Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now.
Alan Lakein
Introduction
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The importance of having goals, plans, aspirations, cannot be overstated. They give us direction and purpose. They allow us to grow and develop, to be more. And the research out there suggests very clearly that people who are actively pursuing their goals and plans are happier, and happy people have plans and goals which they are pursuing.
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Well-Formed Goals
The key to successful goal-setting, to having effective plans is to follow three simple rules: make it positive, make it precise, and make it as if it's now.
Always focus on what you want. Always in the positive. Always. Because if you state what you want, it gives you a clear to direction to follow, taking you from where you are to where you want to be.
Be precise. State exactly what you want. Forget about notions of having more money, being healthier, getting a better job, having a holiday, which is all well and good and all too vague for the unconscious mind to effectively assist us. For goal-setting to be effective we need to be precise, really precise, about what we want: earning an extra £2000 a year, running 5k in under 30 minutes, having a job which pays £30,000 a year and includes flex time and working with people, spending a week on the Costa del Sol.
And finally, bring the goal into now. Rather than talking about what you are going to do, what you will or may or might do, imagine you have the goal now. We do this by talking as if the completion date, the date we can say that goal is or is not done, is now. So every goal must start with:
Always focus on what you want. Always in the positive. Always. Because if you state what you want, it gives you a clear to direction to follow, taking you from where you are to where you want to be.
Be precise. State exactly what you want. Forget about notions of having more money, being healthier, getting a better job, having a holiday, which is all well and good and all too vague for the unconscious mind to effectively assist us. For goal-setting to be effective we need to be precise, really precise, about what we want: earning an extra £2000 a year, running 5k in under 30 minutes, having a job which pays £30,000 a year and includes flex time and working with people, spending a week on the Costa del Sol.
And finally, bring the goal into now. Rather than talking about what you are going to do, what you will or may or might do, imagine you have the goal now. We do this by talking as if the completion date, the date we can say that goal is or is not done, is now. So every goal must start with:
It is (exact date) and I...
We then say what we have, or what we've done, or what we are now doing. It's as if we've moved ourselves into the future, stating what the situation with the goals achieve. So, you're goals all start with: It's (exact date in the future) and...
...I am earning £2000 more a year. The extra money means that I am less stressed about bills, and I am saving for a holiday. I feel excited and motived.
...I have just been out for a run and I did 5k in 27 minutes. I feel amazing.
...I start my new job next week. The salary is £31000 a year, I can work flexibly which includes two days a week at home, and the job involves assisting people to sort out their finances. I am so happy to have left my old job, and my new job looks to be filled with opportunities. I feel really valued and I am really proud of myself.
...I went to the travel agent this morning and I booked a week on the Costa del Sol for me and my family for August this year. Everyone is so looking forward to a week away filled with sun, sand and sangria.
...I have just been out for a run and I did 5k in 27 minutes. I feel amazing.
...I start my new job next week. The salary is £31000 a year, I can work flexibly which includes two days a week at home, and the job involves assisting people to sort out their finances. I am so happy to have left my old job, and my new job looks to be filled with opportunities. I feel really valued and I am really proud of myself.
...I went to the travel agent this morning and I booked a week on the Costa del Sol for me and my family for August this year. Everyone is so looking forward to a week away filled with sun, sand and sangria.
Focussing on the Process
You may or may not achieve your goal. Your plan may or may not come to fruition.
