There are many ways you can set goals and there are many books you can read about how to do this. Here are a few simple and practical suggestions to make this easy for you.
Set an appointment with yourself
Make time in your diary to find a comfortable and quiet location to set your goals. I spend a morning in January at the Sheraton on the Park (a beautiful hotel in Sydney city) every year in the same spot, and I set my new goals for the year.
Review your goals regularly
Each year when I set my new goals I also review the previous year’s goals to see how I went against target. This is a rewarding activity – give it a try.
Set up 5 categories or headings for your goals:
- Physical
- Educational
- Spiritual
- Financial
- Relational
This will help you create a balanced approach to your goal setting.
Write down your goals
It makes them more powerful when you can see them.
List the possible obstacles and how to overcome those
For each goal you have set yourself, spend some time considering all the possible obstacles that will get in your way and develop a plan to overcome those obstacles.
Write the goals in positive language
Use words like “I will” and “I am” – this will help you feel as if you have already achieved it. i.e. “I am going to the gym 3 times per week”
Review them twice a day
I have been told that the difference between a millionaire and a billionaire is that a billionaire reads their goals twice a day. Simple really.
Stick your goals around the house
I have my goals in several locations in my house including on my bathroom mirror, on my printer, outside my shower screen, on the fridge and on my printer, on my bedside table and in my wallet – these are all places I see every day and it makes it easy for me to read them every day (more than once…)
Share your goals with a buddy
Make yourself accountable to someone else you trust. Share your list with them and ask them to check on you regularly to see if you are on track.
Allocate timeframes for completion of each goal.
Give yourself specific timeframes for the achievement of each goal and you are more likely to achieve it.
