~ Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier ~
Everyone needs a little inspiration from time to time.
Whether you're going through a break up, you've just lost your job, or you simply woke up feeling a little...
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Nowadays, it’s easy to get caught up in our busy day-to-day routine which oftentimes leaves little time to work on the things that matter most. Sure, you work hard each day, but are life’s distractions keeping you from effectively working on—and achieving—your long-term goals?
Think about what is truly important to you ... what are your top priorities? Do your daily actions and your time spent reflect what you see as most important in your life? Everyone can benefit from setting goals because it keeps the things that really matter foremost in our minds. Setting goals and expectations leads to long-term vision and short-term motivation. By organizing your time and resources, you can make the very most of your time and life! Once you set your goals, it’s important to measure the steps you are taking so you can celebrate each achievement. First things first. You need to write down your goals. Here’s a sobering fact: You are 42 percent more likely to achieve your goals if you write them down. Putting your goals down on paper starts the process of strategizing, questioning your current progress, and sorting out your plan of attack.
Tip 1: As you write, use the word "will" instead of "would like to" or "might." For example, "I will reduce my operating expenses by 10 percent this year," not "I would like to reduce my operating expenses by 10 percent this year." The first goal statement has power and you can "see" yourself reducing expenses, the second lacks passion and gives you an excuse if you get sidetracked.
Tip 2: Post your goals in visible places to remind yourself every day of what it is you intend to do. Put them on your walls, desk, computer monitor, bathroom mirror or refrigerator as a constant reminder.
Now, let’s focus on how to achieve those goals.
Setting goals is an important part of reaching success, and a great method you can use to set goals is the SMART method. Have you ever heard of SMART goals? Simply put, it’s a goal-setting system that will enable you to be successful at achieving your goals. By utilizing this system, you can simplify your goals, and ensure that each goal is important and has value to you.
Specific: A specific goal has a much greater chance of being accomplished than a general goal. To make sure your goal is specific, ask yourself the five “W” questions:
.Who is involved? .What do I want to accomplish? .Where will this happen? .When will this happen? .Why should this happen?
For example, a general goal would be “Lose weight and get in shape.” But a specific goal would be “Sign up for an aerobics class at the local gym and participate at least three times a week for one month.”
Measurable: Are you able to track your progress? How will you know when it's accomplished?
For example, if your goal is to get in shape, perhaps a method of measuring your progress would be to track how many pushups you can do in one session. Or, if you want to reorganize all your closets, start with one closet, set a deadline, and check it off when done. You’ll love the feeling of accomplishment as you successfully complete smaller tasks along the way.
Achievable: Is achieving this goal realistic with effort and commitment? Do you have the resources to achieve this goal? If not, how will you get them? For example, if your goal is to have the members of your basketball team finish 50 pushups in a minute, make sure your team is equally committed to the goal. Secondly, make sure your goal requires you to “raise the bar” and even step out of your comfort zone, but is still reachable.
Realistic: Why is this goal important? Does it seem worthwhile? Is this the right time? Does this match efforts/needs? Too easy and you won’t feel a true sense of accomplishment. Too difficult and you set yourself up for failure.
For example, if you don’t have any experience with long-distance running, it may not be wise to set a goal to complete a triathlon. That doesn’t mean you won’t complete a triathlon in the future. Try setting a goal to run a 5K first, and then build up to a more intense competition.
Timely: In setting a timeframe, there are a few things to consider. Does your goal need to be further broken down into sub-goals? In addition, you’ll need to figure out how much time you can commit each day/week in working toward your goal.
For example, if you want to set a goal for running a 5K, your sub-goal may be to run for one-half hour five times a week for two weeks, then moving on to 45 minutes the next two weeks. In addition, make sure your current schedule allows for the time commitment needed to meet these goals.
CHECKING IN :
Check in on your goals regularly. If you create sub-goals that are specific, measurable, and have a timeline, checking in should become a natural step of the process. This is the time to evaluate what’s working for you and what isn’t. You can readjust your goals if need be or create new ones. For example, if you’re overwhelmed with your goal to attend a fitness class three times a week because of your work schedule, adjust your goal to make it to class once a week. After you’ve successfully attended a class once a week for a month, adjust your goal again. Once you have achieved your goals, make sure to enjoy this time, reward yourself, and continue to stay motivated for future goals. I believe that by following your SMART goals you can achieve success while navigating college and day-to-day life!
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