Goal Setting The Right Way: 10 Easy Steps

How many times have you done New Years goal setting but just a few weeks later realized that you had dropped the goal and weren’t working on it anymore?

Should you Do New Years Goal Setting?

Did you know that 80% of New Years Resolutions fail? And yet only 45% of people usually do New Years Goal Setting.

So why bother?

With only 8% of people fully accomplishing their New Years goals and a remaining 12% partially achieving their goals it is very discouraging to even want to bother.  However, we know that goal setting can be important to experiencing clarity and achievement in your life. So instead of avoiding goal setting or not doing it, consider taking a different approach to it.

But Remember, It’s Not About Motivation

Motivation is an emotion, what is required are small achievable steps that produce a dopamine response.
Motivation is an emotion, what is required are small achievable steps that produce a dopamine response.

Many people think that achieving goals is about having will power and motivation; however, this is completely not true.  Motivation is an emotion, what is required are small achievable steps that produce a dopamine response.  Essentially, having a list of easy to achieve steps that can be done or worked on nearly daily, things that you can do and cross or check off a list, will provide a dopamine response. Doing this as consistently as possible, eventually, you will start to create an addiction to setting and achieving goals.  

What is it that the 8% know that the rest of us don’t?

They know that having a detailed written plan, not just to execute the steps, but to overcome obstacles that will get in your way will increase your success exponentially.  This research was discussed extensively in The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg. You might also consider a life-changing book called Mini Habits by Stephen Guise.

Also, consider getting a coach. Coaching is not just for the elite and rich any longer. It’s not just for athletes or top musicians. Coaching is accessible to nearly everybody – why shouldn’t you take advantage of this?

Don’t You Deserve To Do Goal Setting The Right Way?

List every goal that you can think of
List every goal that you can think of

In our opinion these are the 10 Easy Steps for Goal Setting.

Step 1 – Get it all out!

  • List every goal that you can think of
  • These can be work related or personal
  • It’s usually best to have a bit of both

Step 2 – Get it in the right order!

  • Now start to prioritize them
  • Do not skip or cheat this process

Step 3 – Get Absolutely Clear

  • Using the first goal in your list
  • GET CLEAR
  • What do you really want? 
  • What is your desired outcome?
  • Get as specific as you can
  • This is where SMART goal is useful

Step 4 – Get Connected!

  • Why do you really want this?
  • What bad things will happen if you don’t get it?
  • What good things will happen if you do?
  • Dig deep!

Step 5 – The Plan!

Have a plan!
Have a plan!
  • How will you do it? What will you do?
  • What is the VERY FIRST next step you will take, today, right after this graduation?
  • What will you do after that step?
  • And then?

Step 6 – Take Action!

  • Pretty straight forward… start taking the actions; however, don’t forget to do the below!

Step 7 – Identify the Obstacles!

  • Take a minute to list every obstacle you can think of that is going to get in the way of you achieving this goal
  • This is the most important part of the process

Step 8 – Overcome the Obstacles!

  • Come up with a plan to overcome each obstacle you have listed
  • This is the second most important goal of the process of goal setting

Step 9 – Track Your results!

  • You cannot effectively change what you don’t track and measure
  • What are your leading measures – the stuff you have to do to achieve the goal
  • What are your lagging measures – the results themselves

Step 10 – Feedback and Rewards

  • What reward will you give yourself when you achieve this goal?
  • What little rewards along the way?
  • The best rewards are built into the activity themselves.
  • Who can you get feedback or support from regularly?

REMEMBER!!! Achieving goals is less about hitting the big goal at the end, and more about taking a methodical step by step approach every single day and making small adjustments when things don’t work out.

The Bottom Line…

Goals need to be broken down to their micro-steps, you must surround yourself with a community of support, and you must not only plan how you will achieve the goal but also why you want it, what will get in the way of you achieving it, and how you will overcome those obstacles.

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