NO MATTER HOW well we’re doing, there’s always the potential to push ourselves a little bit harder and get out of our comfort zones.
That’s where goals come in.
Of course, you probably know all about those SMART goals already, right? But there’s more to setting a goal than that and to push your success to the next level, you need to go beyond mere goal-setting.
Don’t worry – here are all the tips and hints you need to do that.
Here’s a quick recap of what a SMART goal is, just in case you need a refresher. It’s a goal that is:
How does setting this kind of goal help you? It makes your success measurable, so you can see if you met or even exceeded your target or if you were unrealistic in your expectations of what you could accomplish.
Smart, eh?
Hardly anybody likes to get up early (ok, there are a few, but they’re in the minority, we’re sure) but one thing all successful people seem to have in common is they get up really early to tackle their goals head on.
What do Howard Schultz (CEO of Starbucks), Richard Branson (CEO of Virgin) and Anna Wintour (editor of Vogue) all do? They get up at 5.45am or earlier to get a head start on the day – and that goal list.
Make yourself accountable for your goal by telling family and friends about it. Not only will you have their invaluable support, but it’ll also make sure you stick to your word. No one wants to be a spoofer, after all. Feedback is also essential for many people’s goals, so make sure to ask someone who you trust how they think you’re progressing.
OK, maybe daily is a big ask – although it might be required for some goals. But allot and dedicate time to achieving your goals. Maybe that’s one midweek evening per week, or every night before bed. For many of us, it could be something as simple as setting aside 20 minutes at lunchtime to learn verbs on Duolingo, or making sure to get in a brisk walk at least three times a week. Whatever your goal is and whatever its size: spend the time on it.
Take stock of how you’re getting on regularly. Keep a log of your activities and your progress if that helps. Make sure you check in with yourself. (And there’s no harm at all in changing your timelines and making sure your goals remain realistic if things change along the way).
There is no magic formula for achieving goals. Although these tips will help, the key to knocking goals off your list lies with you – it’s the drive and hard work that will ultimately see you through. And that’s one thing that can’t be faked.
Apply for Nissan Generation Next 2016 and you could win a brand new, taxed and insured Nissan to drive for a year to get ahead on your journey to success. From start-up entrepreneurs to social innovators, to sports stars, musicians and writers, we want to find future Irish leaders and champions and help them achieve their goals.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say