Goal setting is the process of identifying something that you want to accomplish which is the object of your ambition or effort; and establishing measurable efforts and timeframes.
Goal setting is probably one of the most important habits anyone that would succeed must adopt as a lifestyle. It’s usually done before or immediately after the commencement of a new season such as a new calendar year, birthdates, new career level or new academic year; after the end of a season and at the beginning of another.
Why?
No one sets out on a journey without the destination in focus. It determines everything about that journey. Goal setting is the identification or determination of the destination upon the commencement of any particular life’s journey. It entails the road map, routes, means and how to get there.
Every new season or level is usually accompanied with new targets, goals and objectives. This is so because there is season for everything and the achievement of anything is made possible when it’s kept in focus and actively worked towards. So for every new season, focus ought to be realigned to the object being aimed for attainment. One pivotal way to do this is through goal-setting.
Who should set goals?
Kids from ages 5
Teenagers
Young adults
Adults
Everyone!!!
Benefits
Goal setting is pivotal to success and achievement of anything in life even from very young age.
It gives your life focus, direction and motivation
Goal setting allows you to take control of the direction of your life and the organization of your time and resources.
It also provides you a benchmark for determining whether you are actually succeeding.
It’s a good measure of success. Success is a subjective term as we all value different achievements in different ways. Your definition of success is in your set goals and the measurement of your success is the achievement of your set goals.
When we achieve some mileage on our set goals, it boosts confidence and motivates to set even more audacious goals.
However on the other hand, if we don’t see progress or achievement of goals, it leads to frustration and eventual giving up on the dream. But it’s important to note that at this instance, the problem isn’t with the goals but how it’s set.
Steps
Identify what you want to achieve in your lifetime by creating the big picture
Break it down into smaller targets that would eventually add up to the big picture achievable in short, medium and long term
Subject it to the SMART test
It must be..
S – specific
M – measurable
A – attainable
R – relevant
T – time-bound
Write it down
Plan steps and actions you’ll take daily, weekly and monthly to ultimately attain your goals
Tick them off as you achieve them
Do periodical evaluation of your set action plans and actual actions being taken. Make adjustments as deemed necessary.
Have you set your goal yet, if not please do. If a parent/guardian teach your children/wards the importance and steps of goal setting. Do it together today and share your experiences.
We set out with our children to draw our vision boards for 2022 and one of the first things we had to do was to review our 2021 goals set, how we fared, lessons learnt, and what to do better this time around. It was such an inspiring session to see we achieved quite a mileage and a spur to even aspire for more in 2022. I shared this with you so you know that you run better and swifter when the vision is written and made plain.
Go on, set your goal and teach your young ones to do same.
Thank you!
