How to set effective goals
If you want to succeed, you need goals. And what better time to think about setting goals than at now - at the start of a new year. The possibilities of this new year are endless, so take advantage of them and seize the day by setting yourself some concrete goals on what you want to achieve this year.
Without having clear goals you will lack focus and direction. The act of goal setting not only allows you to take control of your life’s direction but provides you with a means of determining if you are actually succeeding in the way you desire!
But to accomplish your goals, you need to first know how to set effective goals. There’s much more to achieving a goal than just saying “I want this” and expecting it to happen.
So how do you set effective goals? Here are a few tips…
1. Evaluate and reflect.
You can’t set effective goals for yourself based on where you want to go if you don’t first evaluate where you are currently. Take some time to think through and write down your current situation and your thoughts on it. Determine what you are happy with, what you want to improve, where you need to go etc. This gives you a perfect starting point to set effective, relevant and achievable goals.
2. Set SMART Goals.
Make sure you set goals that are SMART:
Specific
Measureable
Attainable
Relevant
Time Bound
Using the SMART principle ensure you set effective goals that are relevant to you and realistic so you are more likely to stick with them and succeed!
3. Write them down!
A golden rule of setting effective goals is to write them down! In plain sight, where you will see them EVERYDAY! Because the act of writing your goals down make it real and tangible. It holds you accountable, so you have no excuse for forgetting about it. We love writing ours out on our Justick Mini Whiteboard – keeps them organised and in plain sight.
(Image via: @calmlykaotic)
4. Look at them daily.
Leading on from rule number three; have your goals WRITTEN out in a place you will revisit daily! It’s said that it takes 21 days to form a habit, so if you stick with something for long enough and persevere, you will achieve it! Same goes for your goals, if you revisit them daily, you will remain motivated to achieve them. So display them somewhere you can read and review them daily – like on a Justick Mini which can be easily hung in the kitchen, bedroom or study!
(Image via: Mandy Nolan)
5. Make an action plan.
Stay focused and on track to achieving your goals by crafting an action plan. This could include anything from setting deadlines for tasks on a calendar or breaking down goals through mind-mapping to help you understand the small steps you need to take along the way to achieve each goal.
You can buy yourself a Justick here and start setting & achieving your new year goals! Make sure you share with us how your setting and smashing your goals using your Justick by using #justickaustralia.