Goals are exciting and energizing. They drive us to achieve 
beyond our expectations. They make it easier for us to focus and 
concentrate, and give us permission to say "no" to distractions. 
Then dreams really do come true. But unless you spend time to 
explore, plan and prioritize, setting the wrong goals can lead 
to disappointment and disillusion. This saps your energy and 
motivation.

It is crucial that you motivate both your mind (what you think 
you should do) and your heart (what you value). It is difficult 
to examine your values, beliefs, and true purpose without a 
trusted partner such as a coach. Once you have explored with 
your coach what is really important to you in your life (career, 
family, community, your values and purpose), it should become 
clear what you need to do. Your goals are a natural extension 
of your values. 


Goal Setting is Not for Sissies!

If you have prioritized 3 areas or values in your life, you are 
ready to set your goals. Three is an ideal number, as more than 
that can disperse your focus and concentration. You should be 
prepared to spend time, money and energy on achieving these 
goals. Remember, goal setting is not for sissies! It requires 
sacrifice. You have to really want to achieve them and be 
willing to say "no" to distractions. 

At this point you're ready to cast those ideas into the form 
of a SMART goal. A SMART goal is:

   S-specific 
   M-measurable 
   A-attainable 
   R-realistic 
   T-time framed

1. Be specific when you write down a goal. Narrow your focus. 
   "Getting fit" is not a goal, but an outcome. "Exercising 
   regularly" is not specific enough. Write down things like, 
   "Ride bike 40 minutes four times a week (Monday, Tuesday, 
   Thursday, and Friday)." Start small and start specific. 
   You can always expand goals as you make progress.

2. Write down your goals and their measures. You will need to 
   track the minutes, the days or the number of times you engage 
   in your goal behavior. If you don't complete the originally 
   defined time or measure, write down the minutes you did 
   complete. This will track your efforts and help sustain you 
   when you lack energy or motivation. 


3. Make sure the goal you write down is attainable and realistic. 
   If you know that 40 minutes on the bike will exhaust you, or 
   create stress because of the time involved in showering, 
   changing, or other inconveniences, then change the goal to 
   something more attainable. 

   "No pain, no gain" is true in many areas of goal setting. 
   Remember, if there is too much pain, you will not gain your 
   goal. Make sure you are willing to pay the price of achieving 
   your goal.

   By the same token, you need to evaluate and review your goals 
   so that they are not too easy. If you are well on your way to 
   achieving your goals, then you may have set them too low. Try 
   stretching them 10 or 20 percent. 

4. Your goals need to be time-framed. There needs to be a 
   beginning and an end. This would look something like this: 
   Have a fifteen percent increase in sales by the end of the 
   year. This should be tracked monthly or quarterly. 
   Furthermore, since sales increase is probably a function of 
   number of clients, there should be specific goals for number 
   of client contacts within time frames. 


As you track your progress, ask for someone to hold you 
accountable. It is easier to stay on track when you have support 
and reminders. Your coach is trained and has expertise in this 
area. Ask for help. 


What to Do When Goals are Incomplete

There are no failures. With your coach, you can review your 
shortages without judgment. This is where real learning about 
yourself takes place. The self-awareness that can be gained 
when you set a goal that you do not achieve is worth the price 
of admission. 

With a coach, reviewing the reasons for incompletion tells us 
something about our true values, competing commitments, real 
priorities and gives us invaluable information about what really 
matters to us.

Choosing and planning your goals is hard work. It takes time and 
commitment. The rewards, however, are great. By aligning your 
head with your heart you will set meaningful, attainable goals 
that will help you make progress toward what you truly value 
in your life.


To read parts 1 and 2 on The Art of The Goal, please click here:
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