Learn how to set goals

1. Setting Goals for Personal Growth
Setting and achieving goals for personal growth can be very satisfying. But setting and failing can be
quite frustrating and discouraging, causing us to turn away from setting any future goals. Before
committing to your goals, you'll want to know a few important considerations about your goals that
you want to achieve. So ask yourself the following questions and reflect on the answers that come
up for you. If you can be truthful in this process, you can set the stage for reaching success.
Is it really your goal?
Are you pursing this goal for some personal reason, and not because it’s what someone else wants
you to do? A major cause of goal failure is that we take on the wishes of what other people think
we should have. There's certainly nothing wrong with getting input from valued family and
friends, but it’s important to make sure that when you decide on a goal, it is a goal that you want
for yourself.
What are your reasons for wanting to achieve this goal?
Is there clarity for you around why this goal is so important? Do you really know what it is you
hope to gain from achieving this goal? Most underlying benefits ultimately translate into a feeling
we want to own. Consider the benefits of your goal in terms of how you'll feel when you achieve
it. Lock that feeling in your mind so you can call it up when you have a setback or feel
discouraged.
To what extent does this goal get you energized?
Goals that are too easy or too hard really don’t work to motivate us. Yes, it’s important that we
stretch ourselves with what we think we are capable of achieving; challenging is still doable. You
will know if a goal is doable because when you imagine the goal and visualize yourself there, you
should feel a burst of energy. If not, the goal may be too difficult or too easy. If too difficult
you'll get easily discouraged by lack of progress and probably give up. If too easy, you may be
likely to put it off thinking you can start working on it later.
To what extent can you imagine yourself reaching this goal?
A goal that is challenging but achievable, has clear and attractive benefits and is truly your goal, will
be easy to visualize. You should be able to see yourself clearly achieving the goal and enjoying the
benefits. If not, change the goal, set an interim goal or go back to step one, reflecting on whether
it is really your goal.
www.emboldenlifecoaching.com michelle@emboldenlifecoaching.com