GOALS

A goal is a desired result or possible outcome that a person or a system envisions, plans and
commits to achieve. Many people endeavor to reach goals within a finite time by setting
deadlines.

Goal is roughly similar to purpose or aim; and a method to plan and work so as to attain the
anticipated end result. Goal setting is the first step towards achieving success! The basic reason
for this is that goals give you a clear picture of what you need in life, and where you are trying to
reach. You can’t get where you are trying to go until you clearly define where that is. Research
studies show a direct link between goals and enhanced (improved) performance in any
task/activity.

PURPOSE OF GOALS:

Goals help you stay:

 Focused.
 Allocate your time and resources efficiently.
 Keep you motivated when you feel like giving up.

WHY GOALS IN LIFE?

Life goals are vital to the quality and direction of our lives. They determine where we’re going
next and where we will end up further down the line. Goals help to keep us focused and
determined while providing clarity into what we want and desire the most. They drive us to find
new idea and innovative thinking. When you’re feeling stuck or lost in life, having life goals
align you back to form.

WHY SET GOALS?

Top-level athletes, successful business-people and achievers in all fields all set goals. Setting
goals gives you long-term vision and short-term motivation. It focuses your acquisition of
knowledge, and helps you to organize your time and your resources so that you can make the
very most of your life. By setting sharp, clearly defined goals, you can measure and take pride in
the achievement of those goals. You will also raise your self-confidence, as you recognize your
own ability and competence in achieving the goals that you've set.

HOW TO SET A GOAL?

 Consider what you want to achieve, and then commit to it.

 Set SMART goals that motivate you.
 Write them down to make them feel tangible.
 Then plan the steps you must take to realize your goal, and cross off each one as you
work through them.
SMART GOALS

SPECIFIC

 Well-defined and specific targeted.

 Clear to anyone that has a basic knowledge of the project.

MEASURABLE

 Know if the goal is obtainable and how far away completion is.
 Find out when you would achieve your goal.

ATTAINABLE/ACHIEVABLE

 Attainable with proper plan and execution.

 Unattainable goals must never be made.

REALISTIC

 True to life.
 Within the availability of resources, knowledge and time.

TIME-BASED

 Enough time to achieve the goal

 Not too much time, which can affect project performance

Step 1: Setting Lifetime Goals

The first step in setting personal goals is to consider what you want to achieve in your lifetime.
Few categories to set goals:

 Career – What level do you want to reach in your career, or what do you want to
achieve?
 Financial – How much do you want to earn, by what stage? How is this related to your
career goals?
 Education – Is there any knowledge you want to acquire in particular? What information
and skills will you need to have in order to achieve other goals?
 Attitude – Is any part of your mindset holding you back? Is there any part of the way that
you behave that upsets you? (If so, set a goal to improve your behavior or find a solution
to the problem.)
 Physical – Are there any athletic goals that you want to achieve, or do you want good
health deep into old age? What steps are you going to take to achieve this?
 Pleasure – How do you want to enjoy yourself? (You should ensure that some of your
life is for you!)
 Public Service – Do you want to make the world a better place? If so, how?
Step 2: Setting Short-term & Long-term Goals

 Once you have set your lifetime goals, set a five-year plan (Long-term) of goals that you
need to complete. Then create a one-year plan, six-month plan, and a one-month plan
(Short-term) of progressively smaller goals that you should reach. Then create a daily
To-Do List of things that you should do today to work towards your lifetime goals. Set
precise goals, putting in dates, times and amounts so that you can measure achievement.
If you do this, you'll know exactly when you have achieved the goal, and can take
complete satisfaction from having achieved it.

FURTHER TIPS

The following broad guidelines will help you to set effective, achievable goals.

 State each goal as a positive statement

 Be precise.
 Set priorities.
 Write goals down.
 Set performance goals, not outcome goals.
 Set realistic goals.
 Keep moving in the right direction!

Would you set out on a major journey with no real idea of your destination? Probably not!

Plan your goal today!

ACTIVITY:

1. What are your short-term & long-term goals?

2. Plan a SMART goal of how to envisage life in 10 years from now.