Goal Setting: A Guide to Determining Your True Desires

Free AI web copilot to create summaries, insights and extended knowledge, download it at here

1970

Abstract

nnot stress enough the importance of getting out a notebook and pen to write them out. Maybe you have a solid idea of what it is you want but try doing this exercise as a brainstorming session. You might surprise yourself with what comes to mind. Nothing is too big or too small for your list; just write whatever you think of.Putting your goals in writing is a way of telling your subconscious mind you are serious about achieving them. Reading the ideas you write down will help you analyze them, ensure they are relevant, and exciting to you. Not to mention having something physical to revisit will help you stay motivated and enables you to monitor your progress.For this exercise, think of medium-term goals that can be achieved in 2 years or less. If what you write down will take longer than 2 years, write a mini-goal towards it that can be achieved within the timeframe. The goals you write down can be oriented towards any area of life.A goal without a timeline is just a dream ~ Robert HerjavecWrite at least 30 goals. That may seem like a lot, but let your creativity run free. The only limits you have in life are the ones you set for yourself.Next, you will streamline your list. Are there any that are similar and can be crossed out or grouped to create one goal? Is there any that doesn’t excite you? Cross them off, those are not your goals, that is environmental conditioning rearing its ugly head.With each of the remaining items, assign a number between 1–5 based on their level of importance; 1 being most important to you and 5 is the least.Select your top 1–3 goals. The goal(s) you choose should have the most substantial long-term effects on your life and will take approximately 12–24 months to achieve.Create your vision. Close your eyes and imagine your goals as

Options

reality occurring in the present. Apply all 5 senses to this visualization. What can you taste, touch, smell, see, and hear? How do you feel emotionally?An example that I like to use with my clients is a dream vacation to a tropical island. Are you on the beach? Is the sand silky or gritty? Can you feel the heat of the sun on your skin, or are you under a big umbrella? What color is the umbrella? Can you hear the waves lapping on the shore? Does the air smell salty? Are you eating or drinking something? How does it taste?Write out everything you experienced during your visualization so that you will have something concrete to return to when you need a little extra motivation.<h1 id="9dbc">For Fun</h1>A fun activity that you can also do (and one I enjoy) is creating a vision board. You can use photographs, drawings, magazine cut-outs, or phrases and quotes, feel free to let your creative juices flow. The purpose of this board is to evoke an emotional response and serve as a reminder of the bigger picture that you are working towards. You will want to display your vision board in a place where you will frequently see it.Hopefully I have been able to provide you with some new tips and tricks on setting goals that are in your best interest, and have shown you how to determine if the goals you are setting are yours, or things that you think you should want based on external influences.<h1 id="ba05">Thanks For Reading!</h1>Want to go more in-depth with your goal setting and have some one-on-one time with me? I will help you hone in on your goals, and hold you accountable for achieving them. <a href="http://kristenabram.com/index.php/work-with-me/">Click here to learn more!</a>Originally published at <a href="http://kristenabram.com/index.php/2020/10/25/goal-setting/">http://kristenabram.com</a> on October 25, 2020.</article></body>

Are your goals yours, or are they based on external influences?

You may think that you know what your goals are, but do you? There is more to goal setting than a lot of us think! We are often so conditioned by the world around us that we think we know what we want or should have, but we lose sight of what it is we genuinely want for ourselves. We see commercials on TV, hear ads on the radio, listen to the advice of loved ones, and get bombarded on social media with images of the “ideal life.” This constant flood of ideas eventually takes the forefront of our minds and influences what we think we want.

Are you following a path others have set for you? Do you think about what other people might think of you before acting on an idea? Do you use the word “should” when talking about your goals? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are living your life for others and not yourself. Your time here on earth is not meant to be spent living other people’s ideologies of what is best for you. It’s your time to shine and enjoy life!

When you set a goal that is not your desire or in your best interest, it will be incredibly difficult to achieve it, and if you do accomplish it, you likely won’t be happy with the results. When a goal lights a fire in your belly every time you think about it, it is going to be a million times easier to achieve. (OK, I may be exaggerating there, but I’m sure you get my drift.)

Write Your Goals Down!

This is a commonly skipped step when setting goals, and I cannot stress enough the importance of getting out a notebook and pen to write them out. Maybe you have a solid idea of what it is you want but try doing this exercise as a brainstorming session. You might surprise yourself with what comes to mind. Nothing is too big or too small for your list; just write whatever you think of.

Putting your goals in writing is a way of telling your subconscious mind you are serious about achieving them. Reading the ideas you write down will help you analyze them, ensure they are relevant, and exciting to you. Not to mention having something physical to revisit will help you stay motivated and enables you to monitor your progress.

For this exercise, think of medium-term goals that can be achieved in 2 years or less. If what you write down will take longer than 2 years, write a mini-goal towards it that can be achieved within the timeframe. The goals you write down can be oriented towards any area of life.

A goal without a timeline is just a dream ~ Robert Herjavec

Write at least 30 goals. That may seem like a lot, but let your creativity run free. The only limits you have in life are the ones you set for yourself.

Next, you will streamline your list. Are there any that are similar and can be crossed out or grouped to create one goal? Is there any that doesn’t excite you? Cross them off, those are not your goals, that is environmental conditioning rearing its ugly head.

With each of the remaining items, assign a number between 1–5 based on their level of importance; 1 being most important to you and 5 is the least.

Select your top 1–3 goals. The goal(s) you choose should have the most substantial long-term effects on your life and will take approximately 12–24 months to achieve.

Create your vision. Close your eyes and imagine your goals as reality occurring in the present. Apply all 5 senses to this visualization. What can you taste, touch, smell, see, and hear? How do you feel emotionally?

An example that I like to use with my clients is a dream vacation to a tropical island. Are you on the beach? Is the sand silky or gritty? Can you feel the heat of the sun on your skin, or are you under a big umbrella? What color is the umbrella? Can you hear the waves lapping on the shore? Does the air smell salty? Are you eating or drinking something? How does it taste?

Write out everything you experienced during your visualization so that you will have something concrete to return to when you need a little extra motivation.

For Fun

A fun activity that you can also do (and one I enjoy) is creating a vision board. You can use photographs, drawings, magazine cut-outs, or phrases and quotes, feel free to let your creative juices flow. The purpose of this board is to evoke an emotional response and serve as a reminder of the bigger picture that you are working towards. You will want to display your vision board in a place where you will frequently see it.

Hopefully I have been able to provide you with some new tips and tricks on setting goals that are in your best interest, and have shown you how to determine if the goals you are setting are yours, or things that you think you should want based on external influences.