The Techniques to Set Goals

There are any number of goal setting tips, tricks and techniques. Personal coaches, self-help books, seminars and even software all exist to help with goal setting and management. There are, however, a few key points on which almost all of them agree. Goals should be realistic and approached step-by-step. Keep track of goals by writing them down, be flexible and have some reward for accomplishing them.

Be Realistic

• It is important to set goals that are achievable. People frequently focus on goal setting out of a sense of frustration because they feel like they are not making progress in their lives or in certain areas of life. Setting unrealistic, unreasonable goals doesn't help that situation and can lead to even greater feelings of frustration. This does not mean that goals should be easy, but it's important to keep in mind what you can reasonably do.

Small Steps

• With larger goals that you cannot accomplish all at once, approach them in stages. If, for example, the goal is to write a book, the to-do list should not be "write a book." Instead, approach it in small steps such as a page a day or a chapter a week. Trying to tackle large, long-term goals in a single step can lead to frustration if the goals aren't accomplished quickly.

Be Flexible

• If something isn't working or if a situation changes, it is important not to be too locked into goals. This is something of a balancing act. It is important not to abandon goals easily, but if they prove unrealistic or no longer desirable, don't hold on to goals simply for a sense of accomplishment. Revisit goals and schedules regularly to make sure they are still desirable and realistic.

Rewards

• Achieving goals should be rewarding. It is important to keep track of accomplishments and establish rewards for reaching goals or attaining certain benchmarks on the way to goals. Perpetual to-do lists that do not provide rewards or a sense of accomplishment can defeat the purpose of goal-setting.