Goal Setting for Success

Just as a map takes you where you're traveling on a highway, so your goals are a map for the road you're traveling in life! We all have goals in the back of our mind, but we don't always bring them into focus to achieve them. If you find you have goals that you think are not obtainable, decide on the most important ones and set each step of achievement in stages. Short-and long-term goals are important toward success.

Success is unique to each individual, so your goals should be personal and reflect you, and they will inevitably change over time. While someone at one point in their life may want to achieve becoming more assertive, happier in their career or having better relationships, at another point in their life they may want to further their education, have more financial security and more free time, or improve their health. Goals will give you direction, focus, and help you compose your world. You will receive from life what you expect from it.

Although our main focus here in goal setting is on career, it will be difficult to separate other personal goals, so if you find they overlap or you want to set other personal goals at the same time, please do so. In fact, we have added personal goal suggestions as well.

Following are seven guidelines for achieving your goals:

  1. Write down your goals and review them often
  2. Establish specific objectives and time frames
  3. Create action plans
  4. Determine further knowledge required
  5. Commit and promise yourself to implement and achieve them
  6. Track your progress on a regular basis
  7. Each time you achieve a goal, celebrate your accomplishment!

You may print this page and get a pencil, or open your favorite text or word processor and get started. Following are some questions to stimulate your thinking. Remember, keep your goals simple, clear and concise.

  • What are my career goals?
  • Where would I like to be working in one year/five years/ten years?
  • What skills do I want to improve? Do I want further education?
  • What do I want to accomplish this year?
  • What do I want to accomplish in five years?
  • What are my financial goals in one year/five years/ten years?
  • Where do I want to be living in five years/ten years?
  • How will I be spending my time in one year/five years/ten years?
  • What will my work/personal/family relationships be like in one year/five years/ten years?
  • Other goals I want to accomplish...
  • In my lifetime I want to accomplish...

Goals are a journey and a process, not a final destination, so save this page as a favorite or bookmark it, and rewrite and add to your goals whenever you feel to do so. In life you will always have something to expect from yourself; challenges keep you youthful. The more you practice setting and achieving your goals, the more you will enjoy it and receive from life. Moreover, achieving your goals will give you a feeling of satisfaction, accomplishment and fulfillment!

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