Goal Setting |How To Set Goals and Achieve Them

Have you ever tried setting a goal and failed at reaching it? Well, in this article we will teach you how to set goals and achieve them. You will learn what goal setting is and some examples and tips that you can use in your everyday life.  

Goal Setting

As human being sometimes we set the bar so high for ourselves. We aim, we soar, and sometimes we fall hard and it hurts. But, it may not completely be your fault. Once you understand the basics of how to set goals in life the whole process of achieving them becomes easier. So, lets learn “what is a goal?”

What is a goal?

A goal, in nerd terms, is “a desired result, milestone, or outcome that an individual or a group of individuals strives to obtain, meet, or accomplish by a specified deadline.

In simple terms it is something you want. It is a guide to let us know what direction we are going in. Goals pushes us from Point A to point B. They convince us to drag our tired bodies out from under that warm and comfy comforter at 5 a.m. It puts our feet to the floor. That desire to do, and to become all stems from having a goal.

Goal Setting Examples

Now, let’s talk about some goal setting examples. Perhaps you’ve had your eyes on a beautiful brand new car. Maybe you want to finally save some money for a vacation. Or, go on a weekend getaway with your girls. How about starting your own online business or side hustle to make some extra money?

Everyone has something they want or would like to achieve. So, take a few moments to think about what is it that you want?

Types of Goals

To make things simple we will break it down between the main two types of goals, short-term goals and long-term goals. Let’s discuss the difference between the two.

Short Term Goals

A short-term goal is exactly as it sounds, a goal that can be achieved quickly. This is a goal to get started on now, or maybe next week, and then actually finish it within 12 months or less. Fast. About the time-span it would take you to watch 3 complete seasons of your favorite show on Netflix.

• Should be completed within 12 months or less
• Shouldn’t be complicated
• Are fairly easy accomplishments

Examples of Short-Term Goals

• Take a weekend vacation.
• Complete an online course in 1 month.
• Meal Prep for 2 weeks days.
• Go to the gym on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday every week for 3 months. (Hello, cardio!)
• Save $100 in one month.

Long Term Goals

Long-term goals are your BIG, hairy goals. They can usually take one year or more to complete. These are the ones that excite you and scare you at the same time, but be brave. Do it anyway, because you’re awesome and your worth it.

• Can last 1 year or longer.
• Are life-changing.
• Have multiple steps and are usually more difficult to achieve.

Examples of Long Term Goals

• Lose 50 lbs. or more in 1 year.
• Complete a Bachelor’s degree in 4 years.
• Run a 5k in one year.
• Buy a new house in 3 years.
• Set a budget to pay off debt within 5 years.

5 Tips How To Set Goals And Achieve Them

Now that you’ve got an idea of how to set goals, here are some goal setting tips to make it happen. This is the year to set your goals, make a plan to achieve them, and take ACTION!

1. Write down your goals.

You will read this a thousand times in every self-help article known to man, because it works. Write down your goal on physical paper. A study called the “The Gender Gap and Goal-Setting” determined that people that write down their goals are more likely to succeed and love what that do.

Get our free goal setting planner to help you plan out and organize your goals.

Get your FREE Goal Setting Worksheets & Templates

2. Adopt the S.M.A.R.T. approach.

Using the S.M.A.R.T. goals method is a great template to follow to set goals in life and achieve them. S.M.A.R.T. stands for: S: Specific, M: Measurable, A: Attainable, R: Realistic, T: Time-sensitive.

Examples for using the S.M.A.R.T. approach:

“I will (accomplish this goal) by (performing the following actions) by (end date). If I (enter measurable numbers) every (duration of time), I will meet my goal.”

For example: “I will lose 50 lbs. by running 5 times a week, by December 31^st. If I lose 5 lbs. a month for 12 months, I will meet my goal”.

Use this method to make your goals really clear and tell the universe exactly what you want.

3. Select a goal that is truly motivating.

Do not choose a goal that does not resonate with you. Let me be clear: do not waste your precious time chasing a goal that does not strike a chord with the center of your being. Make sure your goal is something that you really, really want. Otherwise, you’re wasting your time and you’ll give up fast. And we don’t have time for that nonsense, we got things to accomplish!

4. Hold yourself accountable.

Tell someone you know about your goals. It can be a friend, your family, a co-worker. It may be scary, but peer-pressure can kick you into high gear. Trust that there are those that want you to succeed, and maintain integrity by doing exactly what you said you would do. Would you rather be known for giving up, or for trying your best?

5. Create goal categories.

You can create goals for all areas of your life. It may help you to assign a category to your goal if you’re juggling too much. Let’s not overdo it and focus on one category at a time, m’kay? That way, you can prioritize the areas of your life that you feel need the most work or that you want to improve. Choose a category below for your next goal and get to it:

• Career
• Self-improvement
• Finance
• Education
• Spirituality
• Relationship
• Fitness/health

Overview

Don’t forget to sign up for your FREE Goal Setting Planner below. These will help you to write and organize all of your goals so that you stay track and keep CRUSHING it!

See? All that talk about good ol’ fashioned goal setting wasn’t that bad, was it? By now, you should feel confident that you can tackle any mountain in your path. It is possible and you are capable. Just keep in mind that this is meant to be a work-in-progress. Your goals may evolve as you change, just don’t stop killing it.

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