The Three Vital Parts Every Goal Must Have

There are goals and then there are goals. There are the type of goals that are loosely worded, poorly planned and with non-specific timescales

Then there are goals with clear statements, meticulous plans and achievable deadlines. Which type are you aiming for?

Here are the three essentials that ensure that the only thing that's going to let you down in your progress is you and not your goals.

  1. A clear statement. Write down your goal in simple words that clearly state what it is. Describe it fully so that when you focus on it, you know exactly what you are aiming for. If it is a new car, for example, note down the make, model, color, extras and even the fabric on the seats. Make it real in your mind. If your goal is to build a better relationship with someone important, describe what that ideal state will be like, the pleasures you will gain, the relaxation you will feel and the closeness you will both enjoy. Allow yourself to mentally experience it.
  2. A realistic deadline. Your goal needs to have a timescale attached to it. At the outset it can be difficult to know exactly how long it will take to get there, so you may be a few days off, but that is less important than having a date to aim for. If you don't, you will find it hard to judge the speed of your progress. However, it is equally important that your deadline is achievable. You might cherish the thought that you could be as fit as an athlete in 6 weeks, but if you haven't exercised since school, that might be beyond your reach. Try to match your timetable to your capabilities, but don't be afraid to stretch yourself just a little.
  3. A plan of action. Finally, your goal is merely a destination. Your action plan is the roadmap that will get you there. Break down all the things you need to do into manageable chunks that can be completed in a few hours or a day. Build a logical, step by step plan out of those component chunks, till you have filled the gap between now and your projected aim. Pin this on your wall or keep it with you at all times and refer to it every day, so that you can see, not only what your next task is, but just as importantly you can be proud of how far you have come.

Make sure your goal has these three vital parts and you give yourself a much greater chance of success.

 
  • About

    headshot: David Beroff in St. ThomasDavid Beroff started writing software at the age of 11, and was teaching Computer Science at Rutgers University by the time he was 18. After designing software for two decades, he started his own Internet marketing firm in '95; one of his company's earliest successes was Freedback.com, a free feedback-form service that was later sold to Wondermill.

    Beroff had bought and sold four million voluntary, opt-in email leads generated with properties like LeadFactory and SuperTAF before the business failed in '07. He is the author of the book, Turn Funny Email into CASH!, and is currently developing a new social media site, AboutTh.is.

    He has two grown children, and now lives outside of Scranton with his girlfriend and five cats.

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