correctly, and we're completely unaware of it.
– Take note of your track record.
Overconfidence is one of the obstacles that can arise during planning. When you have hard evidence of what you're capable of, you won't prepare for something you won't be able to do.
– Handle Uncertainty
Worst-case scenario planning: As the expression goes, "plan for the worst" and figure out how to overcome it.
Flexible planning: Instead of focusing on the outcome, you're concentrating on the acts that lead to the outcome.
3. Take Action on Your Goal
The next step is to keep your goals on track. It should be quite straightforward with a strategy, however, consider the following points to make achieving your goals much easier:
START SMALL AND SCHEDULE
There are numerous tools and strategies available to assist you in scheduling chores. Just make sure they correspond to the milestones you've set.
Here are some possibilities for you:
– 19 Best To-Do List Apps to Help You Stay Organised
– 10 Best Calendar Apps for Staying Organised
REVIEW PROGRESS CONSISTENTLY
Make reviewing your development a weekly habit. If you've taken a modest step towards your objective, reward yourself for it. If you did not, think about what you need to do to keep on track.
CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT HELPS YOUR GOAL
If you are in an atmosphere that is impeding your success mentality, you must consider measures to change your environment. Cleaning your desk, allowing more natural light in, and being among various people may be what you need to focus your thoughts on.
Consider the following scenario:
You want to shed 20 pounds in the next six months.
If you tried to get in shape without a plan, you would most likely fail.
However, by creating a positive environment in your home, such as just keeping nutritious foods on hand, you will offer yourself the best chance of success.
Making yourself accountable — possibly by getting your spouse on board with your objective — will help you discover the motivation you require.
If you keep track of your progress and reward yourself whenever you meet one of your incremental goals, you'll have everything you need to reach your weight loss goal.
PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE
While the SMARTER goal system is an excellent approach to creating goals, it is simply the beginning of your journey.
It is in this area that intentional practice can shine.
You have naive practice and intentional practice before deliberate practice.
The majority of people are in naive practice, which meets the following criteria:
You approach your objective as a pastime, something you undertake on occasion.
When you practice, the difficulty level is low. You either raise the bar in little increments or keep doing the same thing. You could, for example, be performing the same song on an instrument or writing the same type of article.
To engage in intentional practice, you must:
Adjust your aim to be more specific. Instead of repeatedly practicing the same song, add a layer of difficulty to it. Assume you'll perform the song several times in a row without making a single error.
4. Maintain Focus on Your Goals
CREATE A SOLID ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM
An accountability system is a reliable technique to ensure that you are dedicated to holding yourself accountable and working towards your goals. It's an added incentive to provide your best effort.
Giving people or yourself updates on your progress, recognizing progress, and celebrating are all examples of further responsibility. This is a critical step in sticking to your goals and, ultimately, reaching them.
Having an accountability partner adds a layer of motivation since the perfect partner will urge you to stay motivated and focused on your goals.
You can also add another level of difficulty by involving money. Paying a close buddy at the end of the week if you don't meet your objective is an excellent motivator.
