In the face of overwhelm, stay on track by focusing on your goals!
Desmond Tutu is credited with having said: "there is only one way to eat an elephant: one bite at at time."
Lately, I've encountered many people- both in professional and personal settings- who are feeling completely overwhelmed with what they're facing. There isn't just AN elephant to eat- there might be several. Have you ever felt that way? Are you feeling that way currently? Let's get back to thinking- "one bite at a time."
Let's take things one step at a time. How do we accomplish that? Goal setting- sounds so simple, right? But then, why do so few of us actually have written goals, a written plan, a truly defined and clear focus? Numerous studies have re-confirmed that only 3(yes THREE)% of people actually have clearly defined, written goals. Looking at this a bit more deeply, goal setting is an essential part of personal and professional development. Goal setting offers direction, focus, and a sense of purpose, which can help us achieve the things we want in life. Whether it's short-term or long-term, setting a goal is a powerful way to motivate ourselves, build momentum, and make progress towards our desired outcomes-especially when working from a place of inner purpose and transformation. In this blog, we will explore the importance of setting goals and provide some tips on how to achieve them.
In my opinion, one of the most important keys in goal setting- in achieving success in any endeavour- whether hitting the mark with a goal, or creating a new habit, is in having your goals flow from your "why" or "purpose"- that is rooted in your core.
What is the importance of goal setting? Here we go:
Clarifies priorities and objectives: When we set goals, we clarify what we want to achieve and what's most important to us. This clarity can help us focus our time, energy, and resources towards what really matters, making it easier to achieve our desired outcomes.
Motivation and momentum: Setting goals can be motivating, especially when we see progress towards our objectives. This momentum can help us overcome obstacles and challenges along the way and keep us motivated towards our desired outcomes.
Helps measure progress: By setting goals, we can track our progress and evaluate our performance. This feedback can help us make adjustments and improve our strategies to achieve our goals more effectively.
Creates accountability: When we set goals, we hold ourselves accountable for achieving them. This accountability can help us stay focused and committed to our goals, even when things get tough.
How to Achieve Goals:
Create SMART Goals: Many of us have heard the term "SMART" goal. To set yourself up for success, define your SMART goals. The acronym SMART means: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound. This framework will help you create goals that are actionable, realistic, and achievable.
Break it down: Large goals can be overwhelming. Break them down into smaller, more manageable steps. This makes it easier to track progress and build momentum towards your larger goal. This is part of the elephant eating exercise...small bites at a time.
Make a plan: Create a plan for HOW you'll achieve your goals. This is a task list. Identify specific actions, resources, and support you will need along the way. Having a plan can help you stay organized, motivated, and on track towards achieving your goals. Your coach will help you with this as well. Define those goals, articulate them to your coach. Your coach will ensure you stay on track to success.
Track progress: Regularly track your progress towards your goals. Tracking is critical to ensuring you stay on course. And please CELEBRATE- even the smallest of successes! By the same token, make appropriate adjustments as needed to stay on track. This feedback loop can help you improve your strategies and keep you motivated towards your desired outcomes.
Stay committed: Achieving goals takes time, effort, and persistence-one bite at a time. This may be the most difficult piece. Remember why you set your goal. If it's rooted in your why or pupose, it will be easier to remain committed. Work with a coach, as he or she will keep you accountable to your goal. Review the consequences of staying on track, or not. Consequences can be positive or negative.
If you are like so many people that I encounter each day, you are likely feeling a bit (or a lot) overwhelmed. It may feel like you don't just have ONE elephant to eat, but feel surrounded by a herd of them. Setting goals is a critical component of your growth and path forward. You can gain direction, motivation, while re-connecting with your sense of purpose. By defining SMART goals, breaking them down, creating a plan, tracking progress, and staying committed, you'll increase your chances of success towards your desired outcomes, while relieving the overwhelm. This process will take some time and effort, but with persistence, a coach, and a positive mindset, the elephant will be gone before you know it. Let's talk about how working with a coach in your business, life, professional or executive journey can help you get where you're going faster by making sense of that herd of elephants- one bite at a time. The coffee's on me! To learn more about us, or to book an appointment, our website is: www.InfiniteBusinessSolutions.ca