How to Set Goals

I have never had to shield myself from so much snow fall. My body was completely covered. I was hoping to be through it before my jacket and gear become no match for this massive snow dump. Every step literally piled another half inch on my shoulders. My hat, normally blue, was completely white.

My cheeks were freezing, but fortunately, frost bite was not imminent. Instead the snow that landed on the mere inch of exposed face, melted and ran down into my collar. The visibility was literally only 2 feet in front of me. I didn’t have that far to go, but unfortunately, I didn’t know which direction to go. It was time to give up.

I have talked about this dang snow blower before! I trudged on, stupidly, with the spout on the blower pointed straight up. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I knew that I could point the spout on the blower right or left… I just forgot that it had an elbow on it that allowed the snow storm to shoot towards the ground or in the air. I apparently chose the air while my family watched me and my self inflicted blizzard attempt to clear the driveway.

Believe it or not, there is a moral to this story. Right now, millions of people are setting goals for themselves. Millions of people are also saying, “I don’t set goals at the first of the year, I set them year round.” Most of those people are full of bologna, but that’s beside the point. Because I am a huge goal setter, I just happen to be thinking about everything and anything metaphorically to goal setting.

I had a goal to remove the snow from the driveway. I had an action plan on how I was going to do it. I had a timeline in which I was going to achieve my goal. I did NOT identify all the obstacles that would hinder my process. Seriously, ice in the driveway was my only obstacle.

“Okay, whatever! What’s the point Duncan?”

The point is this, very few people understand how to systematically create goals. The snow in the driveway just got me thinking about this process. Everyone can dream. Which by the way is step 1 in the goal setting process, but few know steps 2, 3, 4 and so on. Goals have plans, or as I like to call them, blueprints for success.

Take for instance, the Boise State Broncos. The Broncos did not make it to two Fiesta Bowls in 3 years because of several guys that can run 57 mph, jump 9 feet in the air, and make one handed catches while stretched out like Inspector Gadget. They have a beautifully constructed plan that encompasses marketing to high school all stars on ESPN, a stellar strength and conditioning plan, a regimented practice curriculum that builds discipline, confidence, and teamwork, and the list goes on.

A few goals that many people have every year is to:
1. Quit smoking
2. Become more organized
3. Become lean & fit

I definitely cannot help with #1, and can help with #2, but don’t want to because I would be bored. I can absolutely help with #3, and would love every minute of it, including the entire time it takes you to achieve that goal.

This blog post is not meant to be a promotion for our Ultimate Body Challenge, but if you have been searching for a proven, systemized goal setting process that will help you achieve this goal, then perhaps it’s a small promotion for you.

Right now is the time to think about your dreams for 2010. Put those dreams onto paper with a plan, and you’ve got yourself a goal. Many people know that I used to be a representative for Zig Ziglar and would put on workshops that taught people how to do this.

Here is a quick and dirty goal setting process. Use this format for every single one of your goals.

Step 1

Consider some things you are truly passionate about. Then write them down.

Step 2

Consider some important questions before you settle on your goals.
Will this goal improve your relationship with your children?
Will this goal improve your relationship with your spouse?
Will this goal improve your life longevity?
Will this goal impact colleagues, friends, and family members in a positive way?
Will achieving your goal be at the expense of someone else?
Is your goal simply frivolous or materialistic?
Is your goal ethical?

Step 3

Decide if your goal is SMART.

S- Specific
M- Measurable
A- Attainable
R- Realistic
T- Time Sensitive

Step 4

Did your goal get through steps 2 and 3? Then, proceed into step 4 by completing the goal setting worksheet.

Goal:
[Place your goal here]

Date:
[Spend time thinking about a realistic time line to accomplish this goal. If your goal is large, then create milestones with dates on those as well.]

Benefits:
[List as many benefits as possible. Ask other people what they think would be a benefit as well. When you think you are finished, spend more time and come up with a few more benefits. Continue that process until you can no longer think of another single benefit. This is a crucial part of the process that empowers you mentally and builds enthusiasm for your success. Skipping this step is like getting in your car with only a quarter tank of gas before you go on a trip.]

Obstacles:
[List all of the items that will hinder your process. Know what you are going to have to face. Once you’ve identified the hurdles, will you then be able to create the means to leap over them. The obstacles you list will contribute to your action steps below.]

Who’s Involved:
[List any individuals, organizations, etc. that will play a roll in the success of your goal. You may benefit by having some of these key individuals know what your goal is. They will either help hold you accountable or can help with your process.]

Action Steps:
[Skipping this step is like taking a trip in your car without a map. Wait! I mean without a GPS navigation system. List every single step that is required in achieving your goal. Think of this process as steps in an assembly manual for your daughter’s 3 Story Barbie Dream Doll House, or your son’s 1120 Piece Star Wars Lego Attack Cruiser. Each step is very concise.

This is not only a mental exercise for you to know your steps, but also a means for you to quickly take action everyday you’re working on your goal. If your action steps are vague, you will most likely skip over it, ignore it, or flat out won’t remember the details, thus resulting in the whole process coming to a screeching halt.

Take your action steps and place them in your planner, your PDA, or a calendar.]


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Now, take this goal setting worksheet and place it somewhere that you can see it every single day.

If you found this goal setting blog post helpful, share the wealth. Pass it onto a friend and vow to hold each other accountable in attaining your goals. I would say that for every person you pass this onto, you’ll lose 1 pound, but that simply won’t happen. Not because it’s not true, but because you haven’t even gone through the goal setting process to lose weight:).

Respectfully,

Duncan Richardson
Chief Master Instructor
The Academy of World Taekwondo
Ph: 208.381.0587
Get a New Physique in 2010- The Ultimate Body Challenge