We are told to write down our goals and create a plan to achieve them.
But for some of us, even though we do this, we still haven’t achieved our goals. We look on and think, what I am doing wrong? Why is everyone else achieving their goals while I seem to be stuck?
What we learned about writing down our goals is absolutely correct. You do need to write down your goals, and you need to create a plan. In addition to taking those two steps, you must also set the right goals.
The first rule to set your goals is that they must be SMART.
S – Make sure your goals are as specific as possible. Don’t just say, “I want to buy a house”. Instead, state what kind of house you would like to buy and how much it will cost.
M – Your goals should be measurable so you can track them. If we use the example of buying the house above, you will know exactly how much money you need for the deposit.
A – Set goals that are attainable and within your reach. Don’t shoot for the US$1 million home when realistically you can only afford a mortgage for a US$500,000 home (Well, at this time in your life, because we believe in growing and growing)
R – Are your goals relevant? Is it something you really want? According to one of my favourite reggae songs by Jimmy Cliff, “You can get it if you really want”. Ensure your goals are relevant to your life.
T – You must have an end in mind before you start unless your goal becomes a moving target. I am not saying that ‘things’ don’t happen that will cause delays. But when you are working towards achieving something by a specific time, you will create a plan that helps you reach that milestone. So make your goals time-bound.
Keep track of your progress
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