How To Set Goals More Effectively

According to Jason Fried, the founder and CEO of Basecamp and also the author of the best selling book, Redwork, he had never set a goal in his life. He said, “A goal is something that goes away when you hit it. Once you’ve reached it, it’s gone. You could always set another one, but I just don’t function in steps like that”. What does he really mean? You may ask. An achieved goal can leave you empty especially when you had no reason of setting them in the first place. Let’s look at some more effective ways of setting goals that will give you that sense of accomplishment you so desire.

Understand the “why” behind your goals

“Goals are a great way to understand what we want”, says the founder of Jotform, Aytekin Tank. Now the real question is “Why do we set goals”. This is where we have to deeply search our hearts for reasons why we set those goals, is it for self improvement, confidence boost, successful life, increased profits, freedom or, as a revenge game? It is only when we are able to know the “why” behind each goals we set, will they truly have a positive impact in our lives. For example, you may set a goal to start your own business before the year runs out. Why do you want to start your business? Do you desire freedom? Do you love to be independent? Do you want to join the entrepreneur’s clique? You have to find out why, for better clarity of your goals as this would affect the way you feel after achieving them and will spur you to set the next goal.

Set your priorities

Know exactly what you want. You have ten fingers, but you can’t conveniently grab ten things with them. “You can do anything, but you can’t do everything”. Trying to achieve a thousand things at a go will definitely leave you exhausted even before you map out your plans. Rather, pick a goal to focus solely on and see it through till its accomplishment.

Have a system of approach

These are laid down rules and processes of how you tend to achieve your set goals. Determine the process you feel is possible to follow and stick to it. For example, if you have set a goal to write a 60,000 word book, you have to incorporate a writing schedule to follow every week. You cannot skip this schedule for whatever reason. You have to remember that goals only set the direction, but the system you adopt will build progress.

Keep improving your goals

Even when you believe you have achieved your set goals, there is definitely still room for improvement. This is what separates learning organisations from the rest, because, they are all about continuous improvement. Staying on top trends and training employees to be able to easy assimilate organisational change. For example, after building a website or an app, you must keep improving it by taking out bugs or adding new features while making sure you get feedback from your users. There is no finish line I setting a goal, it’s a continuous race.

Believe in the power of sequential effort

You must have heard this saying, “Rome was not built in a day”. This is the power of compound returns. Warren Buffet, one of the richest men in the world acquired about 99% of his net worth way after the celebration of his golden jubilee. Little drops of water still make a mighty ocean. Overnight success might be attractive, but daily efforts still makes a difference in business. Don’t be too quick in achieving all you have planned, remember your baby steps and persevere.

When you do all these, there is a better expectation as well as a sense of accomplishment when you achieve your goals.

Source: https://maureenisaiah.blogspot.com.ng/2018/04/effective-ways-of-setting-goals.html