5 TIPS FOR GOAL WRITING

Here are 5 tips for goal setting that will help you achieve your personal and professional ambitions:

1. Set Goals that Motivate You

Remember you are setting goals for yourself. Nobody else knows what motivates you better than you. Use this in your goal setting. Choose objectives that mean something to you personally and professionally. Make an emotional connection with your goals, think about the difference achieving your goal will make to you and your loved ones. This will help you stay motivated and move toward achieving success.

2. Make Sure Your Goals Are Smart

Your goals should meet the following four criteria:

•    Specific—Be as specific as possible with your goals. This will keep you focused and motivated.
•    Measurable—Your goals should be measurable. Set smaller milestones within larger goals. When you reach each milestone, celebrate it, and keep pushing further towards your goal.
•    Attainable—The advice is to be realistic when setting goals. However, setting stretched goals that excite, and challenge you is always the best approach. This will enable you to grow, stretch your abilities and achieve more. 
•    Relevant—Ensure your goals are relevant and meaningful to you. Establish a personal connection with each goal. 
•    Timeline—You should set a timeline or target deadline for achieving specific goals. This will help you to stay on track.

3. Write Down Your Goals
Research states that you are 42% more likely to achieve your goals by writing them down. By writing your goals down you will be more accountable. Your goal list also gives you something visual you can look at to stay motivated. Write, read and visualise yourself achieving your goals daily. 

4. Visualise your goals
You will become emotionally involved with your goals by visualising the outcome of achieving them. This will motivate you and inspire you to take action.

5. Commit Yourself
Decide you are going to take the action required to achieve your goals. Be consistent in your actions and plan out specific action steps. Break down those steps into daily, weekly, and monthly tasks that will keep you on target. Small incremental improvement implemented consistently over time will have a massive impact. Track your progress, as well. Reward yourself when you reach certain milestones. Stay motivated and NEVER GIVE UP. 
‘I never lose, I either win or learn’, Nelson Mandela.