Is Goal Setting Really Necessary?

A goal properly set is halfway reached.” - Zig Ziglar

As a kid, I remember thinking that goal setting was unnecessary and just something teachers assigned as busy work. Turns out I couldn’t have been more wrong.

If you want to become good at something, and I mean really excel at it, you must understand how to set goals properly in order to achieve them.

Goal setting is important because it helps you put a plan in place to achieve something and helps to motivate you to get it done. Proper goal setting also allows you to track progress along the way and helps you understand how well you’re doing at achieving a given goal.

When I say “proper goal setting” I mean that there really are right and wrong ways to approach it in order to get maximum results. One popular method is to create SMART goals (highlighted in the first five steps below).

So, if you have something in mind that you want to achieve and need help getting there, start here.

This post is a part of series of posts that give a preview of our free ebook, Unleash Your Inner Awesome: Motivational Quotes With Actionable Steps to Help You Reach Your Goals and Achieve Great Things. Be sure to check it out!

Actionable Steps

Make Your Goals Specific (S)

Your goals must be clear and well-defined. Don’t leave any room for ambiguity or interpretation. If a stranger was reading it, she should know exactly what you’re trying to achieve. 

Decide How to Measure (M) Your Goals

If you’ve written your goal without measurability in mind, you’ve written it incorrectly. Setting benchmarks or metrics to measure against will help you track your progress and keep you motivated. It can also inform you when you’re failing to meet milestones as well as influence your decisions when you need to be doing something differently.

Confirm Your Goals Are Achievable (A)

I’m not saying you shouldn’t create lofty goals. You absolutely should, but you have to be honest with yourself as to if the goal is actually attainable with hard work, or impossible to reach with your current circumstance.

Confirm Your Goals Are Relevant (R) 

Why do these goals actually matter to you? What is your “why” behind wanting to achieve them? Knowing the benefits you’ll experience by achieving the goal will help remind you of the purpose while you’re working to achieve it.

Ensure Your Goals Are Time-Bound (T)

Your goal needs a specific timeline and deadline, otherwise, you risk letting them linger forever, or worse, not getting them done at all.

Focus on A Few Goals at a Time

If possible, just focus on one goal at a time and put all of your attention towards it. While you may have other things you want to achieve, simply prioritize them and tackle them one by one. You’ll achieve far greater outcomes than trying to go after them all at once.

Write Your Goals Down

I know, I know, you’ve got a clear image of them in your mind, but your mind is a busy place full of distractions and other thoughts. Write your goals down and put them in a location you see frequently. That way, on the days your mind is a little cloudy, you’ll still have the goals in sight as friendly reminders to keep your eye on the prize.

Be Optimistic

Achieving goals can be daunting. If you really want to be a go-getter, you need to have the right attitude. Thinking positively will make the process so much easier and more enjoyable.

Prepare for Obstacles

While it’s important to be optimistic, it’s also important to be realistic, so you need to understand that no matter how prepared or driven you are to achieve your goal, obstacles will likely come up. Mentally prepare for how you will handle these distractions and what you can do to get focused again if you start to lose sight of your goal.

Identify All Actions Needed to Achieve Your Goals

Once your goal is properly defined, put a plan in place to achieve it, and get as granular as you can. Break the task up into multiple subtasks so that you have mini-milestones and achievements along the way.

Want more on goal-setting and access to the Solopreneur Success Cycle to help you plan, run, and grow your one-person business? You can get it here!