Goal Setting Strategies, Tips and Techniques: Reach For The Stars

There are a great number of momentous events that occur throughout life. Often, they make us sit back on our haunches and take stock of whom we are and where we are going. In these moments, life seems to take a new perspective. We see with clarity the wrong turns we've taken along the way. The "if I had it to do overs" will cloud the horizon if we let them. Fortunately there are two directions to look - backward and forward.

Yesterdays can never be regained, but tomorrow holds a multitude of opportunities to learn from the past and fulfill those hidden dreams. What dream is still kindled within your heart? It's time to stoke the fire to a hot blaze filled with passion, and set out to accomplish it.

The question is, "How do I get there?" Sometimes opportunity knocks, and you are at the right place at the right time. Great things fall into your lap unexpectedly. Luck is what we usually call it. Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to happen to most of us. So how do we accomplish great things?...by setting goals, and applying a lot of hard work.

Now, pure luck is what we all hope for - that's why so many people play the lottery - but goals are the real key to success. How many times have you decided to change or improve something in your life, only to have it become a passing fling that grew wings and flew away? Yes, we've all been there and done that. Why? Because most of us have never mastered the art of goal setting.

Goals are valuable tools. They'll take you to places you've only dreamed of. They'll help you achieve your life's dreams. They'll give you self-confidence. And most of all, they'll motivate you to keep on.

Like all tools, proper usage is important to achieving what you set out to do. It's important to understand that there are two sets of goals that you should begin with: long-term and short-term. Your long-term goal may be to loose 100 pounds or to become a doctor. In either case, the end product seems a long ways away. If we stopped there, few of us would get very far, but when we break it down into small attainable goals we have the opportunity to celebrate victories all along the way.

Victory is one of life's greatest motivators. Once you win, you feel like you can win again, and again, and again. Short-term goals are indeed motivational events that can make the difference between success and yet another failure.

Once again, proper usage of goals determines their effectiveness. There are a few things to consider before setting your own goals. First of all, set your goals in a positive manner. They should make you smile rather than cringe. Next, your goals should be precise rather than vague (I want to loose 25 pounds by September versus I need to loose a lot of weight). Also, your goals should be realistic and achievable, but the most important advise - write them down.

Your memory is probably better than mine, but I tend to get busy with life and sort of forget all about my good intentions. Goals written down keep us accountable. Now, if you write your goal on a scrap of paper, and shove it in a drawer somewhere...well, you probably won't get too far! Post it where you can see it everyday. Cover the front of your refrigerator. Use bright markers on your calendar. Do whatever it takes to keep it in front of you and on your mind.

Calendars are great reminders of the time that is rapidly passing...10 days 'til Christmas...3 days... If you're a procrastinator, you'll probably wait until a few days before the deadline to get busy. But hey, at least you'll be getting busy! Counting down the days can indeed be a motivator for getting "around to it."

Don't forget to be flexible. You're only human. You will, I repeat, you will fail at some point. That's when short-term goals can carry us through the tough spots. Look at a victory you've had, and remind yourself that you can do it again. Get up, and keep going on.

Goals come in all shapes and sizes. You may be looking to set personal goals or even goals that involve your whole family. Many times personal goals do affect others as well. We're all touched by those around us.

Careers are important to the feeling of success for many. We all want to find fulfillment in the work we do or the money we make. Our satisfaction or dissatisfaction on the job carries over into our personal and family lives. It's important to get this factor right.

If you're thinking of reaching skyward in your career, you may want to ponder some tips on your way to success. Who can help you? It's beneficial to find a mentor along the way who can assist you in the important questions of: what you should do to get started, where you should start, when you should begin, and how to go about it. Someone "in the know" can save you a lot of steps along the way, and provide motivational support to give you an extra boost of confidence.

A large number of us cringe at the mention of health and fitness goals. Fast food has taken it's toll on our health, and a busy lifestyle has stolen the time to make fitness a priority. The best advise for fitness goals?...keep a record. Simply keeping track of where you are and where you are going may keep you aware that you are either shortening or lengthening your lifespan. Yikes!

Relationship goals cover a huge spectrum from romance to parenthood or friendships. What are you looking for in a relationship? In my opinion, time is a key element in the progression or decline in a relationship. Set a goal to spend some time with that person you seem to have trouble communicating with. You'll be surprised at the things you discover when you have time to relax and just be with them.

