The Anatomy of Goal Setting

"I believe you can train yourself to become a positive thinker, but you must cultivate a desire to develop the skill of setting personal worthy and realistic goals. I am so thoroughly convinced that if we don't set goals in our life and learn how to master the technique of living to reach our goals, we can reach a ripe old age and look back on our life only to see that we reached but a small part of our full potential. When you learn to master the principle of setting a goal, you will then be able to make a great difference in the results you attain in this life." M. Russell Ballard

Why do so many of us line up at the first of the year with a laundry list of New Years resolutions that internally we know will never be met? I know, we have all done this, right? We tell ourselves that "this year is going to be different. This is the year that I am really going to do it. I know I said this last year but I mean it this time; I am going to hit my goals". Then as if history didn't repeat enough we find ourselves no better off when the next year comes around. Actually we may even be worse off solidifying even more in our minds that setting goals is just a waste of time.

Have you ever heard of S.M.A.R.T. goals: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-based? Let's look into this a little closer and see if we can understand the root of why some hit their goals while most don't.

Specific: Too many goals are broad and leave room for questions which inevitably leads to doubt. It's as if we are trying to, "Throw mud up against the wall and see what sticks" as the saying goes? Have you tried to run your business or life this way? If you have I'm sure that you found it is much like being a leaf in the wind. Goals need to be detailed where there is no question about what it is you actually want. Get specific; what is it that you really want?

Measurable: This leads directly from specific. If your goal is broad it certainly can't be measurable. A goal has to be broken up into bite size segments where you can do one of two things at each interval; either gauge your progress or make necessary adjustments. Roam was not built in a year and you're not going to loose those 20 pounds that you put on during the holidays until you have at least committed yourself to a week of exercise and dieting.

Attainable: How many times have you heard someone setting a goal of making a million dollars when for the past few years they have been salaried at $50,000 per year? I don't want to rule out that it is not possible but it is highly unlikely. Within each of our brains we have what is known as the Reticular Activation System or RAS. It operates much like a thermostat and works at keeping us where we are most comfortable; emotional, financial and physical. I won't get into the science behind this other than to say that our goals need to be something that stretches us while at the same time allowing our RAS to adjust with the changes without overloading.

Realistic: This goes in line with attainable. It's important to take a common sense approach to setting goals. I'm not convinced that it is better to shoot for the stars and miss then to not shoot at all. While making changes in our lives, especially significant ones, does require risk I don't condone placing your neck right in the giateen. There has to be a personal belief behind the goal in order to be attainable.

Time-Based: When are you going to be accountable for the completion of your goal without a time stamp? There is something magical that takes place in the brain when a deadline is placed on a goal. It immediately goes into action sifting through its torrent of data to map out the most efficient way to achieve your goal.

It's also essential to recognize the perspective that your goals are being made from. Aren't most goals materialistic in nature? We have a tendency to place our goals with the perception that if we "have" something then we can "do" more and only then "be" who we want to be. Isn't this the opposite of the Be, Do, Have principle? I recommend making your goals based on who you want to "be" instead of what you want to "have" and then recognize the distinction of depth and meaning that your goals will embody.