Goals: One Bite at a Time!
We set goals because we want to achieve them and one of the biggest challenges regarding setting goals and attaining them, is to keep at it, as it may seem overwhelming. We all want to accomplish things in life but setting goals that are too general is going to make it difficult to accomplish them and it is also going to be difficult to measure your progress. The best approach is to break big goals into bite-size chunks.
Think of the chunks as action items. These actions are measurable units that you put to milestones. You need to set them up in a way that holds you accountable. Otherwise, they will not get accomplished.
Write it down!
Write your goals and action steps down on paper. Put it in a place where you can view it every single day. It is okay to record them electronically as well, it’s down to personal preference.
If you feel you can succeed with just one or the other, that is the way to go however putting pen to paper, writing by hand is shown to increase memory and retaining the thought pathway that got you there. It also involves more senses and motor neurons than when typing, thereby locking it in your mind.
Dream Big, Set Goals, Stay Realistic!
It’s okay to dream big with your goals but be realistic about accomplishing them. When you break your goals down into action steps and find they are not within your ability or skill set to accomplish within the specified periods, rework them until you find the right mix of actions. Making the goals and actions too difficult will set yourself up for disappointment when not being able to accomplish them.
Evaluating how well you accomplish the action steps will go a long way in helping you meet these goals. The set of bite-size actions will get you where you want to be. If you find you are stumbling on some of your action items, determine why and see if you can get back on track. It is at this point you can recognise that you were too aggressive with the plan, and this will enable you to seek alternatives.
Move ahead with your actions and keep going. Understand that roadblocks are a natural part of the process. If something worthwhile was easy, you would not need to set goals to accomplish it, and everyone would be doing it. It probably will not be worth it either. Overcoming obstacles give people a sense of accomplishment, and it can help us grow.
Setting goals is important. But creating action items related to those goals is the key to making them a reality. It is much easier to perform smaller chunks of work than it is to wing it towards whatever goal you are striving for without a clear action plan.
Remember step, by clearly defined step….makes the whole journey easier and faster to reach that destination.
Learn how to: Tips for Setting Life Changing Goals