Reach For The Stars: Personal Goal Setting Tips
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Setting Goals Helps Bring Our Dreams Into Reality!
"Everyone needs something to aim for.
You can call it a challenge,
or you can call it a goal.
It is what makes us human.
It was challenges
that took us from being cavemen
to reaching for the stars."
- Richard Branson
Goals give us a direction to take. They motivate us and guide us. Goals take everything from our smallest hopes and wishes to our biggest dreams, and help them become reality. In fact, the very act of goal setting takes us one step closer to achieving that goal.
This page contains tips for selecting your own goals, as well as inspiring goal setting quotes and photos!
"The tragedy of life doesn't lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goals to reach." -Benjamin Mays
How to Start Setting Your Goals
Begin Setting Your Goals By Brainstorming!
Wondering how to start writing your goals? In January, I created a list of goals for myself for the year. I began by brainstorming. Instead of considering whether or not I could actually achieve a certain goal or judging it in any other way, I just quickly jotted some down. In other words, I wrote whatever came to me. This was, after all, a brainstorming session!
I didn't worry about perfecting the goals at first. I just got the basic aspect of the goal down on paper. I knew I wasn't stuck with anything I wrote and that I could go back later and rewrite any of my goals until they expressed exactly what I wanted them to say.
In fact, it's always a good idea to keep flexibility in mind even after you've made your goals. Part way into the year, you may decide that something you thought was important just isn't that important to you after all. If that happens, either drop that goal completely, or change it to suit your current needs! You're in no way bound for the year with the goals you select today!
So pull out a pad and a pencil, or open a document on your computer, and brainstorm your personal goals. You can make small short term goals, small long term goals, bigger long term goals, or a combination of all three! Don't worry about getting them down just perfect at first. You can work more on that later. Just get some basic ideas down!
I didn't worry about perfecting the goals at first. I just got the basic aspect of the goal down on paper. I knew I wasn't stuck with anything I wrote and that I could go back later and rewrite any of my goals until they expressed exactly what I wanted them to say.
In fact, it's always a good idea to keep flexibility in mind even after you've made your goals. Part way into the year, you may decide that something you thought was important just isn't that important to you after all. If that happens, either drop that goal completely, or change it to suit your current needs! You're in no way bound for the year with the goals you select today!
So pull out a pad and a pencil, or open a document on your computer, and brainstorm your personal goals. You can make small short term goals, small long term goals, bigger long term goals, or a combination of all three! Don't worry about getting them down just perfect at first. You can work more on that later. Just get some basic ideas down!
Brainstorming your goals
Tips on creating goals
If you are having trouble brainstorming your goals, here are a few questions you may want to ask yourself. Perhaps one or more of these will help.
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What do you really enjoy doing? List several things. Are there any of them that you could take another step with this year?
- Is there anything about your life you'd like to change? What steps could you take to begin to change that?
- Would you like to be more outgoing, spend more time with your family, begin a new career or supplement your current one? What small step could you take now that would lead you in that direction? Remember, you don't have to make a big leap all at once!
- Does travel appeal to you? If so, what steps can you take now that can help that dream become a reality later?
- Maybe you'd like to ask God or the universe for help in discovering your larger dreams as well as your next steps in life. If so, here's one way to go about that. Write the question on a piece of paper and leaving it beside your bed. Then make note of your dreams when you wake up. Also make note of anything out of the ordinary in your daily life for the next few days. Maybe the answer will come to you over the radio or tv (Yes, that does happen to people! It's happened to me before, as well as others I know!). Maybe someone standing in line in the grocery store in front of you will say something which will give you an idea. Or the answer may come to you as an article in the newspaper or a magazine. Your boss, friend, family member, or neighbor may casually say something which gives you an idea, without even being aware of it themselves. Or the answer could simply just pop into your head! When you ask the Universe or God a question, keep your eyes and ears open for an answer from just about anywhere!
The next step is to prioritize the goals you've brainstormed.
If you've come up with quite a few, consider how important each one is to you.
