Setting Personal Goals -- The Why and The How To

By Steve M Nash

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Setting goals is important, for all of us. If we didn't set goals - formerly via using SMART goals, or informally via something as simple as a to-do list - then we simply wouldn't get anything done in our day. Or our week. Or our year.

I guess setting goals at work is controlled via your boss (or your customers), but in setting personal goals *you* have to be the boss (or you have to be your customer, so to speak).

So what's the best way to set personal goals, then?

Well, I think that personal goal setting requires that you set big goals and break them down into smaller ones. And then make those goals smaller still until you have a few things to do per day.

Ideally, you want to follow some kind of goal-setting technique like SMART goals (SMART is a goal setting acronym, by the way, that means Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-based).

And even if you don't do SMART goals then at least you want to know *why* you want to achieve a particular goal.

Oh, and you want to remind yourself of both the big goal and the small goal on a regular basis.

"When we are motivated by goals that have deep meaning,
by dreams that need completion, by pure love that needs
expressing, then we truly live life."
-- Greg Anderson

Okay, so some personal goal setting examples could be the following...

SOCIAL
Spend at least one night out with friends each week

SPIRITUAL
Read a passage from a favourite self-help book; e.g. a book by Guy Finley

HOME
Finish off DIY (home improvement) jobs in the garden; e.g. fix the garden fence

HEALTH
Continue to walk whenever I can (rather than take the car); swim at least once a week; take one fitness class; run up to 15 miles per week (in 2 or 3 sessions).

Whatever YOUR personal goals are - whether they're related to your social life, your spiritual life, your family life, your health or even your personal development - make sure you write your goals down, and then remind yourself of them, every day if possible.

Good luck becoming the person you want to be, one day at a time...