Goal-Setting Tip #12

Write goals as outcomes, rather than processes. Roy Lantz says that the way to phrase a good goal is to say what you want the outcome to be. So, Lantz says, "'Learn to speak Spanish' is not as effective as 'I converse easily in Spanish.'" He also recommends phrasing your goal positively. Saying "'I am a non-smoker,'" he says, "is more powerful than, 'I don't smoke anymore.'" You can then chop the goal into more manageable pieces (if needed) and get to work. As you work on the goal, focusing on your intended outcome (while performing the manageable pieces) will give you energy and enthusiasm.

Goal-Setting Tip #11

Allow your goals to teach you. Mindtools.com says the following: "If you learned something that would lead you to change other goals, do so... Failure to meet goals does not matter as long as you learn from it. Feed lessons learned back into your goal-setting program." If you decide you need to learn new skills or improve your current skills in order to achieve your desired goal, decide how to do so before re-setting the related goal. You may need to read a book, talk to an expert, or perhaps take a class.

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Goal-Setting Tip #10

I suggest that you choose your goals carefully. When setting any goal, ask yourself what it is you really want and why you want it. Teresa Ryan asks: "What is the real purpose behind it and what will that mean to you? Are you truly willing to make the effort?" If you're not, then choose a different goal or modify your current goal so it's workable, as well as important to you.

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Goal-Setting Tip #9

Goal-setting tip nine is to make reminders for yourself of your goals. You can do this many ways: from simply taping up a note on your bathroom mirror, to setting up reminders in your email or handheld device, or asking a friend to check in on you regularly. Whichever way works for you, just do it-- reminders will keep you on your toes!

Goal-Setting Tip #8

Remember to award yourself when you achieve your goals!

Take the time to enjoy the satisfaction of having achieved the goal. Absorb the implications of the goal achievement, and observe the progress you have made towards other goals. If the goal was a significant one, or one that you had worked towards for some time, take the opportunity to reward yourself appropriately. (Source: http://www.smc.qld.edu.au/goals.htm.)

When we achieve significant goals and then reward ourselves, it's motivating! So, don't forget to pat yourself on the back when your hard work pays off!

Challenge: Decide on a reward for your current goal(s) and then treat yourself when you succeed.

Goal-Setting Tip #7

This week, I am recommending that you set academic goals. If you are a student, academic goals can help you excel. To find out how to set academic goals, see About.com's academic goal page.

Challenge: As this is the beginning of the school year, sit down and write some academic goals to chart your course.

Goal-Setting Tip #6

This week the tip is to track your goals. There are various ways of goal tracking listed in this prior post. As I wrote there, no matter what method you use, make sure it works and to actually follow through.

Challenge: Track your goals this following week and then reward yourself for a job well done when you're successful.

Goal-Setting Tip #5

This week's goalsetting tip is to set a time-frame. When you're setting you're goals, make sure to set the length of the task (e.g., "I will exercise 60 minutes each day" or "I will write in my journal once daily") and the deadline (e.g., "I will exercise 60 minutes each day for the next 30 days).

Challenge: Review or write some goals and make sure to set your time-frame.

Goal-Setting tip #4

This weeks goal-setting tip is to make your goals realistic. When you're setting goals, ask yourself if the goal is something you can realistically acheive. If not, reassess the goal: 1) make it easier (maybe exercising 20 minutes three times a week rather than an hour seven days a week) or 2) get others to support you (for instance, can you find an exercising buddy?) or 3) if all else fails, decide on a goal that works better for you (for instance, I just don't like aerobic exercise, so instead of a workout tape, I could switch to a nice walk).

Challenge: Write or reassess your goal(s) and make them more realistic.

Goal-Setting Tip #3

This week's tip is to make your goals achieveable. Choose goals that you know you can accomplish. If you have a large, slightly overwhelming goal, cut it down to manageable chunks so you can get it done! I think that may be why a lot of us fail at our New Year's resolutions: we set unrealistic goals.

Challenge: Review or set some goals and make them achieveable!

Goal-Setting Tip #2

This week's tip is to make your goals measureable. Can you easily measure that you have completed your goals? You can do this by setting an amount of time (one hour daily, for example), pages to read, laps to run, etc. All of my goals have a measureable aspect to them so I can easily figure out if I actually did them.

Challenge: Review or write some goals and decide how you can make each one easily measureable.

Goal-Setting Tip #1

This week's goal-setting tip is to be specific. When you write goals, be precise about exactly what you want. For example, one of my goals is to clean one area of my room daily. This is a lot more specific than just "keep my room clean." How can you make one of your goals more specific?