Sid Savara, “Personal Development 101”, points to a more recent study done at Dominican College by Gail Matthews, Ph.D., which determined that “writing one’s goal enhances goal achievement. He ends his summation with the following advice and statement, “Don’t believe everything you read online. Nonetheless, the initial advice I put forth is still sound – write down your goals!”
Yet, “In spite of such proof of success, most people don’t have clear, measurable, time-bounded goals that they work toward.” In his well known book, “Goals!” Brian Tracy teaches you “how to identify in the clearest terms the things you want out of life, then how to make the plan to help you achieve those things.” Make a habit of daily goal setting and achieving, for the rest of your life. Focus on the things you want, rather than the things you don’t want. Resolve to be a goal-seeking organism, moving unerringly toward the things that are important to you.
My own experience as coach for more than 20 years supports the power of process of creating written goals, reading them daily and revising them when necessary. Putting them out into the Universe so to speak.
Goals can be broken down into different categories, which reflect the priorities in a clients’ life. They can be personal, relationship, spiritual, business or financial. It is important that these goals be measurable, realistic and achievable. I want to increase my income may be a goal but placing a number on the goal focuses the intent. For example if a coach wants to increase income by $10,000 in one year, he/she states and writes, that in one year I will increase my income by $10,000 and then creates shorter written goals stating how it will be achieved. For example, I will add 3 more clients each month through advertising in newspaper and radio and giving one workshop on coaching per month. This makes it more specific and measurable and more attainable.
A Note About the Connection Between Priorities and Goals.
An important aspect of attaining goals is that they reflect the priorities in one’s life. For example, if one’s #1 priority is to be a good hands-on father and husband and he/she is offered a job that requires a lot of traveling and days away from home, then accepting that job is not in line with his/her priority and therefore probably should not be accepted.
The following are Definitions and Synonyms from Encarta Dictionary, which I believe set the groundwork for this power tool. While reading, ask yourself which words and sentences best describe how you live your life.
Focused
1. Concentrated on a single thing
2. Single–minded and determined
3. Listening carefully
4. Paying attention
5. Alert
6. Prepared
7. Vigilant
8. Organized
9. Systematic
There are many people, including a majority of coaches, who believe that in order to achieve success and happiness, one must have intention and be focused on goals, preferably creating written ones. To them, there is great power in visualizing what you want in your life and then creating the steps or the goals necessary for you to reach them.
Someone who is focused is considered “on the ball”, “clear-headed”, “ready to deal with whatever happens”, “ on their toes”, competent, knowledgeable, proficient and “ready to act.”
Someone who is focused is like a marksman aiming and shooting. They may not hit the bulls eye every time, but they will get close and most likely will hit the target.
Haphazard
1. Happening or done in a way that is not planned
2. Random
3. Chaotic
4. Disorganized
5. Unsystematic
6. Messy
7. Indiscriminate
There are those that believe that by working hard, or “letting the chips fall where they may” or being “all over the place” and depending upon the “luck of the draw,” or “hit or miss,” for their success. Someone who lives haphazardly doesn’t aim at the target. They just pull the trigger, rarely if ever hit the bulls eye and hope and pray that no one is in the way of the buckshot.
On the surface, it may seem that it is easier for one to live a haphazard life rather than setting and focusing on goals. That is because it takes more discipline to set goals and create your own path rather just letting life unfold and acting when the spirit moves you, and then just make excuses and blaming outside circumstances for things not working out. Not setting goals is a way of avoiding the work it takes to move forward and often the haphazard player can easily fall into the ‘blame” game for not getting what they want.
Coaching Reflection
1. Which definition and synonyms best describe how one can be succcessful?
2. Which definition and synonyms best describe how you live your life?
3. Which definition and synonyms would be better suited to achieve your life dreams?
4. What can you do to align with a focused life?
5. Do you have goals in your life and are they in tune with your priorities?
Application
For the next 2 days, do not plan your schedule and just allow the days to unfold. Then, for the next 2 days, plan your schedule and write down how you want your days to look. Then summarize the comfort level and success of each process.
References
Encarta Dictionary
Sid Savara “Personal Development 101”
Brian Tracy “Goals”
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