Six Simple Factors for Successful Goal Setting

Are you sure you’re setting the right goals?

Believe it or not, one of the reasons why you are failing with your goals is that you aren’t aware how to set them up properly. You see, there are factors that’ll determine if your goals are achievable or not. If you don’t have any idea about those factors, the process of working towards your goals can be twice as hard.

So, how should you do it?

Below are 6 simple factors you need to consider when setting your goals.

It’s conceivable

If you can think it, you can likely achieve it.

The first task in goal setting is to clearly visualize what you want to achieve.You need to have a vision of what you really want. Spend time considering your goals and then burn them into your mind. Once there, the chances of success increase significantly.

It has to be believable

After conceiving a goal, your excitement runs high. You can see the things you want to gain and with a large dose of enthusiasm, you set out to get them.

But something terrible can happen along the way – you allow others to tell you that you can’t do it.

It only takes one or two negative people to put doubt in your mind. An often inaccurate belief system kicks in and you start believing you can’t do it either. Old tapes play in your head- the tapes that say you are not worthy or smart enough to have what you want.

Learn to replace these lies with the truth that you are worthy to have whatever you conceive. Believe in your goal because you breathed life into it when you imagined it.

It must be achievable

Successful goal setting is about achievement. The goals you set are intended to be achieved. To do so, be certain to make them achievable. This starts with being realistic.

Even though you have conceived a goal and you believe in its value (and in yourself), you have to be practical and put together a plan to attain it. The expression, “You can’t eat an elephant in one bite” is especially true in the context of goal setting.

Make a plan to eat the whole elephant (your goal), but begin by taking small, deliberate and calculated bites. See the whole picture first and then put together this plan with the knowledge gained from past experiences.

When an obstacle lands in your path, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Just as there are some negative people in your life, there are also well-meaning people who care about your success. Reach out to these people and allow them to be a positive, helpful influence.

It must be measurable

Goals need to be specific and measurable so you can gauge your progress and know when a goal has been met. Asking questions like provide the most common units of measure when assessing goal completion.

If you are a freelance writer, for example, a measurable goal might be something like, “I want to publish two articles in Vanity Fair and GQ by May 1.”

This measurable goal has three important parts- how many articles you need, where the articles are to be published, and a timeline for completion.

In this example, the writer will know exactly when the goal is accomplished. Measurable goals not only provide direction but they also give closure so you will know when to move on to the next one.

It must be stated with no alternatives

In war, when lives are at stake, there is no alternative to victory. Seldom is there the same life and death consequence in the business world, but the stakes can feel just as high sometimes.

When setting a goal, it must be stated with a firm “all-or-nothing” way of thinking. A soft goal isn’t really a goal at all – it’s a hope. You can hope to be successful or you can plan to be successful. Setting goals with no alternatives leads to the success you deserve.

It must be something you want to do

At the end of the day, successful goal setting is about passion. If you have passion for a goal, then you are more likely to accomplish it. Your passion gives you the energy to keep moving forward in spite of the negative voices you hear or the obstacles you encounter.

Generally, people don’t do anything until they are ready. When setting a goal, if your attitude is anything less than passionate, then you have probably set the wrong goal.

How do you know if you have passion for a goal?

The answer is simple: Make a list of the major goals you want to accomplish. The one that jumps off the page and lands right in the middle of your heart is something you may want to do.

Believe in this one. Make a plan to achieve it. Measure your progress as you go and be resolute that there are no alternatives. When you do, you have mastered the simple factors of successful goal setting.

 See Also: 4 Cheesy But Effective Tips To Set Goals And Achieve Them

Written by Alex Blackwell, a writer for The BridgeMaker, an honestly-written blog about faith, inspiration and personal change. To receive twice-weekly articles subscribe here.