|
Goal setting, as the first
part of this section commented, is so important, yet unfortunately
our education system does not tell us how to do it. In recent
years, management textbooks and seminars have told us to make
our goals SMART - Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic
and Time Orientated. This is all very fine and memorable, but
words like achievable and realistic keep us trapped in our comfort
zone. By the time we’ve made our goals smart, there’s
a real danger that we’ve made them unexciting and by making
them unexciting, we can more easily be blown off course when
things get tough, as they often do.
Effective goal setting must start with the vision, something to
get excited about. Rather than just growing your business to, say,
a turnover of £2 million in 3 years, actually picture it
in your mind’s eye. What will your offices look like, how
many and what type of people will be working for you, what will
your working life be like? Secondly, you must have a commitment
to the vision. Here, looking at all the benefits (pleasure) the
goal will bring, or the pain achieving it will avoid, works best – you
need a compelling “why”. Thirdly, you need a plan,
a clear “how”. Don’t just look at the obvious,
but initially try and come up with as many options as possible.
Finally, you need to begin and take some action. Obvious, maybe,
but how many plans remain just that, plans. However small, take
some action immediately you have finished writing your plan. For
example, if your goal is to lose weight, buy the running shoes
or the diet book, join the gym or sign up a friend to exercise
with.
In the next page,
we will continue looking at goal setting in more detail and some
helpful ways of writing goals down and reminding yourself of them.
If you would like to find out more about coaching/mentoring
and whether it’s right for you, call 0845 658 0940
or e-mail consultation@coachforsuccess.biz to
arrange a no obligation, 30 minute consultation call.
|
