Got Goals? Think Again
We've all done it. Made those big resolutions, only to get discouraged, then disappointed, then disgusted. Sound familiar? Year after year, time after time, we dream, we plan, we fail, and we beat ourselves up.

After a while we just give up, assuming that the fault lies with us, or with the act of setting goals. We may stop setting concrete milestones for ourselves to hit or, worse yet, we may stop dreaming altogether.

The Missing Pieces
So why this cycle? The reason is simple - we've actually missed some of the critical pieces of setting - and achieving - our goals successfully! There's more to it than to say "I want to be healthier this year" or "I want a new job".

Setting the Stage
Before we dive into the actual process of setting effective goals, I strongly encourage you to do this process in writing. Just the act of putting things down on paper (or on the screen, as it were) is tremendously powerful. Really.

1. See Me, Hear Me…
The first step is to get really clear on what it is that you want. Visualize it, using as many of your senses as you can. See it, smell it, feel it, taste it; hear what accomplishing this goal, achieving this vision would be like. Make it real for yourself - your mind can't tell the difference between real sensations and imagined ones. Use that to your advantage!

Interlude - A Few Examples
Now, don't confuse a vision with a goal. A vision is abstract, something that you want to move toward. It's stated in the present tense, to help you see yourself in it in real time. A goal, on the contrary, is very specific, and can be phrased in the future tense.

For example, my vision could be "I am choosing to take loving care of my body, by feeding it well and moving it joyfully and frequently". A goal that may support this vision is "I exercise for 45 minutes 3 times per week in February, each time within my target heart rate range". See the difference?

This is the most frequently overlooked step - and the most powerful one! Come back frequently and re-read your vision. Keep it real for yourself!

2. Who Cares? The Commitment Clause
Once you can really sense your vision, take a look at what difference will it make in your life if you make this change. What will you gain? What positive impact will this have on your life? And, conversely, what will it cost you if you don't follow this path? What negative impact will this have on your life? Take some time in answering these question.

It is these types of questions, which have you really feel the pleasure of having your goal achieved, and the pain of staying stuck without it, that will fuel your commitment to this goal.

3. What To Do, What To Do?
Now, it's time for a plan. Yup, you heard me. The best way to create your plan is to go backwards - that is, start from the place (say, one year or six months out) where your vision is achieved, and step back in 1-month or 3-month increments. What has been done at this point? What's left to do?

This is a very useful trick to get through the overwhelm of a large vision, and put it into concrete practice. It will also help you see what goals you need to set.

4. How Smart are You?
Now, we're finally ready to break down your vision and your plan into concrete goals. You may have in the past seen effective goals characterized as "SMART". That's simply an acronym that shows you what makes for good goal-setting. It stands for: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound.

Take a look at each of these areas in relation to your vision. Now, craft several very specific and measurable goals that would support you in reaching your vision. Does this feel achievable? Make sure your goals could be achieved, and that they have specific time parameters.

5. In It For The Long Haul - Daily and Consistent
At this point, you have your vision, your commitment, a plan, and a set of goals - now, it's time to take action! Break the steps down into tiny pieces, and ask yourself - what little thing can I do every day to further yourself on this path?

Some days it could be a little as re-reading your vision statement. Others may involve more actions. The important thing is to be consistent, and to keep present to the overall vision.

And… Voila! You are now ready to take over the world!

Too Simple?
Sure, there's a lot more to be said about this process, I could write a whole book on this topic. But here you have a very solid start. Don't shortchange yourself by thinking you need more information before diving in! Really - try it out. Do it now - just take a few minutes and run through this process. See what can come into your life when you set intentional, vision-based, commitment and belief-driven, SMART, and plan-supported goals.

Here's to you!

Plant the Seeds:
Now it's your turn. Take a couple of minutes and try these exercises. Really. Try it now. You never know - hey, what's next...

1. Create your vision - use all of your senses to craft what it is that you truly want.
   
   
2. Connect with why it is that you really want this - what will you gain? What will it cost you if you don't pursue this vision? Again, use all your senses to make the pain and the pleasure real for yourself - this will generate your commitment to this vision.
   
   
3. Make a specific plan, working backwards from the completion of your vision. As you hit each milestone, revisit the overall plan, and see if it needs some tweaking. It's ok to change the plan - as long as you have one.
   
   
4. Craft your goals, and make them SMART. Put them where you will see them frequently.



5. Take daily actions to further yourself on your path toward your vision. Small and consistent is the key!

  As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts, comments, and insights.

And, if you're truly serious about taking on a big dream this year - let me help you achieve it faster, easier, and with more fun than you would alone. Drop me a line at inna@heyWhatsNext.com.

© 2005 Inna Nirenburg