Goal-setting is a very helpful enterprise any time of year.
And as we move into a new season, goal-setting becomes even more important, timely, and invigorating. The start of spring (here in the northern hemisphere …) is an especially good time to pause and reflect on where we’ve been – and where we’d like to go as warmer weather (hopefully) opens blossoms and new possibilities!
Mindset has a big impact on goal-setting, as it profoundly affects your perspective, the energy you bring, and your sense of possibility. So, to help ensure that you’re setting goals in a frame of mind that’s positive and helpful for you, I offer the following tips:
Goal-Setting Tip #1. Strive for clarity.
Ask yourself – how much time have you actually spent creating a clear picture of what you want and why you want it? If you have not seriously reflected upon this important question, or if your idea of what you want changes frequently, your goals will be written in sand.
So, I’d suggest that you give yourself the gift of taking 15 minutes 2 or 3 times over the course of the coming week to think about what you truly want and why you want it. Jot down notes. At the end of the week, you’ll be ready to set clear goals that truly represent how you picture your ideal life.
Not only that, but in getting clear, you will have created the energy and motivation to achieve that outcome!
Goal-Setting Tip #2. Tweak Your Dream.
Building on Tip #1, step back and re-examine the goal you’ve defined to ensure that it’s realistic. You may find that you need to pare it down to make it more specific and reachable. Or you might need to modify it further, maybe even adding pieces, to make it come alive in your mind.
Goal-Setting Tip #3. Cultivate awareness.
This valuable state of mind is powerfully encouraged by setting goals; and it dramatically improves your life.
Make a habit of looking at your goals – or the outcomes you have defined as most desirable for your life – at least once a day – and more is better. Doing this helps to ensure a constant state of awareness of your goal, and of why it is important to achieve it.
Goal-Setting Tip #4. Work Backwards
Once you’ve thoroughly assimilated your goal, you’re ready to work backwards as you plan your path to achieving your goal. Working backwards prevents you from falling into the common trap of making action steps too big. Now, document each action step you need to take to be where you want to be.
Goal-Setting Tip #5: Validate Your Efforts
Each step along the way, give yourself a pat on the back for following through on your goal-setting and your action steps. You are building a vital and enriching relationship with yourself in this give-and-take. Not only that, but self-validation creates energy and confidence, which helps with any challenges that arise.
I hope that you find these goal-setting tips helpful … and wish you much time success!
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