How to Learn to Set Goals

Some people are able to set goals and reach them, with apparent ease, all through life. For others, goal-setting seems to be much more difficult. One of the biggest obstacles preventing many from setting and reaching goals is low self-esteem. Depreciated feelings of self-worth interfere with realistic goal-setting because those with low self-esteem have difficulty setting goals that match realistic personal abilities. A man with low self-esteem will tend to set overly low goals for himself or not bother setting goals at all. If you want to learn to set goals effectively, you should first take a realistic look at your personality. If you have trouble setting goals right now because you are depressed or have low self-esteem, dealing with your depression or self-esteem should be your first goal. Also, some people work best under pressure, but not everyone does. Remember to set your goals according to how you work best.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Weekly planner
• Yearly Planner
• Diary

1. Sit down with a pen and a piece of paper and write down how you want your life to be one year (or whatever future time period) from today. For instance, if your goal is to make more money and have a new car or home, write that down. If you want to be happier, write that down too. Be as detailed as you feel comfortable being.

2. Think about the positive steps needed to take you from the situation you are in today to how you want your life to be one year from today. Write these steps down. If you desire more happiness, rather than simply more physical objects, you will need to determine what happiness means for you. If your goal is a new job, outline the qualities you want in a new job.

3. Determine what stands in your way of achieving your goals. If you set a goal, reaching that goal often requires removing obstacles blocking your access to the goal as much as it requires adding new things or new attitudes to your life. If your goal is more peace in your life, for example, and you are currently surrounded by emotionally unhealthy people, you may need to stay away from those people, essentially removing them from your life.

4. Estimate how long each step will take. Give yourself either an approximate time-frame to fulfill your goal or an exact date. Deadlines keep most people focused. Self-imposed deadlines should be treated as important as any deadline.

5. Start a weekly diary of your progress. Doing this helps keep you focused on your goals and will allow you to set new goals ifa change is necessary. This will also give you tangible evidence of progress achieved so you can look back and reflect on this progress if you have difficulty in the future.

Tips & Warnings

• Always have backup plans in case something gets in your way of achieving your goals.

• Goal-setting is as much about changing your attitude as it is about changing physical aspects of your life.

• There are many paths leading to a goal--stay flexible if the path you've chosen turns out not to be right for you. You can always switch paths.

• Don't be so hard on yourself about setbacks that you get into a slump.

• Don't set goals that are unrealistic. Most people do not become billionaires in one year.