Personal Goal Setting and Goal Setting Worksheets
It’s important to find your goals in order to reach them, and setting personal goals is the first step in becoming a better person.
We all want to improve in many ways, and personal goal setting is how you will make those improvements.
After all, you won’t know what you are working towards if you don’t have a goal in mind, so it’s important that you keep your eyes on the goal in order to achieve them. However, before you can focus on the goal, you have to know what those goals are – what you are working towards!
But how can you set your goals, work to reach them, and finally achieve them in the end?
There is no 1-2-3 step process to doing it, but there are many things that you need to know about setting goals. Use the tips below to help you set your goals and achieve them!
What Matters to You?
In order to set your goals, you have to think about the things that are really important to you. Are you going to try and work towards a financial goal, a personal goal, or a professional goal?
Think about and determine what you really want in life, as that will help you to know what the right goals are for you to set. The truth is that without knowing what you want, you aren’t going to work towards anything successfully.
Sure, a goal that seems good may feel like a solid idea, but you may lose both interest and passion if you aren’t committed to and really desire to reach that goal.
Think about what you know about your goal, what information you have on it, and what information you are lacking. Think about any skills that you will need to develop in order to achieve the goal, as well as what skills you already have that will make it possible for you to reach your objective.
Think if there are resources that you already have that you can use, or if you will need to get your hands on more resources in order to make it possible.
Do you know how to do it the right way – the most efficient way – or will you need to spend time studying up in order to find the best way to reach that goal.
Once you know what is most important, you can set your plan of attack!
Set Small Goals
The truth is that a goal that is too large and overwhelming is one that you’re never going to reach, as you will never be able to make SO MUCH progress!
You are going to get discouraged a fraction of the way in, and those large goals are just going to be too far away to reach.
The secret to setting goals that you can actually reach is making the goals smaller and easier to manage.
There is a reason that they say that things should be “bite-sized”, as it means that you can manage the goals without trying to do more than is humanly possible.
The truth is that you are never going to be able to do everything, but you are going to have to try and break all of your larger goals into smaller goals in order to reach them.
If you keep your goals so broad and overarching, you will get discouraged and fail. Break them down and make them achievable in order to succeed!
Start Out with Small Steps
Small beginnings lead to greater ends. If you start out with one small step today, that small step will lead to one more, and then to another, and on and on it will go…all the way until you reach your goals.
Now that you have broken your goals down into bite-sized chunks, you will know what you need to do today in order to reach those goals. All you need to do to get going is to start – to take that one action that will lead you to the success of your efforts.
It doesn’t matter if you need to put aside your first dollar, sign up for the first class, or take the first step to apologize to someone – do it today!
The journey of a thousand leagues begins with a single step, and there is nothing that can emphasize enough how important it is that you start doing what needs to be done – TODAY!
If you put it off, it will either lose its importance to you, or you’ll just plain forget it. Start today in order to achieve it tomorrow.
Have a Positive Attitude
A positive attitude is important when it comes to setting goals.
Remember how achieving anything in life is going to be difficult? The truth is that obstacles and problems are guaranteed to arise when you are trying to strive to reach a goal, and you are going to have to work hard – so, so hard – not to lose the vision when these obstacles get in your way. If you can focus on the positive, you will find that it will be a whole lot easier to keep going.
Focus on the progress that you have made, rather than focusing on the progress that you have left to make. The truth is that your life is one step of progress after the other, and there is never going to be a day in the rest of your life where you are not going to be making more progress.
If you focus on what’s ahead too much – on how much is left to do – it will overwhelm you. Instead, focus on the positive aspects of what you have already achieved, not the negative aspects of how much you have left to do.
Have Rounded Goals
Make sure that you are making progress in every area of your life. Neglecting one area of your life is not a good idea, as that is the area of your life that will become stunted. If you are a weightlifter, do you just lift weights to build up your biceps and chest, or do you lift weights that will build up your entire body?
It’s of the utmost importance that you set and work towards goals in every area of your life – ensuring that you are a well-rounded person.
There are many different areas of your life that you need to work on: your personal goals, your career goals, your financial goals, your physical goals, your health goals, and so on.
If you focus on your career to the exclusion of your personal life, how will you be able to function properly? If you work so hard on your financial goals, your health may suffer. Only by working on goals in every area of your life will you be the successful person that you have the potential to be.
