Goal Getting Is Easier Than You Think!

We're rushing headlong towards 2012, and we're approaching that time of year again when people start thinking about making resolutions. We make these with great intentions, but it often isn't long before many resolutions fall by the wayside - think of all that unused and unloved gym equipment people buy and then soon stop using!

Here are a few tips and suggestions to help you accomplish great things in the coming year:

1) Think big: I'm not talking about setting unrealistic goals for yourself, but challenge yourself to some stretch goals. You'll be amazed at what you can achieve when you just set your mind to it and challenge yourself. To help you do this, create your goals, then take another look at them and ask yourself, "am I stretching enough?"

2) Create S.M.A.R.T. goals: While most people know the SMART acronym, they often don't use it when they set their goals! SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound. When goals are SMART, they help you get better results. An example of a SMART goal is: "I will lose 5 pounds by March 1." A not-so-SMART goal might be: "I need to lose some weight." By having SMART goals, we create targets, which motivate us and give us energy to use to reach the goals.

3) Get Writing! You might think this sounds silly, but it's really important. Written goals are much more likely to be achieved than unwritten goals. I like to suggest to my coaching clients that they keep their goals present, which is to say keep them visible, in your planner, or even in year PDA. You can't do this unless you write them down!

4) Give your resolutions some planning time: Rather than scribbling something on the back of a bus ticket at the last minute on December 31st, set some time aside to prepare your plans. By spending time focusing on what you want to achieve in the coming year, you will give yourself the space and the focus to help you set goals that will energize you. Many people set resolutions without much thought - focus on what you really want for your life.

5) Share your goals: No-one knows the psychology of why this happens, but it does. The fact is that people are more likely to achieve their goal when they have shared it with others than when they keep it to themselves. By involving others in your dreams, it not only provides great motivation, but may even give them the impetus to help you move towards your goal.

6) Ask for help: Like sharing your goals, asking for help can help you enjoy even greater success. A lot of people worry that they are imposing on people when they ask for help but, in most cases, the reverse is true. People feel complimented when they are asked to help, and you might be surprised at how willing people are to help you achieve your goals when you ask them to.

7) Review your goals regularly: Coming up with goals, filing them away, and finding them a year later having got no further towards achieving tem is frustrating, and a waste of your time. I like to recommend to my clients that they review their goals weekly. Try reviewing your goals as you are establishing your daily or weekly plans - it's really effective, as it keeps you aware of your own plans, instead of effectively just reacting to everyone else's to-do lists. By starting your day or week with a review of your personal and professional goals followed by planning your time, you can engrain the goal orientation that will encourage you to reach your goals.

8) Celebrate to 'little victories': Some goals are complex and long-term, and have many component parts. If you make a habit of rewarding yourself (even if just with a little pat yourself on the back) as you reach the smaller milestones, you can help energize yourself towards achieving your final goal. Too many people 'run out of gas' and never get to where they want to go. By working towards interim milestones, you have a better chance of keeping your motivation, keeping the ultimate goal present, and feeling a sense of achievement as you go.

The hardest thing about setting goals is often just simply "getting down to business!" It's often too easy to push aside the task which is important but not urgent. The New Year is a great time to reflect on the old and prepare for the new, so why not make an appointment with yourself today to create the goals that will see you achieve your dreams in 2012.

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Marsha Egan, CPCU, PCC is CEO of The Egan Group, Inc., a Reading, PA based professional coaching firm. She is a certified workplace productivity coach and professional speaker, specializing in leadership development and can be reached at marsha@marshaegan.com or visit http://www.InboxDetox.com.

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