Attaining Concrete Results
As a child, did you ever chase and attempt to catch the moon? Such an intriguing, daring yet impossible goal. When life takes an unexpected turn, re-evaluating your options, actions and decisions, as well as setting SMART goals, are excellent ways to get back on track.
“If your dreams don’t scare you, then they are not big enough”- Richard Branson. However, “Dream big. Start small. But most of all, Act now”- Simon Sinek.
Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore’s former Prime Minister, is recognised as the ‘Master Builder’ for transforming his country from a poor third-world economy to a world-class one. He had the ultimate goal of making Singapore’s economy as an exemplary leader in Asia and the world. After setting out a detailed outline of what he intended to achieve, he took careful measures that were Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound. He then reassessed the country’s current security, economic challenges, anti-corruption policies and other critical factors to ensure they achieved his SMART goals.
“Goals indeed are the fuel in the furnace of achievement.” – Brian Tracy.
There’s no better time to take stock of your short and long-term goals and make things happen! Hence, re-evaluating your goals is the first step towards achieving a significant transition, a systemic overhaul and a lifestyle transformation.
So, I want to encourage you to examine, review and re-evaluate your goals. Like Zig Ziglar also said, “if you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.”
However, in order to ensure you’re making the right changes, I’ll show you how to re-evaluate your goals in three steps:
- Are your Goals S.M.A.R.T?
“Goal setting is the secret to a compelling future.” — Tony Robbins
The first thing you have to ask yourself, using the S.M.A.R.T acronym is; are the goals specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-bound?
So, imagine if one of the goals you set for yourself was to run a marathon this year, the marathon is in April and it is March and you haven’t yet started preparing for the marathon. Believe me when I tell you, it’s no longer a realistic goal. YOU CAN’T ACHIEVE IT, except of course, if the goal is not to come out top in the competition. Therefore, you must commit to setting realistic goals.
- Create Room for Improvement
Setting goals is an important aspect of professional growth, but how about pivoting when something doesn’t feel right?
“The biggest room in the world is the room for improvement”- Helmut Schmidt.
Don’t give up on your potential when you’re still working hard to improve. During this process, you will need to make a few adjustments along the way. This is normally unpleasant, but keep in mind that the caterpillar goes through an unpleasant transformation before it turns into a beautiful butterfly.
So, commit to daily improvements and be willing to tweak things as you go along the journey of life.
- Recommit to your Goals
“Goals that are based on someone else’s opinion of how you should spend your time and energy are doomed to fail.” – ANA MCRAE
Eighty percent of people abandon their New Year’s resolutions within six to eight weeks of making them. This is why some say; New Year’s goals don’t work. Your goals must stem from a deep internal desire to become a certain kind of individual who carries out ideals that are important to them.
So, you must re-evaluate and recommit to your goals by attacking them with the energy and zeal required to accomplish them.
If you follow these steps, I assure you that 2021 will be a year you will be very proud of.
Remember, you have only one life to live, Make It Count!
