Three Rules of Effective Goal Setting
The proverbial time of year, when personal and professional aspirations become top of mind, is once again upon us.
Achieving a goal may be the most rewarding of moments. To the contrary, failing to reach a dream is one of life’s more disheartening of personal or professional experiences.
Effective goal setting requires three general rules of the thumb that encompass planning, simplicity, and structure.
Have a Plan, Then Work the Plan
Regardless of the level of difficulty, or the personal importance of a dream, the acts of setting and achieving our goals happen more often if we write them down. For that reason, it forever remains the first rule of goal setting.
It is long established that written goals have a higher chance of actual achievement. I am of the belief that goal setting is about having a plan, and working the plan. As life sometimes happens, the plan may not work as intended; although by having a written plan and working it with rigor, something good may happen when you least expect it.
Whether you choose a traditional paper notebook; smartphone or tablet notes app; or desktop word processing software, write your goals down in a simple, yet clear and concise manner. It is a contract between you and yourself. Hence, treat it as such by signing and dating your plan.
Rewrite and edit, as necessary, until you are comfortable with the language and format. But write it down, read it often, and revise it whenever necessary, or practical. Life changes, therefore the written plan that guides it needs to as well.
Give Your Plan a K.I.S.S.
The key to making the Ten Domains approach to goal setting both believable and sustainable, is to develop objectives within each domain for both short and long term ambitions. It is crucial to keep your plan succinct, and that brings us to the second rule of thumb for effective goal setting.
As a fervent believer in the K.I.S.S. concept, or the keep it super simple approach to life, I update each domain at the beginning of the year by setting at least one annual goal, e.g., 2016, and at least one objective that stretches beyond the year. I then, on occasion, visit the list to monitor progress, making adjustments as warranted by life’s fluid and ever changing landscape. And yes, sometimes unexpected vicissitudes are distressing. But tragedy and heartbreak aside, remember these words of wisdom:
Change is inevitable, and one may argue the only consistent event we may count on in life. Thus, modification is a critical component of any goal setting exercise, including necessary adjustments along the way.
Regardless of change, and any resulting discomfort, keep your goals super simple. Your chances of attaining each may multiply accordingly.
Use S.M.A.R.T. Goals
It may seem a redundant cliché, although using a well-worn acronym in goal setting could be the difference between success and failure in reaching your desired outcomes. And that is why it is included as the third rule of effective goal setting.
Front test your written goals using George T. Doran’s S.M.A.R.T. approach: specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time bound;[1] inspired by Peter Drucker’s legendary management by objective concept.[2]
Doran suggests we be specific when writing down our goals; ensure our ambitions are measurable; set only goals we believe are achievable; be honest in our self-assessment by committing to targets that are realistic and relevant given the resources available to us; and establish time specific deadlines to reach our objectives. For example:
The above illustrative goal is specific in its clear objective of reading a minimum of one book each month; measured by recording the results in personal calendars and diaries; attainable by allowing an entire month for reading at least one book amid a busy schedule; realistic in the sense the goal setter knows oneself as a passionate learner; and time bound in that specific time lines are chosen and recorded.
The S.M.A.R.T approach to goal setting is imperative for achieving dreams that are practical and achievable. Remember to integrate the S.M.A.R.T. concept into each of your written goals.
An important first step in effective goal setting is to write down your plan, and work the plan. Give your plan a K.I.S.S. by keeping it super simple; and make it S.M.A.R.T. as in specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time bound.
It is sometimes said that individuals do not change, although everyone does have the ability to transform. I challenge you to be transformational in your goal setting. Begin with the destination in mind, remembering to enjoy the journey, as the ride may be the best part of achieving your goals and dreams in 2016, and beyond.
Copyright 2016 by David J. Waldron. All rights reserved.
_____________________
[1] George T. Doran, “There's a S.M.A.R.T. Way to Write Management's Goals and Objectives," Management Review, American Management Association Forum, 1981. 35-36
[2] Peter F. Drucker, The Practice of Management (New York: Harper & Brothers, 1954.)
David J. Waldron, Author
The TEN DOMAINS of Effective Goal Setting
Achieving a goal may be the most rewarding of moments. To the contrary, failing to reach a dream is one of life’s more disheartening of personal or professional experiences.
