How to Become Goal Oriented

Achievement doesn't usually happen by accident, and it's not the result of luck. Instead, it is the culmination of planning and hard work. To get ahead in your career and your life, you need goals and the means to achieve them.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

1. Set your goals. Determine what you want to achieve, where you want to be in 10 years, what qualities you'd like to possess. Think big. This is your life. Your career can go as far as you want it to.

2. List small steps toward each goal. Goals are not achieved overnight. It takes time and hard work to become successful. For each goal you set, make a list of steps you'll have to follow to get to that goal. For example, if your career goal is to have your boss's job, your first step might be to do your own job flawlessly. Then, you might plan to take on an extra project to get noticed by upper management. Your next step could be that first promotion which will get you one position closer to achieving your ultimate goal.

3. Track your progress. As you accomplish the steps on your list to your ultimate goals, check them off. Periodically look back at your list of goals and assess your progress. This is an important part of achievement because it may take years to attain your ultimate goal. Keeping track of your progress keeps you focused on the goal. Seeing your progress will motivate you to continue.

4. Celebrate your achievements. When you achieve one of your goals, take the time to enjoy the moment. Think back to when you set the goal and appreciate the work you put in. You remained focused long enough to walk through those small steps, and you finally made it.

5. When the celebrating is over, think about a new goal. Now that you have your boss's job, what are you going to do with it? Think about what motivated you to want the job in the first place. Maybe you thought you could make the company more productive. Make that a goal and list the small steps you must take to get there.