Once you've finished brainstorming, go back and examine your goals. Which ones are most important to you? Put a star beside them. Of those, how many can you realistically stick with? Do they compete with one another in terms of your personal resources - such as your time or money? If so, list them in order of importance to you and then decide which one or ones you'll choose to focus on now, and which you'll save for later. Keep in mind that if you try to focus on too many goals at once, especially when you're first getting started with goal setting, you might not accomplish any of them.
"If you don't take risks, you won't achieve anything." - Richard Branson
But don't worry!
Not every goal has to be so tall!
Nor do you have to achieve it
in a single day!
The best way to achieve your goals is one small step at a time!
Next, break your larger goals into smaller, more managable parts.
Then take it one step at a time!
If you have larger goals in mind, break them down into smaller steps. Don't worry about whether or not you can achieve the whole goal yet. If you just look at the big goal looming over you, lack of confidence in your ability to achieve the goal may hijack your efforts. Many times looking at the larger goal and worrying we'll never be able to accomplish it, keeps us from even starting. Just focus on one small step that you know you can do. When you've completed that one, look for the next step and make that your next goal. Remember that every journey starts with a single step.
Sometimes it's helpful to work backwards. Start with your ultimate goal - the end result - and think about the step that would come right before achieving that ultimate goal. Then think about the step that would come right before that one, and so on, until you come to your very first step for that goal. But whether you work forwards, from where you are right now to where you want to be, or your create your plan backwards from where you want to be to where you are right now, the important key is to break those larger goals down into smaller, manageable steps.
Sometimes it's helpful to work backwards. Start with your ultimate goal - the end result - and think about the step that would come right before achieving that ultimate goal. Then think about the step that would come right before that one, and so on, until you come to your very first step for that goal. But whether you work forwards, from where you are right now to where you want to be, or your create your plan backwards from where you want to be to where you are right now, the important key is to break those larger goals down into smaller, manageable steps.
Have your goals and individual steps on paper now?
Go back and reread them! Make sure they express what you really want to accomplish!
After you have your goals listed, take another look. Ever hear the saying, "be careful what you ask for?" It's a good idea to be careful with the wording you choose for your goals. Making sure they say exactly what you want them to say. After all, you may just get what you ask for!
Got your goals the way you like them now? Don't stop there! Now you need to work towards achieving them! Bring them into reality! Remember, it all starts with a single step.
Got your goals the way you like them now? Don't stop there! Now you need to work towards achieving them! Bring them into reality! Remember, it all starts with a single step.
"Do something everyday that moves you at least one step closer to your most important goal." - Brian Tracy
Goals!: How to Get Everything You Want -- Faster Than You Ever Thought Possible
available on Kindle, or in paperback and audiobook
Goals!: How to Get Everything You Want -- Faster Than You Ever Thought Possible
Amazon Price: $9.39 (as of 05/27/2012)
Brian Tracy's book, "Goal's: How to Get Everything You Want - Faster Than You Ever Thought Possible!" is full of instructions and helpful tips for discovering, setting and achieving our goals. Tracy tells us, "Do something everyday that moves you at least one step closer to your most important goal."
Don't worry. He also gives us some means of finding out what our most important goals are! Among many other things, Tracy asks us to ask ourselves, "What one great thing would you dare to dream if you knew you could not fail?"
Would you like to see my list of (as well as my progress in achieving) my personal 2011 goals?
- My Personal Goals: Living Life to the Fullest
- This site is a collection of my personal 2011 goals! It includes inspiring photos and quotes about goal setting as well.
"Be Realistic: Expect A Miracle"
"Looking for a Miracle" - a song by Bill Mann
curated content from YouTube
"When we are motivated by goals that have deep meaning,
by dreams that need completion,
by pure love that needs expressing,
then we truly live life."
- Greg Anderson
Here are some additional goal setting resources you may find helpful as you set your goals!
"You gotta have a dream.
If you don't have a dream,
how you gonna have
a dream come true?"
-Lyrics in Happy Talk from South Pacific
Enjoy this site on Achieving Your Dreams and Goals?
If so, how about a thumbs up?
This module only appears with actual data when viewed on a live lens. The favorite and lensroll options will appear on a live lens if the viewer is a member of Squidoo and logged in.
