Goal Setting is an Art

Think about it, how many times have you sat down and made goals which you forgot about two weeks later? For most people it's the start of every year.

How many times have you started a diet and at the first sight of chocolate you decide you'll start over next week? This scenario is all too often the case.

The inherit nature of humans is to be happy. Because of this humanistic trait we set goals, start diets, create budgets, quit smoking, purchase gym memberships, and do a whole lot of other things that if completed are proven to improve our quality of living. Unfortunately most people are inherently reactive to situations in their life as opposed to being proactive. We want what will make us happy now as opposed to what will make us happier two weeks, a month, or a year from now. That's why when faced with chocolate or other goal breakers, we postpone our diet, stop going to the gym, and forget about the budget.

Goal Setting is an Art! If we want to be successful in accomplishing our goals and do the things that will make us happier in the long run we have to master the art:

3 Steps to Stay Committed to Your Goals

1.     Be Accountable to Someone

2.     Recommit to Your Goals Daily

3.     Keep Balance in Your Life

Be Accountable to Someone: Why do most weight loss systems fail? The lack of accountability. Jenny Craig works not because the food is healthier, but rather because you're reporting to a support group. The fact is it's easier to set diets, overcome addictions, and do the improbable if you have someone holding you to your commitment. 

You don't need a "group" to be successful at making and completing goals, but you do need one reliable person who you can report to each week. So often we fall short of our goals because the goals are personal and nobody else knows about them. When someone knows your goals and follows up with you regularly, your will to do increases.

Step #1 - Find a Goal Partner. This can be someone who has the same desire to accomplish their goals, or it can be someone who has a vested interest in your life (i.e. your spouse, parents, or siblings).

Recommit to Your Goals Daily: Every morning you should write out your goals and say them out loud. This will remind you of your commitment and bring focus to your day. As you go through this process, visualize yourself accomplishing each goal then write your goals as if you have already accomplished them. The visualization process gives you a taste of the satisfaction you will feel when you achieve your goals. 

Ralph Waldo Emerson taught, "That which we persist in doing becomes easier for us to do; not that the nature of the thing itself has changed, but that our power to do is increased." As you plan to accomplish your goals each morning and take steps each day that being you closer to your goal, your power to do increases. 

Step #2 - Make a Goal Journal. If you're going to write down your goals each day, you probably should have a place to write them.

Keep Balance in Your Life: Balance keeps you connected. If one type of goal is dominating your life, you might have a lot of focus and accomplish a lot in that area, but your quality of life will suffer. Just like water is a great way to quench your thirst; surround yourself with too much water and you'll drown.

Set goals to improve the following six areas of your life: 

Physical, Intellectual, Spiritual, Financial, Social, and Organizational. 

Also, make a goal to Serve someone else because, "He who serves the most grows the fastest".

Step #3 - Plan Six Personal Goals and One Service Goal Each Week.