FSS Newsletter :: April 2003

FSS Spotlight :: Goal Setting Guidelines

Whether you're a student, a mother, a businessman, or career person, you have your own set of goals you want to achieve. However, there are times that you might feel overwhelmed by obstacles or become preoccupied with other things that you tend to give up on doing things leading towards your goals. You become unsuccessful and don't achieve your goals simply because you have lost focus on them. Ask yourself these five questions and turn them into your personal focus steps. You'll soon get right back on track to achieving your goals and ultimately, success!

1. Are my goals achievable?
By achievable, we mean realistic and attainable. You might unconsciously have set a goal that anyone will really have a hard time achieving, even if they had the means and the time to do so.

One thing you can do is break down your goals into small, realistic goals, set against reasonable timeframes. Oftentimes, you'll be able to achieve your bigger goals if you work on achieving the smaller goals leading to those. The important thing is to make your goals as realistic and as achievable as you can.

2. Do you really believe in your abilities?
It is true that the only person whom your success hugely depends on is yourself. So, do you believe enough in yourself and in what you can do to achieve your goals? Self-doubt is your biggest adversity and the biggest obstacle you will come across on your way to your success. Could it be that you have lost focus of your goals because you unconsciously set aside having to deal with your self-doubts?

3. Do you have a feasible plan on how you can achieve your goals?
Yes, you know what you want, but do you know how you can get what you want? Would you be needing a special kind of technical or artistic training to achieve your goals? Or maybe further educational studies? Do you have a set plan of action that will lead to the achievement of your goals? What things, both tangible and intangible, do you need that will aid you in reaching your goals?

Take a moment to sit down and list the things you would need and make your plan of action. This is a good time to break them down into small, realistic goals and then take them one day at a time!

4. Are you spreading yourself too thinly?
Sometimes, it's better to work on one goal at a time, rather than doing and shooting for so many goals all at the same time. For one, doing so will hinder you from achieving each goal faster, and for another thing, you will not be able to focus your full energy on one goal. You will constantly be running and trying to achieve one goal after another and this usually results to you not being able to achieve any one of those. Prioritize your goals and then start with either your top priority or the most realistic goal. You'll discover for yourself that you are able to do more and achieve more using this approach.

5. Do you easily give up?
Along with asking if you believe in your ability to achieve your goals, this is the second most important question you should ask yourself. Yes, you do the steps necessary to achieving your goals, but after one or two failures, do you give up and not try again? Persistence and patience are the keys to achieving your goals and eventual success. Always remember that it is very rare that a person achieves total success or attains his goals in his first try. If people did, there would be no need to build self-confidence, patience and persistence in oneself. Now that you've asked yourself these five questions, start your way to attaining your goals today!