A Goal Setting Primer

A Goal Setting Primer

This little primer will hopefully give you a great way to get started setting your goals so they actually work for you. I have had success using the methodology below.  As many of you know I am not a “process” oriented thinker.  Wrong side of the brain, backwards and for me boring.  But…this actually works so even though the thought of following a process is like listening to fingernails on chalkboard via Bose surround sound, it is an area where I actually follow the yellow brick road.  For those who have seen this I ask you, are you using it?  It is like the fundamentals in any discipline, I keep coming back to it and refining my use each year.  Enjoy.

SMART goal  setting, an acronym for high achievement.

S-Specific

Your goal must be specific.  You must be very clear about what you want to achieve.  Identify your why. Success Coach Jack Canfield states in his book, The Success Principles that, “Vague goals produce vague results.” In order for you to achieve a goal, you must be very clear about what exactly you want to put your effort into.  

A great way to get you thinking about this is to use the 6 “w’s”.

Who-Who will be involved in this goal with you for accountability or along for the ride.

What-Exactly what do I want to accomplish/

When-When will the pursuit of the goal take place.

Where-will the goal take place.  Where will I be?

Why-what is the reason i would like accomplish this goal?  This is an area to sped a good amount of time.  Drill down to find the emotional reasons, not logic.  Logic doesn’t work when we bump into obstacles specific to our goals.  Emotion is king.  use all of you senses here.  What does it look like?  Smell like?  Feel like? Sound like?

How-how will I accomplish this goal?  What will I give up?

M-Measurable

Your goals must be measurable in some quantifiable way.  You have to be able to track them as there is a psychological boost that comes from small incremental victories.  But you have to recognize them.

A-Achievable

Big goals, absolutely but you have to have a core belief that they are attainable and attainable for you if you hold to your plan.  Setting unreasonable expectations will only break us down.  When putting together a goal that will make us stretch you can scale the goal from 1-10, one being no challenge at all and 10 being perhaps not likely.  You will generally want to be in the 7 to 9 range here.

R-Relevant

You need to make sure your goals are congruent with your values and purpose in life.  So here is where you indulge your passion and again make sure you are emotionally attached and committed. This is your moral and ethical check against your personal core values.

T-Timely

Attaching a deadline is critical.  I hate deadlines.  I use this because it works.  I don’t like deadlines because that is like slavery.  The way I look at it is if I don’t set deadlines to specific goals and measures someone else will set goals and deadlines for me in a job.  Ewww! Also without setting a deadline you have no real compelling reason or motivation to begin work now.  By putting a precise year, month, say even time your subconscious mind goes to work as your helper here.

So that is the SMART part of it.  Next you need to make sure you write them down.  The mere act of writing them down has power.  It takes a dream and makes it real.  Now you can hold it in your hand.  I use computers, cameras, vids, all kinds of things but the most powerful is the goal sheet I write in my own handwriting on a card to carry.

Next would be to work out a SOP or DMO.  A daily method of operation or a standard operating procedure.  That means scheduling your days. First and foremost would be top of mind awareness for your goals.  You read them first thing in the morning out-loud, at a few key intervals during the day and the last thing before you go to bed.  When you read them it is personal and in the present tense.  Your subconscious mind can only work in present tense and we need that on our side. Then we break down our goals into monthly, weekly, and even daily tasks.  It is simple then to look at a know what to do  to keep you progressing towards those goals.  Below is an example for an new site I am working on for 2009.

Jan

week one-conduct market research to firm up keyword selection

week two-research competition specific to niche and keywords

week three-finish product creation

week four-write or outsource sales letter

Feb

week one-build website or buy template and ad opt-in offer

week two-set up paypal and complete writing for email marketing sequence.  Write or outsource

week three-publish site, start pay-per click advertising

week four-start search engine optimization

March

week one-set up blog

week two-start article marketing campaign

week-three-track stats and tweak to improve

week-four-head start for next product, rinse, repeat

So anyway you get the idea.  This makes it very do able with a weekly and even daily map to get there.  Having the plan also helps top of mind awareness. I am living it daily.  With this type of planning you increase your chances of success geometrically.  

Godspeed.