Effective goal setting requires three general rules of the thumb that encompass planning, simplicity, and structure.
Have a Plan, Then Work the Plan
Regardless of the level of difficulty, or the personal importance of a dream, the acts of setting and achieving our goals happen more often if we write them down. For that reason, it forever remains the first rule of goal setting.
| Rule #1: Write your goals down.
It is long established that written goals have a higher chance of actual achievement. I am of the belief that goal setting is about having a plan, and working the plan. As life sometimes happens, the plan may not work as intended; although by having a written plan and working it with rigor, something good may happen when you least expect it.
Whether you choose a traditional paper notebook; smartphone or tablet notes app; or desktop word processing software, write your goals down in a simple, yet clear and concise manner. It is a contract between you and yourself. Hence, treat it as such by signing and dating your plan.
Rewrite and edit, as necessary, until you are comfortable with the language and format. But write it down, read it often, and revise it whenever necessary, or practical. Life changes, therefore the written plan that guides it needs to as well.
Give Your Plan a K.I.S.S.
The key to making the Ten Domains approach to goal setting both believable and sustainable, is to develop objectives within each domain for both short and long term ambitions. It is crucial to keep your plan succinct, and that brings us to the second rule of thumb for effective goal setting.
| Rule #2: Keep It Super Simple (K.I.S.S.)
As a fervent believer in the K.I.S.S. concept, or the keep it super simple approach to life, I update each domain at the beginning of the year by setting at least one annual goal, e.g., 2016, and at least one objective that stretches beyond the year. I then, on occasion, visit the list to monitor progress, making adjustments as warranted by life’s fluid and ever changing landscape. And yes, sometimes unexpected vicissitudes are distressing. But tragedy and heartbreak aside, remember these words of wisdom:
| The pain of change is long forgotten when the benefits of the change are realized.
Change is inevitable, and one may argue the only consistent event we may count on in life. Thus, modification is a critical component of any goal setting exercise, including necessary adjustments along the way.
Regardless of change, and any resulting discomfort, keep your goals super simple. Your chances of attaining each may multiply accordingly.
Use S.M.A.R.T. Goals
It may seem a redundant cliché, although using a well-worn acronym in goal setting could be the difference between success and failure in reaching your desired outcomes. And that is why it is included as the third rule of effective goal setting.
| Rule #3: Be S.M.A.R.T. in your goal setting.
Front test your written goals using George T. Doran’s S.M.A.R.T. approach: specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time bound;[1] inspired by Peter Drucker’s legendary management by objective concept.[2]
Doran suggests we be specific when writing down our goals; ensure our ambitions are measurable; set only goals we believe are achievable; be honest in our self-assessment by committing to targets that are realistic and relevant given the resources available to us; and establish time specific deadlines to reach our objectives. For example:
| As a success minded professional, I will read at least one self-improvement book each month, during the hours I set aside in my personal calendar; then, upon completion, write a brief narrative in my online diary of how each book enlightened me, and inspired me.
The above illustrative goal is specific in its clear objective of reading a minimum of one book each month; measured by recording the results in personal calendars and diaries; attainable by allowing an entire month for reading at least one book amid a busy schedule; realistic in the sense the goal setter knows oneself as a passionate learner; and time bound in that specific time lines are chosen and recorded.
The S.M.A.R.T approach to goal setting is imperative for achieving dreams that are practical and achievable. Remember to integrate the S.M.A.R.T. concept into each of your written goals.
An important first step in effective goal setting is to write down your plan, and work the plan. Give your plan a K.I.S.S. by keeping it super simple; and make it S.M.A.R.T. as in specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time bound.
It is sometimes said that individuals do not change, although everyone does have the ability to transform. I challenge you to be transformational in your goal setting. Begin with the destination in mind, remembering to enjoy the journey, as the ride may be the best part of achieving your goals and dreams in 2016, and beyond.
Copyright 2016 by David J. Waldron. All rights reserved.
_____________________
[1] George T. Doran, “There's a S.M.A.R.T. Way to Write Management's Goals and Objectives," Management Review, American Management Association Forum, 1981. 35-36
[2] Peter F. Drucker, The Practice of Management (New York: Harper & Brothers, 1954.)
David J. Waldron, Author
The TEN DOMAINS of Effective Goal Setting
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