Setting Goals the Right Way

Do your goals have a way of just . . . slipping away from you?

According to research conducted by Harvard Business Study, 83 percent of participants had no specific goals, 14 percent had goals but had not written them down, and only 3 percent had written goals. This indicates that most people today don’t set goals, and even fewer write them down. But setting goals is proven to significantly increase our success in life. So, here are a few key strategies for setting goals the right way.

Set SMART Goals

A simple strategy to set the right goals is to use the SMART acronym, which stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. First, the more specific your goals are, the better. It’s much easier to track your progress on a goal like “play basketball with my son on Saturdays” than “be a better dad.” Similarly, it’s easier to gauge your progress when goals are quantified. Next, if your goal is impossible to achieve, it won’t be very motivating, so make sure it is something you can realistically accomplish. Then, confirm that your goal is relevant in that it is worthwhile and applicable to you. Finally, set a time frame for your goal to ensure that you reach it as quickly as you can!

Write Your Goals Down

Did you know that you are 1.4 times more likely to achieve your goal if you write it down? One reason for this is that keeping a written goal makes it easy to access, and you will be reminded of it when you flip open your notebook or glance at the sticky note on your desk. But even more than this, when you write something down, your brain is more likely to store it in your long-term memory. Just a small extra effort in writing your goals down can make a huge difference in your success at achieving them.

Make a Plan to Overcome Obstacles

Finally, when you are trying to reach a goal, there are sure to be obstacles along the way. So, take some time when you are setting goals to plan ahead. Think of what has prevented you from accomplishing your goal in the past or imagine things that could come up in the future. Then, decide what you will do if those obstacles come up. If you have a plan, you are more likely to overcome obstacles instead of letting them discourage you and giving up on your goal.

We want our residents at The Lincoln on Grand to be successful in all of their endeavors. Spend some time evaluating your ambitions and setting goals. When you do, follow these strategies to set the most effective goals that will lead to success!