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Goal Setting for the Rest of Us
By
Jacqueline J. Marshall |
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I love looking at the things "wrong" with me since realizing those things are not wrong at all. Who knew! I accept my natural self (the way it feels good, to me, to operate in life) and use those qualities in creative ways. For example, I am not consistent. Because I rarely do things consistently, goal setting has been a frustration and something to avoid. I've worked at being more disciplined, with exercise for example. The discipline lasted 18 hours and I was asleep most of that time. But, I have learned I can set goals by doing it in a way that compliments my inconsistency.
Why bother with goals at all? I’d rather not, but then there are my dreams. To me, dreaming is the best part of life. I like ideas and the beginning of things. Only problem: my dreams stay dreams. I made a decision to experiment with goal setting that would accommodate my "flaws" and keep me on a wide, wiggly track (a track none the less). I decided goals did not have to be specific, measurable, attainable or timely. They only have to be realistic to the way I navigate life.
This is what I discovered works for me. I write down my dream(s). No shock there. If there are different aspects to the dream I write them (where else?) under the dream. These aspects are the goals. No "shoulds" allowed. Then I go back to the dreams and goals, and if any action steps come to me intuitively they're penciled in. I choose due dates that give me more than ample time to inconsistently work on the making the dream real.
My action steps are never very specific. For example, I do not write, "Will exercise for 15 minutes 4 times per week." Rather, one of my current action steps for a health related goal is, "I will do something to move or stretch daily." (I put "daily" in because I want it that way, not because I should.) That means I can touch my toes once during a day to complete this step or I can practice yoga for an hour. A lot of the actions I take are never written down. They occur to me at appropriate times and are accomplished, or started, as I think of them.
One of my dreams is a life long one. I don't know if it’s attainable. The vision is broad and global. Even by following my loose-leaf plan there is no guarantee of success. I’m O.K. with that. I'll enjoy the effort because it’s a heart felt dream that involves my talents and interests. If the "life" goes out of this or any dream, I'll let it go. My "life plan" (is there such a thing?) is perfect for me. The way is not straight and the gate is wide as a football field but, I WILL USE IT.
You may apply your innate modus operandi to your advantage. What your way looks like doesn’t matter. What matters is that you benefit. My way of goal setting helps me, and is fun, because there's no strain applying it. One goal planning method does not fit all, and why would it?
Author's Bio
Jacqueline Marshall is a clinical mental health counselor, licensed in the State of Illinois.
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