Principles of Goal Setting.

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I have been able to state the importance of goal setting in my previous post and you can find it here. I will be moving on to the principles you can adopt when you want to set your goals.

We have different types of goals that you can set depending on your strength and what you have in mind. There is no limit to a determined mind.

Principles of Goal Setting:

These are the things you need to understand while setting your goals.

1. What are your life goals?

Life goals can be broken down into 4 stages that I will be sharing with you.

Types of goals:

A. Long Term Goals:

These are the goals we call the major or the macro goals and they are usually between 10 years to 25 years. They usually take between this length of years to achieve.

B. Medium Term Goals:

These are goals you set for the medium-term just as the name implies. We also call them monitor or intermediate or starting goals and these kinds take between 5 years to 10 years to achieve.

C. Short Term Goals:

These short term goals can be achieved between 1 year to 5 years and you can also call them Mini or Micro goals.

D. Here and Now Goals:

These are the goals not many people acknowledge but we often do them either daily, weekly, monthly or quarterly. The maximum time you can set these kinds of goals would be for just a year. You can even tag them as your goals for the year because they are serving goals.

To be effective in the pursuit of your goals - whichever category they fall into, you have to be disciplined.

2. Set goals for every area of your life:

I know how exhausting this can be but that's why I have stated how much this goal means to you? How determined are you to get things done for yourself? In the first post, I made which I linked already in this post, I have already explained why we need to set goals. I totally understand that our life's goals are different and there is no faulting of anyone who just wants to stay laid back and relax. We see life differently and there is no right or wrong way where the setting of goals is concerned but the truth is for those who want more, any area of your life that you don't set goals for, that area will always remain untapped, underdeveloped and unchallenged.

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3. Know the difference between personal goals and organizational goals:

You need to be able to differentiate between your personal goals and the goals of the organization that you work for. This is why it is important to work for organizations that fuel your own goals or at least, do the things you love or work in an organization you have passion for so you won't have a conflict of interest. Your personal goals must not die while chasing your organizational goals. You are to work your plans while planning your work too. You need to stop counting your days or your time but make sure you make your days or time count.

4. Stop setting goals haphazardly:

There are those who set one goal and then dump it while jumping on another. If you don't have the strength or capacity to handle multiple goals especially the long term goals and the medium-term goals simultaneously, then try and finish up with a goal or set it in a good course before embarking on another. If you keep setting goals haphazardly you will be frustrated and won't be able to achieve anything definite.

5. Be reasonable:

You have to be reasonable with your goals. You should be able to set tangible, definite and measurable goals - goals that you can relate with and that is visible. Your goals should be able to specify what you are going to do, when you intend to do it and when it will be achieved. You have to be realistic and don't deceive yourself by being vague.

6. Be Realistic:

I differentiate this one from being reasonable for a reason. Are the goals you are setting or want to set achievable? Look at your current position before setting your goals. I know your goals should stretch you but don't overshoot them. A lot of people who haven't even saved money before would sound unrealistic if they want to push themselves to save 70% of their earning. Don't go too low and don't push too high either. Find a realistic and middle ground and pitch it. This is to avoid getting discouraged and frustrated while following through with your goals.

Thank you for your time.