WriteDesign On-Line - Goal Setting

Goal Setting

goal: 1. the result or achievement toward which effort is directed; aim; end. 2. the terminal point in a race. 3. a pole, line, or other marker by which such a point is indicated. 4. an area, basket, cage, or other object or structure toward or into which players of various games attempt to throw, carry, kick, hit, or drive a ball, puck, etc., to score a point or points. 5. the act of throwing, carrying, kicking, driving, etc., a ball or puck into such an area or object. 6. the score made by this act. - Syn. 1. target; purpose, object, objective, intent, intention. 2. finish (Webster's, p 621)

goal: objective, object, aim, end, destination, mark, pursuit, object in mind, end in view; target, bull's-eye, quintain; quarry, prey, game; reason for being, raison d'être [Fr]; by-purpose, by-end; final cause, ultimate aim, "the be-all and the end-all" [Shakespeare] (Chapman, p. 500)

Goal setting is one of the most important ongoing tasks we face in life. Setting realistic goals that serve a purpose with realistic deadlines usually results in, dare I say it, a form of success. Be warned, construct your goals carefully. Too often we set really great goals and go through the steps that lead to their accomplishment, only to find out that "what we wished for was not what we wanted," and sometimes those outcomes are much better than we expected.

In "A New Look At Goal Setting," by Jon Richards, "Publisher of NoteWorthy Newsletter," the author goes beyond setting goals and looks at finding a purpose in your life. After reading his piece I would agree that a purpose in life is more meaningful than merely achieving a short-term goal. Without negating the point of this particular exercise, I'll say that before you can find a purpose in life, you probably need to first learn how to set goals.

According to most of the links listed below there are some basic steps involved in setting goals. They include:

Specify a goal or a set of goals that you want to achieve.
Identify the characteristics of success for the goals you specified.
Record a baseline (how long is it going to take?)
Reassess your goals.
How are you going to achieve your goals?
Choose your reinforcers (what is the reward for meeting your daily goals?)
Record your progress.
Analyze your progress and make improvements.
Reward your successes and be realistic about falling short.
Once you've reached a goal - set a new one.

There are many ways to approach goal setting and the following are links to sites that either provide the steps or insight into creating worthwhile goals.

Goal-Setting for the Serious Writer
This is a reality check about getting published, but if you can get past the "1 person in 50,000 would-be writers will sell a book," you should find some useful tips on goal setting.

Motivation And Goal Setting Worksheet
This worksheet, designed by Counseling Services at the University of Victoria, is aimed setting life goals. It might be worth a look.

Take the Work Out of Goal Setting
Provides a few techniques that should make it easier and more fun to set goals, both in your business life and your personal life, and learn a little more about yourself in the process.

This message was sent to me by my mother. My mother is always right and I always listen to her advice. Perhaps you would be wise to do the same.

In this world, persisting toward a goal requires either a want or a will.

When you want something--when you act out of desire--you depend upon feelings of motivation, interest, or excitement to carry you past problems to your goal. You don't need will.

When you will something--when you act out of duty, commitment, loyalty, or integrity--you depend only upon your power to act. You don't need motivation. You persist because it is the right thing to do, or because of the consequences of not doing it, or simply because it needs doing. You call upon the sleeping giant within you, the power of your will.

Motivation is a welcome wind at your back. But winds are changeable and fickle; motivation comes and goes.

Will is a faithful friend, at your side in both sunlit days and dark nights of the soul, speaking quietly of what is important and good. You can depend upon your will, because it comes from within you.

So sail the winds of motivation when they blow, but in the calms and dry spells, rely on your will to carry you through.

So set goals that move and inspire you because there are no unmotivated people, only unchallenging goals. Make your goals believable and exciting--and make sure that they challenge you without discouraging you. Set goals for health and vitality, and for improving relationships and character.

Lackluster goals will remain on the shelf like a bad book. But powerful goals will ignite your hottest fires so that you get them done...NOW!