Self Improvement Articles: Goal Setting

Goal Setting in 7 Easy, But Needed Steps

by George Tsoukalas

Goal setting can make a big difference in creating the life you want. If you are serious about creating a life of choice, creating self improvement in this area is important. Here is a 6 step goal setting method that I use.

1. First, to begin the goal setting process, create a master list of at least 10 goals in the following areas: Health, Career, Financial, Family & Spiritual, Leisure, Things, Contribution and Educational. Be as specific as possible. For example - To weigh 170 pounds by May 3, 2010 at 5:00 PM. (Goals should start with the word "To").

2. The next step is to list goals to be achieved in the short term (1-12 weeks); goals to be achieved in a bit longer of a term (13 weeks - 52 weeks); goals to be achieved in a distant term (1 - 5 years); goals to be achieved later in life (over 5 years); goals to be achieved much later in life (over 10 years). Please note that larger goals must be broken down into smaller goals. It's the small goals that make a big difference in goal setting.

3. An effective goal setting method must be measureable. In other words, how will you know if you are on track to achieving the goal? To know this, your goal needs some way of being measured. If your goal is to earn $1,000.00 per day and you are only earning $500.00 dollars a day, you know that you are off course. Now you have some power to evaluate this and find the means of improving it. An effective way to accomplish this is to keep a living goal plan for each goal, including the flexible dates of completion for each goal.

4. Next step in this goal setting method is to write a descriptive paragraph of why you desire to have these goals. How will you feel if you cannot achieve the goal? How about those you love? How will they feel if you don't? Now, how would everyone feel if you achieved those goals? Also, you should keep in mind what has kept you from getting your goals in the past. Maybe it was a limiting belief, a fear, some association to pain that you may have linked to achieving the goal in the past. How do you feel knowing that you will achieve these goals? Do you feel a greater level of self-esteem? Do you feel energized and happy?

5. The next step is to identify the obstacles that are standing in your way. Maybe you need to get the kids to be earlier. Maybe you need to cut out some TV or ask someone to watch the kids for a couple of hours. Maybe you need to learn a mew skill. Whatever the obstacles that stand in your way - write them down.

6. The final step it this goal setting method, is for each of the identified obstacles, write the action steps that you will take and date them for when they will be taken. As you can see by now, this goal setting method not only helped you identify your goals, but also the obstacles in your way and created an action plan to help you achieve the goal!

7. Take consistent action!

Use Goal Setting for Life Long Success!

If you choose to use these goal setting steps, they will increase the chances of achieving your goals and help you create a destiny of choice! Develop the self improvement needed to succeed by using this method to create the focus and clarity needed to manifest your goals.