All good things start with a goal… That’s why everybody is always talking about how important it is to have them.
You probably remember sitting through countless lessons at school listening to a teacher going on and on about setting short, medium and long term goals, (and begging the clock to turn faster). But the fact is that having goals and reaching them are two completely different things.
Successful people know that it’s not just about dreaming it, it’s also about taking active steps towards making these dreams a reality. Defining the right goals and setting out to achieve them go hand-in-hand.
GetSmarter, an online education company specialising in short courses for working professionals, has shared with us 6 secrets all successful people know about achieving goals.
1 Keep things smart
We did some quick research and found out that most people don’t remember this little gem we learnt in high school. So to recap: when settings goals make sure that they are SMART.
- S pecific
- M easurable
- A ttainable
- R elevant
- T ime-bound
2 Have a clear action plan
Just like a sports team chooses a game plan before a big match, you need to have an action plan when working towards your goals. Break your goals down into manageable steps according to time, resources and any other constraints you may have. Use this information to work out a schedule of events, and set clear milestones for each of them.
3 Live your action plan
Now that you have a plan, don’t just pin it on your dream board and leave it there! Starting now (yes today), act on it. Work on your goals regularly so that you feel like you’re actively progressing, this will ensure you maintain momentum and inspiration.
4 Constantly review and adjust
Unfortunately, life is not set in stone and sometimes we need to make adjustments. Track your progress to see how far you’ve come. If things aren’t quite going the way you want, don’t be rigid with your action plan – mixing things up can make a major difference.
5 Share your goals with others
Letting people you trust in on your dreams can be so beneficial. Not only will you receive support and encouragement, but you’ll also have someone to hold you accountable. Co-workers, family and friends can all help to keep you motivated and on track.
6 Keep pushing forward
‘It’ happens, things go wrong, life throws a ton of curve balls. Don’t let setbacks push you off course. It’s important to understand and accept that failure is a big part of success. So be persistent and believe in yourself! You’ve totally got this.
GetSmarter partners with top-tier Universities to present career-focused online short courses, postgraduate programmes, and professional accounting programmes. Visit www.getsmarter.co.za.
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