Most goals are dependent solely upon you to be reached of fallen short of. Relationship goals, on the other hand, are dependent upon two people. Sometimes this can make goals more difficult to set and reach, but remember that successes will be doubly rewarded!

Family goals are sometimes yet more difficult to set and achieve. Don't despair! You can indeed successfully set and reach these goals. There are a few crucial elements to implement. Divide and conquer. Divide your goals and distribute appropriately. Assigning improper goals to children can steal the life out of a family goal. It's kind of like giving catnip to the dog or a bone to the cat - pretty ineffective when it comes to motivating achievement. You'll want to get everyone on board, and eager to tackle the task ahead.

Reward plays an important role in achieving goals for all of us, but especially the younger members of the family. You'll need to discover an activity or item that everyone will enjoy and be excited about. Plot your progress in a visible and colorful manner that will motivate and excite the team.

Do you know that you really can achieve what you set out to do? I'm not talking about just head knowledge. I'm referring to the place deep inside your heart. Does it really believe that you will succeed? You do have what it takes - a tool. You can set goals, and get the job done. No, it won't always be easy, but when you know what to watch out for you can avoid the pitfalls that will discourage you.

There are a few thieves who would love to rob you of victory. Watch out for Interruption! He likes to come upon you unexpectedly, get your attention, and distract you from your purpose. What can you do to guard again him? Turn off the TV, let the answering machine take the call, or simply say no to an impromptu invitation that will take you away from your aim.

Procrastination knows the ins and outs of shortchanging victory seekers. He's habit forming. It's real easy to allow him to the steal valuable time you need to accomplish your task without even realizing it. Identify him before he gets close to you, and keep a sharp eye out for the return of the bandit.

Personal Crises cannot be avoided. This guy carries a heavy stick, and often takes the umph out of your passion. What should you do if you find yourself under his influence? ...apply some flexibility, get up and start again.

No Plan will suck you into his snare, and you'll likely be unaware for a while that you've been captured. After all, if you'd had a plan you would have seen him coming, eh? Failing to prepare is preparing to fail. You've got to have a plan of action in mind to prevent the consequences of meeting up with this hooligan. How do you plan to achieve your goals?

Do you have a picture in your mind? What will it be like when you've accomplished what you set out to do? Will you feel thinner, enjoy financial freedom, tour the world? Keep your goal in sight! Visualize your success. Suck in your stomach, and stand a little taller. Begin to feel the results of your labor. Think like a winner!

Not all of us are great journal keepers - especially the procrastinators among us - but journals are a great way to chart your course to success. Imagine looking back through the log of your journey from the other end! Each little trial will be a fond emotional memory; each little victory will bring a smile to your face. Until you reach the other end, you may find that keeping a journal can enlighten you to attitudes that influence your success.

When you find yourself struggling to make progress, thumb through the pages of your journal and see what you aren't doing now that you did in the past. What has changed? You might be surprised and motivated as you travel down memory lane.

The act of pondering in itself may set you back on track. Sometimes we just get too busy doing and running - we just need to sit down and think things through. Remember to keep it positive. Is there someone who you look up to? How did they make it to success?

Think of the men and women throughout history who have accomplished seemingly impossible tasks. Some of them did so in the very midst of negative influences. Christopher Columbus sailed around a world that others thought was flat. His persistence and belief brought him to a new world. Sure, maybe someday someone else would've sailed the same route, but it was he who met new peoples, explored new lands, and brought wealth back again. Of course he had troubles along the way - scurvy, storms, and mutinous crewmen. Yet he still accomplished what many thought was impossible.

Don't let impossibilities stand in your way. Every mountain can be conquered. Mt. Everest, the highest mountain in the world, has been scaled many times. It's important to recall that Mount Everest wasn't the first mountain they had ever climbed. Just like you, they conquered smaller mountains before they achieved their ultimate dream.

Keep a positive attitude about failures. Yes, there've even been men who lost their lives on the hike up Mount Everest, but remember that they attained heights that you and I may never reach. They died closer to success than they were before they tried. By the way, did it ever occur you that the new world Christopher Columbus discovered actually prevented him from achieving his goal of reaching India? Who knows when setbacks will be astoundingly beneficial!

Read Setting Goals - The Foundation of A Successful Career