Goal Setting For Beginners

Goal setting is the process of identifying what you want and creating a plan to get it. It sounds simple enough. Under the surface, however, it can be quite complicated.

We all do it to some extent, naturally and unconsciously. We set a goal. Whether it’s waking up at a certain time the next day or tackling our never-ending to-do list, we set a goal at some point. The goal can be big or small, with a negligible or a substantial impact.

No matter what it looks like, setting a goal offers inherent benefits. It can motivate us, help us to focus, and give us a sense of purpose. Yes, please!

"If you don't know where you are going, you will probably end up somewhere else." – Lawrence J. Peter

When you’re thinking about those bigger goals, it can feel overwhelming and confusing. Where do you start? How do you know which goal to set or what it should look like?

Identifying Personal Goals.

Self-reflection is the first step in identifying personal goals and aspirations. I think a lot of what we do as humans in this experimental life begins there. Sitting with your thoughts, no judgement, no limitations, no outside influences. Just you and your thoughts.

Once you feel the thoughts flowing and start noticing themes and can envision future situations, you can pull out some goals. Pull a few, pull many, pull whatever you can name. Try to distinguish between what you want and what you WANT.

End-Goal Versus Habit.

This is where it gets interesting. As a coach trained in human behavior, I can tell you that most goals start and end with habits. If your goal is to run a marathon, you start by training several times a week – training is the habit. If your goal is to become fluent in Italian, you start by taking a language course – practicing is the habit.

The habit is what takes the most work. The goal comes as a bonus.

Mastering the habit is what moves you forward closer to your goal.

So, when you look at your goals and narrow it down to one or two, the very next step is to sort out the habits that will get you there. In this way, it’s more effective to focus on building a habit, like heading in a direction, rather than to focus on the goal or result.

Direction versus destination/ habit versus result.

The goal may look different as you get closer. Choose habits that align with your goal while accepting there are no guarantees.

"A goal is not always meant to be reached. It often serves simply as something to aim at." – Bruce Lee

Creating SMART Goals.

People are really into this concept of SMART goals so let’s explore for a minute.

Basically, a SMART goal breaks down into this:

Specific – become fluent in Italian

Measurable – be able to ask for directions and order from a restaurant

Achievable – focus on basic phrases

Relevant – trip to Italy next spring

Time-bound – end of February before trip

Specific is where you define the goal as fully as you can. Measurable is how you’ll know when you get there. Achievable keeps you grounded on a goal you can reach. Relevant gives you the motivation to keep going. Time-bound provides a pacing mechanism so you don’t snooze on the job or get burned out along the way.

Overcoming Challenges.

Challenges may arise when setting and pursuing goals. Two of the most common obstacles are procrastination and self-doubt.

Let’s look at time management and accountability as strategies to overcome either challenge. With time management, you give yourself a deadline to decide and kick things off. With accountability, you give a trusted friend permission to metaphorically push you along through check-ins and follow-ups. Knowing you’ll have to answer the dreaded - how’s it going? - can be all the motivation you need at times.

Breaking Down Goals into Steps.

Most goals can be broken down into small, manageable steps, which can be helpful in determining how and where to start. A goal can feel abstract until we see the steps it takes to get there.

Every goal will break down differently, and some can be more or less detailed depending on many factors. This break-down is your action plan.

As with any action plan, you want to allow for tweaks and unexpected bumps in the road along the way. Think about potential obstacles before you start – scheduling issues, illness, celebrations or parties that might interrupt your flow, etc. Plan for how you’ll work around any bumps and set your mind frame on being flexible.

You also want to establish a progress calendar or check-in times. It can help to have a way of visually tracking your journey. Think: are we there yet? How can you answer that question along the way?

Motivation.

Remember earlier when you created a SMART goal? The relevant piece is where your motivation lives. The relevancy of a goal is the why you want to reach it.

Knowing why you’re working towards a goal is what will help keep you actually working towards it. In those moments when you start to lose the excitement or you feel like it’s taking too long or you hear yourself making excuses for not doing the work, think about your why.

Without a meaningful why, you can’t set meaningful goals.

And if your goal isn’t meaningful, why pour your energy into it?

Note: Feeling motivated can require more than just knowing your motivation. That feeling of being motivated actually comes after you’ve already started doing the thing.

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Setting a goal can be exhilarating and daunting at the same time. Let this be a fun exploration of what you want to achieve or what you want to get done or a small change you’d like to make in your life. Goals don’t have to be life changing. That’s what happens along the journey.