INTRO:
What goals are? why we need them? and how to set goals and work on them in a thoughtful way?
This is what we will talk about in this episode.
Welcome to minutesofacts podcast.
WHAT Goals are?
According to the Oxford Dictionary, goals are “the object of a person’s ambition or effort; an aim or desired result” and can also be defined as “the destination of a journey.”
Now, life is a journey — a mysterious travel through sunny skies and murky waters, full of ups and downs and enough occasional turbulence to keep you on your toes and keep your stomach wondering what’s going on.
It’s up to us to decide which direction we want to head in and what we want our journey to look like, and those are choices that aren’t set in stone; you can change direction in life whenever you like and as often as you like, and it’s nobody’s business but your own.
Think of goals as the GPS for your life’s journey, in that they help you to navigate your way to wherever you want to go and they help to keep you on track.
Without goals, it’s a bit like wandering around a new city without a map; you might accidentally stumble upon some interesting spots, but you’re also just as likely to end up walking around in circles.
The whole point with setting goals is about being intentional in terms of what you do and don’t do, and how your choices align to your longer-term vision of who you want to be.
WHY Setting Goals is Essential in Life ?
Setting goals and working on them will help you to find a sense of direction and purpose. That’s incredibly important for good mental health, because being stagnant or having no real sense of where you’re headed can feel depressing… and it’s a bit hard to be positive and optimistic about life when you can’t see what you’re working towards.
Goals can help to fight against feelings of emptiness or aimlessness, which can potentially lead to depression and anxiety.
The process of setting goals and working towards them can be incredibly empowering. It’s like taking the wheel of your life and driving it to wherever you want to go, rather than just being a passenger along for the ride.
Goals are not just nice to have; they’re essential for leading a fulfilling and purpose-driven life. They’re like the secret sauce to turning our dreams into reality; for converting our aspirations into achievements. Goals are what keep us moving forward, step by step, towards a richer and more meaningful life.
HOW to Set Goals and Work on them in a Thoughtful Way ?
- Start with ‘what’ and ‘why’: figure out what you want to work towards and, most importantly, why. There is very little point in working to achieve a specific goal if you have no idea why you want or need to do it in the first place.
- Think big picture: you can set goals for whatever you want and for whatever timeframe you want… however I strongly encourage you to think long-term about the type of life you want both now and in the future, and set your goals accordingly.
- Be realistic: you can do and be anything you like with enough time, effort and perseverance… however you do need to consider any limitations that may be in your way; that might mean needing to work on overcoming those obstacles first, or perhaps you’ll need to come at things from a different angle entirely. Think about how you can set realistic and achievable goals to set yourself up for success, and be kind to yourself if things don’t turn out the way you had planned or hope.
- Write your goals down: once you’ve thought about what you want to achieve and why, now it’s time to get serious… and you can begin that by putting pen to paper. Writing down your goals helps to make them feel more tangible and real; using this technique is helpful because it’s a physical reminder of what you’re aiming for and it can serve as a motivational tool.
- Create S.M.A.R.T. goals: SMART, it’s a tool for effective goal setting where the word ‘SMART’ stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound; factor these five things into the goals you set so you’re creating clear and actionable targets to aim for.
- Break it down into smaller steps: think of your goal as a puzzle; in order to solve it, you need to figure out all the pieces and work on it one step at a time. By taking that approach to your goals it makes it far less overwhelming and much more achievable and more sustainable.
- Prioritise: figure out what’s most important and work on the main one or two things at a time, to prevent you from spreading yourself too thin and to ensure that your energy is used effectively… after all, there are only so many hours in the day. List all of your goals and then rank them based on their importance and urgency; you can come back to the list and work on less-urgent goals later.
- Build habits: because, very often, the success of a goal comes down to the habits you form along the way. Incorporating habit building into your goal strategy is effective because consistent actions turn into habits, which naturally lead you closer to your goal. You can do this by identifying small actions that contribute to your goal and practicing them regularly until they become a natural part of your routine.
- Visualize success: because visualization is like a rehearsal in your mind. Imagine yourself achieving your goals — what does it look like, feel like, sound like? This practice really helps because it keeps you motivated and focused on the outcome, and you can do this by spending a few minutes each day closing your eyes and picturing yourself having achieved your goal.
- Track your progress: keeping tabs on your progress is like having a progress bar in a video game; it shows how far you’ve come and how close you are to your goal. Adopting this habit can provide a sense of accomplishment and it helps identify areas that need more attention.
- Be flexible: because the path to your goal might not be a straight line… and that’s OK. Being flexible means you can adapt to changes and obstacles, and adjust your plans as needed; it allows you to tweak your plan without getting discouraged.
- Celebrate your progress: recognising and honoring your progress, no matter how small, is like giving yourself a pat on the back; it’s important because it keeps you motivated and it also acknowledges all the effort you’ve put in. You can do this by setting milestones within your goal and then celebrating when you reach them.
OUTRO:
Keep in mind: We’re all born under the same sky, but we don’t all have the same horizon.
Thank you for your time and support.
I wish you all a year of health, wealth and happiness.
Stay safe and healthy.
Talk to you next time!
