Get Going On Goal Setting For 2005
 
Here are a few tips to help you accomplish more without becoming a slave to the goal setting process: For those with Internet access, a great resource for goal setting can be found at the following web site (www.mygoals.com)

1. Choose the Right Goal (or Goals)
Setting difficult goals improves overall performance, even if the goals are only partially obtained. That said, it is crucial that you believe your goal is attainable, otherwise you won't even try. Most importantly, spend time clarifying why you want the goal, what you may have to give up in the process, and whether the tradeoff is true to your deepest values.

2. Make Your Goals Official
It's fine to have wide-ranging ideas about what you'd like to do, but it takes a personal commitment—a decision—to make a true goal. It need not be a blood oath, but the more ceremonious, the better. At a minimum, write it down or enter it into your myGoals.com account. Also consider personally committing to one or more people whom you trust.

3. Create a Plan
Most people who set goals fail because they never make a plan. Often, people simply don't know where to begin. There are many good books on the subject. For best results, use the online goal-setting tool at myGoals.com, which walks you through a clever, step-by-step process that makes it very easy to create a solid plan of attack.

4. Keep to the Plan...
Once you have a plan, the biggest challenge is to stick with it. It's easy to procrastinate or get distracted by the responsibilities of daily life. Daily planners can help, but myGoals.com goes a step further by sending you automatic reminders via email. Sometimes the difference between success and failure is just a periodic nudge from an external source.

5. ... But Stay Flexible
Life throws surprises at us, so any good plan allows for contingencies. The need to make periodic adjustments is another good reason to manage your goals using the computer, as opposed to paper-based systems. Most of all, periodically review each goal to make sure it's still something you really want.