Avoid Giving in to Fear
Fear is one of the biggest obstacles that you will face when dealing with goals and changes in your life.
No one likes facing change, as it forces them to get out of their comfort zone and try new things. Those fears are often enough to stop us from really doing as much as we can and should, as it is these fears that tell us, “Sit back, relax, and let someone else make the scary changes!”
If you give in to those fears, you’re never going to make the progress that you should.
You have to shut out the voice of fear that will try to stop you from stepping out and trying something new – no matter how terrifying it may seem to be.
The truth is that any kind of change and progress takes you from where you are now – a very comfortable place no doubt – and it puts you in a brand new place. If you can embrace the changes and get over your fears, your life will be improved in every way!
Affirm Your Commitment
How committed are you to making the changes that you want to make?
Personal progress doesn’t come without a cost, and you can rest assured that it is going to be a challenge to keep up with the progress that you want to make. If you aren’t committed to making that progress, you are probably going to end up failing in your attempt.
You have to be committed, and you have to constantly affirm your commitment to yourself and others.
If you tell yourself every day that you are committed to doing whatever it takes, you will be keeping yourself in the right frame of mind. If people know that you are committed, they will be inspired to help you as well.
Write the Goals Down
Writing down your goals is one of the best things that you can do if you really want to succeed.
Before the days of GPS, how would you know which turns and twists to take without a map? You would write down “make a left turn at First Street” or “turn around if you reach the Mountain”.
All of these written instructions helped you to keep your mind on your end goal, as the directions helped you to get there. The same is true for the goals in your life, and you have to write them down if you want to reach them.
Why are You Waiting?
Many people procrastinate a whole lot, but this procrastination is one of the worst things that you can do if you are serious about achieving anything.
Procrastination will stop you from making the forward progress that you need to, as you will be telling yourself that you can work on it “later”.
Later often means never, so stop procrastinating and start making progress today!
Like it to Reach It
If you feel that you are suffering to reach your goals, it will be a challenge for you to keep up your positive attitude.
People that suffer through diets, exercise programs, training courses, or savings plans never really reach that goal, so it’s important that you change the way you see things.
Stop suffering through things, but start liking the things that you have to do to reach your goal. With the positive attitude, anything is possible!
Focus on the Future
The future is uncertain, but it’s nice to think that you will be able to accomplish your goal if you set your mind to it, right?
It’s important that you focus on the future of your efforts – not so much how much you have left to do, but more on how great life will be once you reach your goal.
If you focus so much on the now and the effort that it is taking to reach your goal, it is not unlikely that you will get discouraged. If you can focus on the way things will be once you have made those changes, it will be a lot easier for you to keep up the good work!
Make Smart Goal-Reaching Plans
You have to plan for success – for reaching your goals – or else you will not be prepared when it comes.
You may not think that you can reach that success, but you are just trying because you think it’s the right thing to do. It may surprise you to reach that goal, and you won’t know what to do with yourself unless you have planned.
Plan to reach your success, and plan ahead for the purpose of getting ahead in your life. You will find that these plans will be the key to your success!
How To Use A Goal Setting Worksheet ... Plus … Examples Of Goal Setting Forms
• Goal setting worksheet examples
• Value of goal setting forms
• Tips for a goal setting worksheet
• Goal setting worksheet template
The Value of a Goal Setting Worksheet
Now that you are ready to start making goals and achieve your dreams, you need a way to get organized and measure your progress. This is where the goal setting worksheet comes in.
Goal setting forms come in all different styles according to the type of goals you want to achieve. You can find goal setting forms already made so you can fill in the blanks or you can just use the goal setting worksheet examples below and customize them to your particular strategy.
Goal setting templates have basic similarities in that you want to set a specific target date for achieving your goal and you need to list a specific goal. You need a specific goal to aim for, not something that might possibly happen in the distant future, so you can plan your steps and measure your progress.
Goal setting activities aren't set in stone. If you find your original strategy isn't working, simply reorganize yourself as you go along.
Failing at achieving your goals simply means you need to restructure your approach.
Using a goal setting worksheet helps you stay organized so you can continually assess if your strategy is working. This will help you reach your goals on target.
Tips for Using a Goal Setting Worksheet
Goal setting templates are nice, but being able to customize your goal setting worksheet is better.
