Proper Goal Setting Is Essential

Goal setting is not as simple as choosing something you want and charging ahead. Although such ambition would be commendable, undirected motivation can easily lead to failure. Proper goal setting is an essential key to success.

First you should establish which goals are long-term in nature (i.e., lifetime goals), and which ones are short-term. Goal setting isn't only about selecting a destination – it's about setting an exact blueprint that will actually lead you to that destination. If you were stranded in an expansive forest, you could go in circles for hours without ever finding your way out without a compass. Goal setting is your compass; instead of just wishing you could escape the forest you'll use a set of tools to ensure you do.

Goal Setting: Learning How To Walk

Nearly any significant long-term goal will need to be achieved through a series of smaller steps. The simplest of examples is a baby. Before he can race around the house he must:

  • Observe his parents and surroundings. Their actions will influence his behavior and goals.
  • Attempt to stand up, even for a short duration of time.
  • Develop a sense of balance so that he can stand up for long durations of time.
  • Place one step forward before falling.
  • Continue practicing the forward motion until he eventually learns how to walk.

Although many of us don't really analyze this parental tradition, a child is actually engaging in goal setting, whether knowingly or unconsciously. Each successive accomplishment further motivates the baby to continue towards his long-term goal of walking. This motivation helps fuel his desire even during the many trips, falls and failures.

Long-term goals need to be further broken down into achievable steps, or smaller goals, in order for success to be achieved. For example, if I wanted to start my own family-run restaurant I might have to:

  • Go to culinary school in order to learn how to cook and the business in general.
  • Use this knowledge to develop a general business plan. What type of food do I want to serve? Who are my target customers?
  • Obtain the funding necessary to start my own establishment.
  • Acquire the necessary business licenses.
  • Find a good location for my restaurant.
  • Prepare for opening day by developing the menu, adding the interior décor, etc.
  • Hire the staff needed to run the place.
  • Develop my promotional plans so people know I exist.
  • And more!

Of course the above is just a quick example of what might go into a long-term goal. Were I actually setting goals to help achieve a dream of owning a restaurant I would probably be breaking the above smaller goals into even smaller mini-goals!

Goal setting also requires that you prioritize your desires so that you don't inadvertently sabotage all your efforts. Let's say I am working a full-time job. In addition to this I would like to do the following in the next six months:

  • Learn a new foreign language.
  • Attend evening college classes to learn essential computer skills.
  • Develop a secondary income stream.
  • Start working out at the gym at least one hour every day.
  • Spend more time with my family.

Hmmm, although all of the above goals are definitely important, I would have a tough time trying to juggle them all simultaneously, wouldn't I? If I did try to meet each of the above goals simultaneously I would probably be so divided that I would fail at them all.

Goal setting requires that you not only break long-term goals into obtainable smaller steps, but that you also prioritize your goals so that your time, effort and motivation isn't stretched so thin that you place all your goals in jeopardy.

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