Sometimes life can feel as though you are on a treadmill running and running, yet staying in place. The finish line is nowhere in sight and the incline just keeps increasing. You work hard but feel that you don’t progress. There are many ways to solve this problem, but perhaps one of the key ways is to take a step back, to make a plan. Afterall, it doesn’t make sense to keep running and running in a direction when you have no idea of your destination. You must start with a goal. Goal setting is powerful and a key step to growth and progress. Les Brown once said, “If you set goals and go after them with all the determination you can muster, your gifts will take you places that will amaze you.”
The first step to allowing the power of goal setting into your life is to set one that motivates and inspires you. It is important to be passionate about what you want to achieve. If the goal you are setting has no relevance to your life then it is not going to have any effect on you. Having motivation is key to achieving your goals.
The second idea is to set “SMART” goals. This stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time Bound. Set goals that are clear and well defined. Include exact dates and amounts of time. They say anything is possible, but make sure they are also possible to achieve. The goals you make should be related to the direction you want your life to go. Lastly, your goals must have a deadline.
With that said, you truly need to make an action plan! Map it out. Write it down. You should even hang it up where you can see it. A little reminder each day is very important. Most of all, when things get hard, don’t give up. Stick with it. It will be worth it in the end, and you will see the power that setting goals will have in your life.