Goal Setting Tips | Making Goals You Can Reach

In previous articles we talked about the SMART method of goal setting which include:

S – Specific (or Not Open-ended).
M – Measurable (or Meaningful).
A – Attainable (or Action-oriented).
R – Relevant (or Ownable).
T – Time-bound (or Trackable).

Here are a few more useful goal setting tips to help you set goals you can reach.

GOAL SETTING TIP 1: BE POSITIVE

Part of the reason we write down and look at our goals is to create a set of instructions for our subconscious mind to carry out. Thinking positively in everyday life will also help in your growth as a human being. Don’t limit it to goal setting. Remember to be positive. Goal Setting Tip: when you set a goal you don’t say, “I want to quit smoking.” You would say, “Stop smoking to live a healthier life.”
GOAL SETTING TIP 2: HAVE A MENTAL PICTURE OF YOUR GOAL

It is good to say, “I will live a healthy life”, but to see it mentally we may have to write various sub-goals like, “I want to take karate with my son.” And “I will only eat sweets on the weekend.” This way you make it specific, so you can have a clear mental picture of it, and by having a picture of it in your mind, you can stay focused on your goal.
GOAL SETTING TIP 3: RE-WRITE YOUR GOALS OFTEN

When goals are written and repeatedly re-written they will often have a more substantial impact on our determination to complete a goal. Goal Setting Tip: Sometimes it may help to rephrase it in different words, compact it, add motivating adjectives, make it pithy or rhyming, and continually fine tune your goals.
GOAL SETTING TIP 4: MAKE IT EMOTIONALLY ATTRACTIVE

When it comes to reaching goals and living our dreams, it must be something we really desire to reach, because sometimes it’s really all about motivation. If you set something as a goal and don’t have an emotional attachment, it will often be very difficult to realize. So think through your goals and listen to your instincts. Goal Setting Tip: Ask yourself, “Do I really want to reach this, or is it just some short flight of fancy on my part?”
GOAL SETTING TIP 5: BE CAREFUL IT’S NOT DESTRUCTIVE

When you set a goal try to make sure it doesn’t become destructive to you and those around you. It would be quite selfish to say you want to travel around the world when you know that your partner can’t leave their job, or has to take care of the children. Goal Setting Tip: Your goals should not bring harm to your family and loved ones or the environment in which we live.