5 Secrets To Setting Short-Term Goals

Thursday 9 July, 2009

by Mike Brooks

Setting short-term goals is a quick and effective way to develop momentum, build confidence and get some meaningful things accomplished. Follow this 5-step method of setting short-term goals and your life WILL change 3 to 6 months from now.

When I talk to people about goal setting, I'm often surprised by their reactions. A lot of people tell me that they haven't gotten around to setting life-time goals and identifying their values and coming up with specific, measurable bench marks, etc ...
They tell me that goal setting takes too much time and energy, and that it will require days and weeks of work. Then once they have the goals they'll start to feel bad if they don't reach them.
Some of the time people tell me they do have goals, but when I ask them about what they are, they come up with vague wants and "Gee, I hope I get some day" items that change with each pay cheque.
Sound familiar?
While life-time goal setting does require an initial investment of time and energy, the pay-off is immediate and life changing. The good news, however, is that identifying and writing down even short-term goals will give you the same benefits.
If you want to see your life change in just 3 to 6 months, then follow these 5 quick rules for setting short-term goals. Accomplishing just one short-term goal may change your life beyond your wildest dreams!

1. Pick a short-term, manageable 3 to 6 month period to set your goals in
   
   Short-term goals tend to get you into action right away, are easier to visualise, and because of their short term nature they encourage you to set realistic, easy to accomplish goals.
   
2. Pick just 2 or 3 goals to work with
   
   Don't get overwhelmed by trying to change every area of your life. Just pick a couple of areas that you want to begin changing in the next few months.
   
3. The goals you pick don't have to be fully accomplished in the time period you've identified
   
   This is the key! Rather, what you're looking to do in the next 3 to 6 months is to simply develop momentum, establish a pattern, and begin getting you excited about your life again.
   
   Great areas to set short term goals in are things like:
   
   
   • Beginning or resuming an exercise routine and setting a goal to be so far along in the time frame you've set
     
   • Increasing your sales by a reasonable amount
     
   • Having read or begun listening to a couple of books
     
   • Joined a dating site and begun dating again
     
   • Taking up or resuming a favourite hobby again
     
4. Write your goals down
   
   You've heard over and over again how much more effective goal setting is when you write your goals down. It's absolutely true! Once you've identified your 2 or 3 goals, write down in detail what it is you want to accomplish, or what stage you want to be in at the end of the time period you've chosen.
   
   Once you've done that, get a three by five card and write out an affirmation paragraph that describes in detail how you will feel once you've reached that goal. Keep it in the first person, as if you've already accomplished that goal. Not: "I can't wait to feel ...". Rather: "It feels so good now that I'm ...".
   
5. Make a list and start identify right now, today, what actions you can take to move you closer to your goals
   
   Can you join a gym? Buy new walking shoes? Make 10 more cold calls today? Fill out a profile on a dating site? Take your kids to the park tonight?

Make a list of actions you can take today and take them! Do the same thing tomorrow and get in the habit of taking an action each day to move you closer to your goals.

Source:ceoonline.com