Stuck on a particular project at work? Neglecting that New Year’s Resolution you made… three years ago? Perhaps it’s time to take another look and refine your goal-setting process.
Let’s blame biology. Now let’s use it to our advantage. The brain is an interesting organ when it comes down to neurotransmitters and our perception of the world. Dopamine serves to motivate us by giving us a little dose of pleasure along with an achievement. Meaning we feel good when we work towards our goals. Taking advantage of that process, we can…
1. Take small steps
Working toward our goal in any amount will still allow us to achieve a small part of our goal. Is that initial step simply too big? Break it down into smaller pieces. While your final goal may be to run a marathon (or maybe it just feels like it), going out tomorrow and run the full 26.2 miles in one shot may not be the best idea. Every successful marathon runner creates a training plan to build up the endurance and muscle needed to complete this intense physical task. Any large goal can be thought of as a marathon while you, the runner, need to define a training plan. Simply creating the plan is one part of the task, but taking any step towards this plan is the most important first step! Here, that can translate as getting off the couch for a five-minute walk once a day, serving as a starting point. Just one small step.
Transforming the path between a five-minute walk and a full marathon certainly requires a training plan. The training plan will include small goals that are also…
2. SMART Goals
Using your intelligence to create your goals is certainly necessary, but SMART in fact refers to the method of ensuring your goals are: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. Now that you’re “off the couch” with taking your small steps, a training plan might be in order to guide you toward your ultimate goal. Following these SMART guidelines may help you be more successful in your goals:
Specific: State a clear and well-defined goal. It helps to write it down. Vague or generalized goals are unhelpful because they don’t provide sufficient direction. Make it easier by defining when you can celebrate your achievement.
Measurable: Be as precise with dates and amounts in order to measure your degree of success. Without a way to measure your success you miss out on the celebration that comes with knowing you have actually achieved something.
Attainable: Make sure that it’s possible to achieve the goals you set. Don’t set yourself up for failure, but push the edge of your comfort zone to have a realistic but challenging future goal to bring you the highest level of personal satisfaction.
Relevant: Make goals personally relevant to your life. This may take some soul-searching, but is this a goal you want to personally achieve? By keeping goals aligned with your future direction in life, you’ll develop the focus you need to get ahead and do what you want.
Timely: Set deadlines to achieve your goals. You can look forward to success and a deadline certainly quickens our pace at times when we need an extra boost.
Sometimes a training plan is not enough and you may want to…
3. Ask for outside help
Enlist a support system such as a friend or trusted family member to help you achieve your goal. Some people train for a marathon on their own, but perhaps your project or goal is too large, complex, or new to handle with everything else in your life. Your support system can hold you accountable and help guide you if the goals get unrealistic.
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Adapted from a lovely article that you should read here. (http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/the-science-of-setting-goals.html)
