Goal setting is all about deciding on the things we want to achieve, keep up, or stay away from (Nair, 2003).
Studies have shown us that just the act of making a goal can boost how well we do in reaching that goal (Latham, & Locke, 2007).
Also, there are a few helpful ways to make setting your personal goals easier and more effective.
One cool method is to remember the word SMART, which stands for a set of guidelines to set your goals (Lawlor, 2012).
Let’s break down what SMART goals mean:
S – Specific: Your goal should be clear and specific.
M – Meaningful: It should be important and valuable to you.
A – Achievable: Ensure your goal is something you can actually attain.
R – Realistic: Your goal should be reasonable, something you can realistically do.
T – Trackable: You should be able to measure your progress towards the goal.
By keeping these points in mind, you will be able to set goals that are clear, important to you, achievable, reasonable, and measurable.
This can make it easier for you to focus on your goal setting and work towards what you really want to achieve.
Remember, setting a goal is just the first step in turning the invisible into the visible!
Effective Tips to Achieve Personal Goals
Achieving personal goals can be easier and more rewarding when you follow these straightforward tips.
Let’s jump in and have a look at how you can set goals that are both challenging and meaningful, and how to commit to them effectively.
Challenge Yourself, But Be Realistic
Aim for Challenging Goals: Choose goals that are going to push you a bit, but are still within your reach.
This balance will motivate you to stretch your abilities.
Your Goals Should Resonate with You
Select Meaningful Goals: It’s crucial to choose goals that truly resonate with you.
Block out external influences like friends, family, or societal expectations temporarily.
Reflect on what’s genuinely important to you. Goals that come from your heart are going to be a lot easier for you to stick with.
Commit to Your Goal
A firm commitment is a must: Committing to your goal, whether you put it in writing or by simply sharing it with others, will increase your likelihood of following it through.
You wouldn’t want to let yourself or others down, would you?
Now that you know how to choose and commit to goals, let’s think about what makes a goal right for you.
Remember, it’s all about your needs and values.
Needs and Values in Goal Setting
Our Needs Drive Our Goals: It’s thought that our needs are what drive and motivate us in our goal setting (Greene, & Burke, 2007).
When a goal addresses an unmet need, sticking to it becomes more likely.
What do you really need in your life right now?
Ryff’s Six Factors: We’ll have a quick look at Ryff’s theory (Ryff, 1989) to understand this better.
This theory combines several ideas about human needs into six key experiences that we all seek:
Positive relationships with others: We crave warm, trusting, and loving connections with others.
Self-acceptance: It’s important for us to feel good about who we are.
Autonomy: We desire the freedom to guide our actions, make our own decisions, and have freedom.
Environmental mastery: We aim to have the ability to alter our environment and advance in the world.
Personal growth: We have a need to learn and grow as a person.
Life purpose: We have an urge to continually learn and evolve as individuals.
These six experiences are universal desires that each of us strives for.
They are excellent guides for setting goals that are not just goals but pathways to fulfilling our deepest needs and values.
By aligning your goals with these experiences, you can set yourself up for meaningful and impactful achievements.
Understanding How Personal Values Shape Your Goals
When you start your goal setting with personal goals, it’s crucial to think about your values.
Goals that don’t align with your core values can lead to struggle and a sense of conflict within yourself.
Start by identifying which values matter most to you from the list below.
Your Personal Values Checklist:
Authenticity: Being true to yourself.
Adventure: Seeking new and exciting experiences.
Balance: Finding harmony in your life.
Bravery: Showing courage.
Compassion: Caring deeply for others.
Challenge: Taking on difficult tasks.
Citizenship: Being a responsible member of your community.
Community: Valuing connections with others.
Creativity: Expressing yourself uniquely.
Curiosity: Having a strong desire to learn or know more.
Determination: Not giving up easily.
Fairness: Treating people equally and justly.
Freedom: Valuing independence.
Friendships: Building strong relationships.
Fun: Enjoying life.
Generosity: Giving to others.
Growth: Improving yourself.
Honesty: Being truthful.
Influence: Having an impact on others.
Justice: Ensuring what's right is done.
Kindness: Being friendly and considerate.
Knowledge: Learning and understanding things.
Leadership: Guiding others.
Learning: Acquiring new skills or knowledge.
Love: Caring deeply for someone.
Loyalty: Being faithful.
Openness: Being receptive to new experiences.
Optimism: Seeing the bright side.
Recognition: Receiving acknowledgment.
Respect: Showing consideration.
Responsibility: Being dependable.
Security: Feeling safe and stable.
Self-Respect: Valuing yourself.
Social Connection: Being part of a community.
Spirituality: Having religious or spiritual beliefs.
Stability: Having consistency in life.
Status: Gaining social or professional standing.
Wealth: Accumulating material riches.
Wisdom: Having experience and insight.Whenever you’re setting a goal, ask yourself if it aligns with these important values of yours.
If a goal conflicts with what you truly value, it might be worth reconsidering.
Remember, the best goals are those that reflect your deepest values and beliefs.
Staying True to Your Goals
After setting your goals, using certain strategies can help you stay focused and on track.
These simple tips can guide you in sticking to your goals effectively:
Keep Track of Your Progress
Monitor Your Journey: Keep a record of your progress.
Seeing how far you’ve come can be a great motivator.
Be Flexible with Long-Term Goals
Adapt Your Goal Setting: Remember, it’s okay if your goals evolve over time.
Regularly review and adjust them to ensure they still align with where you want to go.
Plan for the Future
Develop a 5 or 10-Year Vision: Think about how your current goals can pave the way for your future.
A 5 or 10-year plan can help you focus on long-term success and avoid being too caught up in short-term gains.
Break Down Your Goals
Divide into Manageable Steps: Splitting your goals into smaller, achievable parts makes the process less overwhelming and more manageable.
This approach can boost your confidence in reaching your objectives.
Map Out a Timeline
Set a Timeline: Try to estimate the time needed for each small step of your goal.
Plot these on a calendar to get an overview of the journey to your larger goal. Use this timeline as a roadmap to keep you moving forward.
Setting and following through with personal goals is a key step in achieving the things you want in life.
References
● Greene, L., & Burke, G. (2007). Beyond self-actualization. Journal of Health and Human Services Administration, 116-128.
● Latham, G. P., & Locke, E. A. (2007). New developments in and directions for goal setting research. European Psychologist, 12(4), 290-300.
● Lawlor, K. B. (2012). Smart goals: How the application of smart goals can contribute to achievement of student learning outcomes. In Developments in business simulation and experiential learning: Proceedings of the annual ABSEL conference (Vol. 39).
● Nair, K. S. (2003). Life goals: the concept and its relevance to rehabilitation. Clinical Rehabilitation, 17(2), 192-202.
● Ryff, C. D. (1989). Happiness is everything, or is it? Explorations on the meaning of psychological well-being. Journal of personality and social psychology, 57(6), 1069.