Use goal setting forms as examples you can use, and allow yourself plenty of room to take notes as you go along.
You may want a summarized goal setting worksheet so you can view your goals and progress at a glance. If so, you can keep a daily journal too, and transfer your milestones to the worksheet.
Writing down your goals and your thoughts and feelings as you progress towards them is very empowering.
Written goals become more real so you are compelled to try harder to achieve them. Here are a few tips you can use to make your goal setting worksheet more effective:
• Be realistic. Make sure your goal is achievable within the target timeframe.
• Be specific. State exactly what you want and when you will accomplish it.
• Track progress. Find a way to measure your progress and record it at regular intervals.
• Be strategic. Don't wing it. List a step-by-step plan for achieving your desired goal.
• Explore the benefits. List the benefits of achieving your goal so your will power stays strong.
• Be flexible. Set backs and failures may occur. Don't let them derail you totally; just start over until you reach your goal.
Examples of a Goal Setting Worksheet
From the examples below, you can see a goal setting worksheet doesn't have to be fancy or complicated.
You can make one with a pencil and steno pad, and be on your way in just a couple of minutes, or you can print out the template at the end of this article.
Goal Setting Worksheet Explained
State Your Goal
(List your goal in statement form)
Target Date -- Start Date -- Date Completed
(Set a specific date)
Elaborate On Your Goal
(Write a paragraph or so about your goal so you are clear on what you are trying to achieve. List the benefits of achieving your goal so you understand why it is important to you)
Steps You Will Take To Achieve Your Goal
(Make a list of all the things you can do to work towards your goal)
Measurements Of Your Progress
(State how you will measure your progress and then keep a record of those measurements as you take them.)
Worksheet Example
State Your Goal
I will weigh 125 pounds by July 4, 2012.
Target Date -- Start Date -- Date Completed
July 4, 2012 March 6, 2012 --
Elaborate On Your Goal
I will lose 25 pounds by eating a healthier diet, reducing calories, and exercising more. I will weigh 125 pounds by the fourth of July and feel healthier. I will have more energy and my clothes will fit better.
Steps You Will Take to Achieve Your Goal
1. Eliminate soft drinks and eating at fast food restaurants.
2. Walk on my treadmill for 30 minutes every evening.
3. Go to the gym three times a week after work.
4. Count and keep track of calories every day.
5. Eat breakfast every morning.
6. Take a low calorie lunch to work.
7. Eat more salads.
Measurements of Your Progress
I will list my daily caloric intake.
I will list body measurements weekly.
I will weigh myself weekly and list the results below.
Important Points to Know About Using a Goal Setting Worksheet
Don't create a goal setting worksheet and then toss it in a drawer, never to be seen again. Look at your worksheet often.
If possible, place it where you will see it several times during the day. Maybe you could hang it on a corkboard behind your computer.
Goal setting forms do nothing by themselves. You have to use them to organize your strategy and track your results. That means reading your goals daily and updating your form at regular intervals.
If you are like most people, you have several pressing goals you want to achieve. It is best to use one form per goal. If the goals are related such as losing weight and getting fit, they could easily be tracked on the same goal setting worksheet.
However, if your goals are very different, say losing weight and landing a better paying job, it is better to write up two different goal setting forms.
You may have several worksheets going at the same time. As long as you make progress towards your goals and don't become too scattered, having multiple goals is a good thing, particularly since some may take months to complete.
The Goal Setting Worksheet as a Form of Self Improvement
A goal setting worksheet is perhaps one of the most basic, yet most powerful, tools for self improvement. You put goals into place in order to improve a particular aspect of your life and a worksheet keeps you on task so you achieve what you set out to achieve.
While your life is improving by leaps and bounds, you are also building important character qualities such as self confidence and self reliance.
Achieving goals increases your will power and mind power. It trains your subconscious to believe in your ability to succeed and that will benefit you in all aspects of daily life and spiritual growth.
Goal Setting Worksheet Template For Printing
State Your Goal
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Target Date -- Start Date -- Date Completed
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Elaborate On Your Goal
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Steps You Will Take To Achieve Your Goal
1. _____________________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________________________
4. _____________________________________________________________
5. _____________________________________________________________
6. _____________________________________________________________
7. _____________________________________________________________
8. _____________________________________________________________
9. _____________________________________________________________
10. _____________________________________________________________
Measurements Of Your Progress:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
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