How to Set Effective Goals

A dream is just a dream. A goal is a dream with a plan and a deadline, Harvey MacKay.

A goal without a plan is just wishful thinking, a dream without anything to back it up (almost) never produce results. Dreams are only dreams till plans are made to make them a reality. Then, hard work and perseverance is the only way to achieve them!, Anawim.

It is very important for you to set goals. However, if you fail to achieve them, they could become a stumbling stone rather than a stepping stone.

If you fail to achieve your goals, please consider the following ideas:

1. There are no failures, only outcomes, walls are lessons to be learned on the road to success, to grow and achieve a higher potencial.
2. Don’t blame anyone, not even yourself. Learning and life are messy, just focus on what you have learned or need to learn from that experience.
3. Stay focused on your goals, never, ever give up!
4. Evaluate, be flexible and committed to adjust your plan and actions, your road map to success.
5. Forget all your bullshit and drama: take decisive action despite doubts, uncertainty, and obstacles.

If there’s one thing that’s certain in life, it’s uncertainty. The only thing that is constant is change. Embrace them! - Anawim.

Moreover, goals should be:

• Specific. For example, “I will run as many days as I can fit into my schedule”, “I will go to the gym as many times as possible” are not specific. Pardon my French, but this is just rubbish! A specific goal would be something like “I will walk briskly for 30 minutes five times per week” or “I will go to the gym at 6 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.”
• Difficult enough to challenge you. A goal loses its meaning and interest when it does not require a real effort. If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you. Use every challenge as an opportunity to grow, evolve, practice what you intend to master and become better.
• Achievable and realistic. Intermediate goals are significant steps towards your overall vision. They do need to be difficult enough to challenge you, but they also need to be easy enough not to discourage you.

If the milestone is so difficult to achieve that becomes impossible, you will increase your frustration and will reduce your self-esteem. It is essential to find the middle ground: an intermediate goal should challenge you but, bearing in mind, what is within your abilities, willpower, and limitations; it should neither be too difficult to avoid getting stressed out or frustrated, and therefore, giving up, nor too easy to cause boredom.

However, if you are in doubt, it is far better to set achievable and realistic milestones, and then, little by little, as you increase your confidence, improve your physical performance with constant practice, you can challenge yourself with more difficult goals.