Tell us about your goals!
What goals in the past have been success stories for you?
Questions? Comments?
You do not have to be a member of Squidoo to leave a comment here! Everyone's welcome! I'd love to hear from you!
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OhMe Jan 31, 2012 @ 11:22 am | delete
- I need to get my goals organized and appreciate this lens.
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cjnewsome
Jan 30, 2012 @ 2:47 pm | delete
- You need goals to have a purpose.
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andrearicciardi
Jan 29, 2012 @ 3:11 pm | delete
- i love making goals!
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KimGiancaterino Jan 21, 2012 @ 2:07 pm | delete
- Writing goals down is important. I keep spiral books on my desk to organize practically every project. Perfect time of year for this lens!
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Brite-Ideas
Jan 20, 2012 @ 8:58 am | delete
- Like most serious Squids are (I suspect), am very goal oriented, finding that I achieve the best results when I feel, believe and see the end result long before attaining it. Lovely lens. :)
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Ramkitten
Jan 20, 2012 @ 8:00 am | delete
- I'm a very goal-oriented person. If I don't have things to work towards, both creative and physical challenges among other things--I get depressed.
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kitty222
Jan 14, 2012 @ 9:59 pm | delete
- Been working on my goals...Bit by bit...It takes time, but then, I dream big. Probably my biggest advice for anyone with a goal is to not be discouraged by setbacks because they will happen. NASA would never have reached the Moon if they gave up after "Kaputnik" or "The Four Inch Flight" or the Apollo 1 disaster and you shouldn't give up, either.
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Close2Art
Jan 13, 2012 @ 10:12 pm | delete
- it makes sense to try and make your goal come to being by working backwards from the goal, Great!!!Blessed
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mbgphoto Jan 13, 2012 @ 5:01 pm | delete
- Last year I wrote a lens listing 6 goals for the coming year for my photography and squidoo business. I felt very motivated and accomplished 5 of the 6 goals. I think taking the time to set the goals helped me in meeting them! Your lens reminded me to start to work on some more goals for the coming year. thanks and blessed by a squidangel.
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leahjsongs
Jan 12, 2012 @ 9:25 am | delete
- I know everyone enjoying this lens will not share my experience, I personally find that bathing my goal-setting in prayer and listening for God's guidance not only gives me comfort in God's promise that if we commit our way to the Lord, our plans will succeed, but also frees me to be more imaginative in figuring out how to reach my goals.
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nyclittleitaly
Jan 7, 2012 @ 7:03 pm | delete
- Great lens, Thank you
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Gigi2012
Jan 7, 2012 @ 5:32 pm | delete
- It's all about baby steps that get you to where you need to go!
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Paula7928 Jan 6, 2012 @ 11:24 pm | delete
- What a great lens!
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benny77
Jan 6, 2012 @ 9:53 am | delete
- Great Lens...Thank you!
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tracysmith159
Jan 5, 2012 @ 9:39 am | delete
- Wonderful article. I have learned to never give up.
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© 2012 Janiece Tobey. All rights reserved.
Page last updated 5/26/12.
Page last updated 5/26/12.
by Janiece
Hi! I'm an author, a vegetarian, and a homeschooling mom. I'm currently writing a book about various types of spiritual experiences women often report... more »
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Goal Setting: How to Create an Action Plan and Achieve Your Goals
Also available for the Kindle and as an audiobook.
Goal Setting: How to Create an Action Plan and Achieve Your Goals (Worksmart)
Amazon Price: $5.09 (as of 05/27/2012)
Goal Setting: 13 Secrets of World Class Achievers
on the Kindle - 99 cents
Goal Setting: 13 Secrets of World Class Achievers
Amazon Price: (as of 05/28/2012)
Red Means Go!: Secrets to Achieving a Happy, Effective and Successful Life with You in the Driver's Seat
Also available for the Kindle and as an audible book
Red Means Go!: Secrets to Achieving a Happy, Effective and Successful Life with You in the Driver's Seat
Amazon Price: $16.89 (as of 05/27/2012)
