What makes a good goal?
There is a lot of talk going on about goal-setting and being successful, but do you have the right goals? If not, you’re wasting your time so we better define what a goal is or at least what a good goal is!
What makes a good goal for YOU?
I think there’s a big difference between a desire and the right goal for you. You might have a desire to do something just because a friend did, or is planning to. You could have a desire to do something because it sounds exciting, but does that make it a good goal for you? It’s up to you to decide.
Here’s some of the criteria I use.
YOU could achieve it in your lifetime
A goal that is longer than your lifetime lacks the inherent motivation required to really get you going.
While a dream may outlast your lifetime, a good goal should be achievable during your lifetime. A dream that outlasts you requires a team that outlasts you. Your goal becomes building the team not fulfilling the dream.
It ignites passion and/or strong feelings within YOU
If you can’t get excited about your goals, you will have a hard time achieving them.
Alister Cameron ties passion together with productivity but I think it also applies to goals. Are you excited about completing your goal? Does pursuing your goal really jazz you? What do YOU sound like when you are telling someone else about your plans? What do YOU feel like when you are telling?
Completing it would give YOU a great sense of satisfaction
If a goal leaves you with “buyers remorse”, it wasn’t a good goal for you. But how do you know?
Imagine yourself after your goal has been accomplished. What does it feel like? Do you feel satisfied? Do you feel an internal sense of well-being?
How about those completely altruistic goals? You know, the ones where you do not recieve a direct benefit from them. It might be giving to a good cause or maybe helping out someone less fortunate than you. In the final analysis it will still leave YOU with a genuine sense of satisfaction.
Think about the types of things that leave you feeling satisfied.
YOUR strengths would be fully employed pursuing it
Does your goal use your strengths? Have you even thought about that? What could be more frustrating than pursuing something that just isn’t you.
What are you strengths? You might want to check out the StengthFinders website. A little bit of introspection could be very valuable here.
Let’s talk!
How did you come up with your goals? What made you realize they were really yours?
#1 by Vivienne Quek on May 10, 2007 - 11:12 am
A friend taught me a goal got to be SMART (specific, measurable, achieveable, realistic and with a time line to complete). How true. How tough.
I set goals to achieve something I want. May or may not be my goal or something I need or I like. It could be something I just got to get done. I do get satisfaction for meeting the goals but I may not be happy. Happiness and meeting goals can be completely different issues.
#2 by DaveOlson on May 10, 2007 - 11:29 am
Yeah I’ve used the SMART acronym before. It’s really good.
I guess I was just trying to make sure that our goals were personal as well. You know…. some of our own emotion and feeling in them. Not just static, dry SMART goals.
Vivienne.. sure appreciate your thoughtful comments here. Thanks
#3 by Vivienne Quek on May 10, 2007 - 11:41 am
Dave …. er …. actually you are the one that made me thoughtful in the wee hours of 2.40am…
#4 by Renee on May 12, 2007 - 3:17 pm
I’m a mostly stay at home mom. And honestly, for the longest time, I didn’t leave a place in my LIFE for myself, let alone in my goals. I’ve been turning that around though and I’m making a point to have room for me, and remember who I am outside of being mom. So the reminder to include me in my goals is timely and perfect. Thank you.
-Renee
wear the law of attraction
http://www.manifes-t.com
#5 by DaveOlson on May 12, 2007 - 3:57 pm
Renee… first off welcome! Really glad you dropped in.
Way to go!! Making some room for your future is really important. My wife and I made the decision when our kids were born that she would be a stay at home mom. Now that the kids are older she is pursuing her career and I couldn’t be happier. You’ll always be a mom, but it won’t always take all your time.
#6 by LaurenMarie on May 16, 2007 - 4:01 pm
Dave, these are such great questions to ask ourselves when determining goals and measures of success, too. I think for a long time I never realized that my goals were merely “better than it is now.” But that’s not quantifiable. You can never reach a goal like that and have the opportunity to be satisfied. Having SMART goals with me in them will make not only my life more enjoyable and meaningful, but it will affect my attitude and that in turn has an effect on those around me, especially those that love me.
#7 by DaveOlson on May 16, 2007 - 7:01 pm
Hi LaurenMarie,
Really great to have you drop in. I wonder how many people would identify with you in just wanting it to be “better than it is now”. Thanks for that great insight and joining the conversation.
BTW I love the design of your website.