The Truth about Successful Goal Setting - Activfirst
So it seems like these days social media feeds are full of grandiose goal setting proclamations! But do people lay the correct foundations for successful goal setting?
This got us thinking!
We have stepped aboard the Self Improvement band wagon and pooled our collective resources to create a list of top tips for effective goal setting!
Set Realistic Goals
This was a unanimous suggestion from the team. It’s so important to set realistic goals. We recommend using the #SMART tool to help achieve this.
What makes a goal #SMART ?
- Specific – What exactly do you want to achieve? The more specific your description, the bigger the chance you’ll get exactly that.
- Measurable – It means breaking your goal down into measurable elements. By defining any physical manifestations of your goal or objective, you make it clearer and easier to reach.
- Achievable – You weigh the effort, time and other costs your goal will take against the profits and the other obligations and priorities you have in life.
- Relevant – The main questions, why do you want to reach this goal? What is the objective behind the goal, and will this goal really achieve that?
- Timely – Everybody knows that deadlines are what makes most people switch to action. So, install deadlines, for yourself and your team, and go after them.
Check out this great resource for further help with SMART goal setting.
Limit your Goals
We would suggest setting no more than 3 goals at a time. When goal setting it is vital to avoid overwhelm. Achievement and overwhelm are not to be confused with one another; in the long run it is better to make headway little and often as opposed to setting yourself up for a fall. Goal setting should be a fun activity, something that will keep you on track and that you won’t be akin to a chore. The key to achieving your goals is consistency and focus.
Write your Goals Down
Refer to the #SMART section above to help with this step. Write your goals with full intent to achieve them. Purchase a beautiful notebook, or create a PowerPoint presentation – Whatever works best for you! Take pride in the presentation and creation of your goals. This will encourage you to revisit your quantified goals frequently.
Display Them
Have your goals in full view to remind you of them every day; in this way you can hold yourself accountable whilst once again taking pride in your goals. You could even create a Vision Board as a reminder to yourself of the positive outcomes after achieving your aspirations and how the results will enrich your life.
To Tell or Not to Tell?
To tell or not to tell that is the question, and a topic that has sparked much debate among self-help and scientific communities alike. Whilst it is highly recommended to write down your goals and say them aloud to yourself often; how beneficial is it to tell your peers?
By stating your goals out loud to those around you, your brain receives the same chemical buzz as if you have already achieved said goal, making it less likely that you will work towards physically achieving it. This is the effect of “social reality” – aka having your goal acknowledged results in a rush of reward hormones, a sense of achievement and a massive binge session of your favourite TV show…and no notable progress made towards your goals.
For further information / studies and to read both sides of the debate check out Psychology24’s article.
As always, we hope that this has been a helpful and informative read regarding Successful Goal Setting! If you enjoyed this post you may also be interested in our expert tips to help you learn a new skill.