Amp Up Your Achievement with the Fierce 5 of Goal Setting

Let’s be real- everyone wants something. All of us, regardless of age, gender, or background- there’s a desire or at least a dream within us all.

Some of us want to drop a few pounds. Or maybe fire up that libido and get more intimately connected with our significant other more often. Maybe you want to be so short-tempered with your kids?

They are all valid wants and desires that should be recognized.

But instead of just saying we want something, its much more impactful to recognize exactly what we want and the reasons we want them. Not only will that get us better results, but the end result will feel more rewarding.

There are many methods of goal setting out there, but let’s skip all the fluff. The fierce five of goal setting keeps it simple and gets you to the end zone faster.

Here are the simplest and most powerful way to set meaningful goals.

Being specific is the key to attracting what you want in life.

If you can't picture it, how are you supposed to go after it? It sounds easy enough to determine what we want, but just saying “I want to be healthy” isn’t exactly enough.

Clear and concise targets are critical for goal setting, so instead of a blanket statement of “healthy,” state something like “I want to lose 10 pounds,” or “I want to get off my blood pressure medication.”

Want to make more money?

Determine what exactly that looks like. Is it getting a raise within a certain period of time?

Maybe it is increasing the sales in your business, or taking on 3 more clients.

Whatever it is for you, determine exactly what you need to do to get to your desired results, and focus solely on those tasks.

A recent study done by Professor Gail Matthews, PhD, of Dominican University, California concluded that writing down your goals increases the likelihood of achieving them by 42%.

That means that seeing your goals on paper is a driving force that will keep you progressing towards the finish line.

So getting that pen on paper (or text on the proverbial “page”) is what is going to make the biggest impact. Looking at your goals list regularly (daily is best) will help you stay on track.

Sometimes looking at a list of goals feels like staring up at a mountain you’re supposed to climb, but you’re winded just looking at it.

Goals lists should not feel like this, and they shouldn’t feel like chores lists either.

All a target or goal boils down to is simply a bunch of small tasks.

So that goal of losing ten pounds really just looks like 3 or 4 small goals over a period of time. That may mean eating less processed foods, eliminating soda, and doing 20–30 minutes of exercise daily.

Maybe it means not eating after 8pm.

Or maybe its eliminating sweets 5 days a week.

Whatever it is, make it manageable.

When we look at goals as smaller, manageable chunks, they feel much more feasible and realistic and less like a huge, insurmountable mountain.

Setting goals and not tracking your progress is like planting a garden and then never going back to check on it. Without you there to water and tend the garden, there will be no harvest. Little to no progress will be made if you make a list of goals and then put it in a drawer somewhere, never to be seen again.

The best practice is to set a time weekly to track your progress and check off the tasks that you have completed, or habits that you stayed in alignment with. Checking things off of your list will keep your eyes on the prize. And recognizing your wins and celebrating victories keep us focused and in a positive mindset about our goals.

Having a clearly defined purpose and meaning behind your reasons for wanting something will naturally propel you forward faster, and keep you grounded. Health goals might be in place so that you can live longer and watch your children or grandchildren grow up.

Professional goals might be so you can retire earlier or take a vacation.

Whatever your reasons are, make sure that you focus on that driving force, instead of the task itself.

This especially helps when hard times hit and doubt seeps in.

How fierce are you?

When setting your goals, start small so it doesn’t feel overwhelming. Losing 30 pounds would be great, but 10 feels more attainable in a short time and therefore will keep you more motivated.

Don’t be afraid to look at all of the different areas of your life and evaluate what is most important to you.

Little changes can make a big difference.

In the area of relationships, how about spending two uninterrupted hours a week with your spouse or child, without TV or any distractions? In the educational/personal growth sector, if you set aside 30 minutes a day to read, you could finish a book every month or two.

For professional pursuits, would it serve you to go to an event of like-minded people once or twice a month just to get out of your comfort zone?

Goals are great. We all have desires and want to improve our lives. The most important way that we can achieve anything we want is to set our minds to it, and make small, consistent steps to reach the target.

So stake your claim, broadcast your desires, and declare victory.

The world is your oyster- but it’s up to you to shuck it.