Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?” “That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” said the Cat.“I don’t much care where–” said Alice.“Then it doesn’t matter which way you go,” said the Cat.“
A quote from Lewis Carolls’ Alice in Wonderland highlighting that without a clear goal, and a plan to achieve that goal, it’s very difficult to move forward. That’s what this post is about – setting motivational goals with some tips to help you achieve them.
Firstly though, I hope that this post finds you and yours well, and managing as best you can to navigate a course through Covid-19. Over the past few weeks I have been hearing from clients about the challenges that Covid-19 is presenting for them, over and above the obvious concern for safety and well-being of loved ones, friends and self.
- For those who are working, I’m hearing how challenging it is working from home, particularly for those with children where they are having to juggle home-schooling with the pressures of work.
- For those who are furloughed, there are concerns about how to fill the days, but more pressing are the concerns for future job security.
- For those like me with their own businesses, it’s about trying to keep the lights on as best you can, plus the worries about what the future looks like in a post Covid-19 world.
It may feel that we have no control over what the future looks like, and indeed that may well be the case. However, what we can control is how we respond to the challenges that the now presents.
As a Coach I work with people to find ways to overcome the challenge that they face in pretty much every aspect of their lives. What I see, and believe, is that when people have clarity around what they want as an outcome they are more than capable of finding their own solution. The key as Alice found out is that if you don’t know where you are headed, then you are unlikely to get there – so don’t be like Alice have a goal.
The aim of this post is to share some tips on how to set, stay focussed and achieve those goals. Here goes, and I hope you find it helpful.
Have clarity about what you want to achieve. Can you visualise/imagine what your life will be like once you achieved your goal? What will be different? What will you be thinking/feeling/doing? What will other people notice about you that’s different?
Make sure your goal is very specific, is it easy to articulate? Put it in writing, the process of writing it down will help make the goal real and tangible.
Create a goal statement that’s motivating and positive. If your goal doesn’t excite you, then it’s going to be difficult to stay on track.
Do you have a compelling enough WHY for wanting to achieve your goal? Can you articulate this easily and does it make sense to you, and to others when you do?
Is your goal achievable, realistic, and relevant? What I mean is if your goal is to become a concert pianist within 12 months is this likely if you are tone deaf and don’t play the piano? An extreme example I know, but you get the picture.
Can you measure success? How will you know when you’ve achieved your goal?
Do you have a deadline for your goal? If not see Tim Urban’s TED Talk – “In the mind of a procrastinator” – goals without deadlines slip, or just aren’t achieved.
What blockers might you face? Identify things that might get in your way, and have a plan for overcoming them.
What are your strengths? What are you good at, what skills/strengths do you have that will help propel you forward?
How might your past help you? Think of goals that you successfully achieved in the past, what proved useful for you then, that might prove useful now?
Do you have a plan? Have an action plan, and regularly review your progress, celebrating each step that gets you closer to your goal.
Chunking – If your goal is a big stretch then it might be a useful strategy to “chunk” the goal, break it down into smaller goals.
Get help – Holding yourself to account is great, but not always easy particularly when the going gets tough. Is there someone who can hold you to account, provide support and encouragement when you need it, maybe a Line Manager, Friend, Partner, or Coach?
Stick with it – Don’t give up, think how good it will feel to have that goal behind you.
Finally- Good luck
All the very best.
Meryl