Setting Goals
As we enter a new year, many of us take the opportunity to set goals or objectives.
Sometimes we put great thought into this, developing well thought through SMART goals, others do it more casually.
Setting goals, when done correctly can be a great thing, because it helps you make conscious choices about where you want to get to, and that should mean you’re more likely to get there.
There are of course pitfalls to avoid, such as being unrealistic, or failing to think through what’s really important to you first.
But there’s one thing that a lot of us forget to consider:
What happens if I don’t achieve them, or just miss the target?
Yes, I know it feels a little counter-intuitive to give thought to missing goals as you’re setting them, right?
But how often have you heard someone in January say they’re going to lose X lbs in weight by a certain date, or commit to the gym 4 days a week, or read a book a week, or only go to the pub once a week, or quit smoking etc. Then, despite best intention, life gets in the way, and before you know it, early into the year they’ve missed their target.
What happens then is critical. And we often don’t think about this in advance. You feel deflated, a failure, you berate yourself and maybe even give up.
What you don’t do is look at the situation rationally and realise for example that although you’ve not hit your goal, you are moving towards it. You have made progress and the direction of travel is good.
The importance of this difference should be clear. The first option gives you negative thoughts and can halt you in your tracks. The second option see’s it as it is, focuses on the positives and enables you to move forwards.
These thing are not binary, all or nothing.
So, when setting goals, write down (literally) what to think and do if you fall short. Do this in advance, then if it happens, refer back and follow your rational advice.
Good luck.
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