Tips: The Art of Goal Setting
“Setting goals is the first step into turning the invisible into the visible. ”
Living with purpose has become the motivational pick-me-up of the moment. When it comes to self-help, the art of goal setting is a top priority. Finding out how to set meaningful goals, and how to realistically achieve them, while taking on tasks with a new sense of purpose, has never been so imperative and in our own hands.
Where do you begin? At The Merit Club, we've been working out where we may need some prompts now and again to channel our mindsets and get us in the right zone for self-improvement. Self-help tips are not meant to be ground-breaking. First and foremost, we believe self-help tips should be accessible; so obvious to the point that you realise, why on earth have I not been thinking like this before.
Looking to the art of goal-setting, it's important to acknowledge straight up that in every action, decision, step we make, we do have a choice. Here lies the power of decision. Look to Tony Robbins, in particular, for a pep-talk on just how important this power of decision really is. Once you're in no doubt that you, and only you, are in control of your path, you can then get to work on asking yourself what your priorities are.
In order to set meaningful goals, you need a framework in place for each and every one:
be realistic
visualise what you want
Ask yourself, What steps do i actually need to take in order to achieve this
get as specific as you possibly can
commit to the goal as fully as you can
maintain your focus upon it
Remember, you need to think of this goal as a building block. Each specific goal needs your attention, a clear vision, focus, and commitment. There's no point vaguely saying to yourself this time next year I'll be fitter, or this time next year I will have more money. Work out what steps you will take to get there. It may be, this month I am going to set myself the goal of going to yoga once a week and a HIIT class every Monday, while cutting out sugar and processed foods 3 days out of 5. Or, this month I am going to take on a new project at work and connect with 5 new clients. Rather than visualising a goal for your 10 year plan that is overwhelming and out of reach, narrow your vision to a set of distinct goals, filled with purpose, that you can immediately implement into your life. As a result, it is far more likely that you will be able to achieve your 1 year goal which will propel you onto bigger and better plans beyond. As Jay Shetty emphasises so poignantly,
“What you need to do this year is actually try and find digestible blocks of work, little pieces of action that will help you effectively bring about change in small areas of your life. When these add up and build together you’ll build momentum.”
The value of goal setting is evident. The statistics are there. As detailed by inc.com, did you know that 92 percent of people that set New Year's goals never actually achieve them? Yet, setting specific and challenging goals has led to higher performance 90 percent of the time?According to Goalband, People with written goals are 50% more likely to achieve than people without goals. There's a clear correlation between a life of fulfilment, happiness, and success, and setting affirming goals for yourself.
“People take different roads to seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they’re not on your road doesn’t mean they’ve gotten lost.”
We'll all go about goal-setting in different ways. However, we want to end by saying that whichever goal you set yourself first to achieve, be definite about it and do it with purpose.
Words by Lottie Franklin
