Goal Setting
It’s not just the attainment of a goal that should desired, but also embracing the path, the journey. Discipline is important to attain goals – but the real lesson is not to tie the outcome to happiness. It's easy to say, "I’ll be happy when ....." But when you do that, you are giving up the sure thing—today—for the uncertainty of tomorrow. In other words, delaying happiness.
Goals are important because they help give a sense of purpose and direction. Many of the best goals have nothing to do with material or monetary rewards. Some of best moments of joy are not tied to end results, but instead, occur during the process.
Avoid the Obstacles
Learn to say No. Some people will ask for favors or suggest activities that suck up your time. Manage your time wisely because to reach a goal, time must be put aside for the steps.
Shoot for Improvement, not Perfection. Rather than ruminate on your shortcomings, throw yourself into your work as best you can. You can improve it later in the process.
Spread the word. There is no getting around the fact that some of the time invested to achieving goals is usually done alone. To counter that, spread the word to trusted friends and family and give them updates. Someone will likely have helpful tips – or at least encouragement.
Easy Does It. Avoid goals that are too difficult; be realistic about your time, energy and other commitments. Try having multiple goals; be sure at least one is clearly achievable.
Simplify Your Goals
As we age, our goals are often not the lofty ones we had when younger, but simpler ones focused on our well-being. Several studies have shown that older people perform better when pursuing goals geared toward maintaining their current health and lifestyle. We may not have the drive to excel or be at the “top”, but that’s ok.
Be Flexible
Having a fixed, well-defined goal is an important first step in the process but always remember the plan to reach the goal should be flexible. A fluid plan that changes as you learn is essential; new information should prompt you to consider tweaking your strategy or adopting a new series of steps.
The same holds true for encountering a significant hurdle; you must either solve the problem, change direction, or modify the plan. People who stubbornly cling to their original process are often derailed completely from reaching the goal.
YOUR TURN
Take a moment to write down two or three goals for the coming months, being as specific as possible. Share the idea with a confidant and enjoy the journey. You might surprise yourself and achieve each and every goal – and be energized along the way.
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