Goals | true point of view

Goals and Achievements

Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success.

Pablo Picasso / painter, sculptor / 1881–1973

A useful technique in both achieving and sustaining success is to develop a set of goals on which you act. Consider such goals a plan for life. Ben Franklin shared some wisdom on this topic when he stated, “One man of tolerable abilities may work great changes, and accomplish great affairs among mankind, if he first forms a good plan, and, cutting off all amusements or other employments that would divert his attention, make the execution of that same plan his sole study and business.” There’s rarely need to sacrifice “all amusements or other employments” to succeed; however, focus is indeed critical. Such focus can stem from structured goals and a daily routine or lifestyle involving targeted action. Before you create such a plan, however, it’s useful to review your past accomplishments.

Achievements. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, the nineteenth-century poet and teacher, said, “Man is always more than he can know of himself; consequently, his accomplishments, time and again, will come as a surprise to him.” Reviewing your accomplishments on occasion can provide insight into your motivations and also allow you to enhance the effectiveness of your methodologies. By understanding what you’ve done successfully in the past, you can more easily identify what you would like to accomplish in the future. If you have served as a good friend and come to realize you feel good about helping others, then you might want to expand your efforts in that area, for example. Through such reflection, you can also learn what approaches have worked for you previously or identify areas for improvement. If you find that you’re struggling with your particular line of work and lack passion for it, then that might be a sign that it’s time to find a new career. On the other hand, if you enjoy what you do and can identify other obstacles holding you back, then that could help you realign your efforts in order to succeed moving ahead. For example, if there is no room for growth in your current position or company, yet you’re ready for more, then it may be time to seek opportunities elsewhere.

Another benefit to reviewing your accomplishments on occasion is that it can build confidence and fuel your ambition or motivation for self-improvement. To that end, take a moment to create a list of your accomplishments in life. Note the roles you have played, how you have assisted others, what you have achieved, or what you may have done to make the world a better place. These should include things that have improved your life or the lives of others or events that you survived that have facilitated personal growth. Completing a level of education or a particular class is notable, for example, as is serving in a supportive role for another individual. Ask yourself what you’ve created, accomplished, or acquired over the years or who you have helped and how, and then create a list to gain greater insight into yourself and life. For best results, do this in writing, as that will be more effective and leave you with a reference for future review or modification. Once you’ve considered your accomplishments, you will be in a better position to pinpoint your goals.

Goal setting. Goals are useful to provide direction and plant seeds for success, but keep them in perspective. If you create lofty goals or place too great a focus on them, then you could undermine your own happiness or lose motivation in a short period of time. It’s helpful to set goals, but it’s even more essential to establish a daily routine or lifestyle that involves actions that are both appealing and productive. Think of it as establishing positive habits that you enjoy and that will also lead to rewards down the road. For example, you know that physical activity is essential for good health and longevity, but if you force yourself to do some mundane exercise day after day, then your motivation will likely wane. Instead, frame it in a more enjoyable context to get yourself excited about it and still achieve results. If you find it difficult to ride an exercise bike in your house, for example, then try it at a gym or on the road. If you enjoy another activity or sport more, then find ways to incorporate that into your life. When it comes to goals, an optimal approach is to develop a plan for each that yields results, yet align such goals with things you like to do or address them in ways that are fulfilling or enjoyable.

In terms of format, these are your goals, so organize them however you would like. It may help to create categories such as mental/emotional, spiritual, social, physical, and financial/material, and then list two or three goals under each. Alternatively, you could make it more of a short story that includes the things you want to achieve. Refer back to your lists of values and beliefs, consider what you want in life, and then use that information to develop your goals. List the things you would like to obtain, accomplish, or become as well as behaviors you would like to exhibit. To that end, also incorporate any of your aforementioned abilities that you would like to develop further. Leverage the S.M.A.R.T. acronym introduced by the professor and author George T. Doran in 1981 to create practical goals. Some terms have been substituted by others over time, and all may not apply to a specific goal; regardless, use of these concepts will help you focus your efforts. Define your goals with these principles in mind to better achieve results:

Specific: Be descriptive, and use present tense, such as “I achieve,” “I obtain,” or “I attract,” for example. However, limit goals to a page or two so as not to get too caught up in the process itself.
Measurable: Record your goals to give yourself a detailed record that you can review or revise on occasion. As you revisit them, pinpoint progress and also refine them if necessary.
Assignable or Action-oriented: If applicable, determine who might assist you in achieving your goal and engage them accordingly. More importantly, list specific steps you can take to get the results you desire.
Realistic or Relevant: Aim high, but use reason to find a balance between limitless potential and belief. You may exceed your expectations, but you must believe you can achieve what you define.
Time-related or Trackable: Set a target date for each long-term goal, and when appropriate, consider adding a timeline comprised of short-term goals that serve as stepping stones to a larger goal.

Take a few minutes to define your goals. Retain an open mind in the process, and utilize your abilities of detachment, patience, and flexibility so that you can pinpoint opportunities and also adapt to the changes that life presents. Once you create a set of goals, keep them readily accessible so that you can review them from time to time and modify them as needed. You may find it helpful to review them daily or weekly at first, but as you become more adept at the process, you may only need to revisit them monthly, for example. Find what works for you, and revamp them from time to time to stay on track. Remove goals you have achieved or ones you no longer want to pursue, but don’t consider the latter as giving up; rather, it’s just changing focus. Also, update existing goals, and add new ones as you see fit. Once you have a list of goals, you can establish a routine or lifestyle that allows you to work toward those objectives in an enjoyable manner. That is covered in the chapter named Practice.