DARE TO DREAM
BY MICHELLE HOPE
Goal setting can help you achieve those things in life you desire and that are important to you, but you need to have a plan to be successful in achieving them. Goals are dreams with deadlines…. You can have the life you wish for if you take the steps to make it happen, remain positive, be pro-active and never give up.
SET CLEAR CONCISE GOALS:
Where to start?
What is your dream? Take the time to think about what you want for you, your life and your family. Be specific. Steve and I set a goal to create a work/lifestyle balance that suits our individual and family needs, which we both now enjoy.
Think about where you would like to be in one year, five years, ten years, what does that look like? What would you like to be doing? Be realistic, but do not forget to dream as well. Writing those answers down is helpful so you can visualise your dreams. Keep a positive mindset and language. Why do you want to achieve this goal?
MEASUREABLE GOALS GIVE YOU THE ABILITY TO TRACK YOUR PROGRESS:
What is next?
How will you get there? What are the steps? What are your priorities? Gather the information you need to make educated decisions. Remember to have a plan and make it achievable, keep breaking the larger goal down into doable tasks. How will you know if you have reached your goal? What are the indicators that show your progress?
ACHIEVABLE GOALS NEED TO BE CHALLENGING AS WELL:
Time to act!
What do you need to do? What are your immediate short-term goals? What acquires your attention today, this week? Have a To Do List and cross off your tasks as you achieve them, this requires action. Be efficient.
What are your medium-term goals? How can you stay motivated to achieve them, step by precious step? Challenge yourself but make sure its achievable. Do you have all the resources you need to accomplish this target in the required time frame you have set yourself?
RELEVENT GOALS THAT FIT IN WITH YOUR OVERALL LIFE PLAN:
Stay the course:
Goals are very individual; they need to be realistic and relevant to you. Are they within reach and fit in with your overall purpose in life? Are you fully committed to reaching the results you wish for? Focus your efforts on the outcome. If goals are realistic, and important to you than you will find it easier to stick with the smaller tasks while working toward success.
TIMEBOUND TARGETS:
Set a start and end date:
Goals need to have a time frame attached to them. Set one so you stay accountable to yourself. When will this goal be achieved? Record it so you can visualise your achievements. Are you on track? What progress are you making? Have regular reviews to see how you are going and then again annually. This will help you stay motivated.
BE GOAL “SMART:
Finally, review your plans, and make sure they fit in with the way in which you wish to live your life. Achieving your goals will give you an enormous sense of satisfaction and fulfilment in your life. It will boost your self-confidence. You will live a life that you have chosen and there will be no regrets at the end of your life. All the best!