Goal Setting Tips:
Effective and Ineffective Goal Setting

You need to know effective and ineffective goal setting tips in order to reach goals successfully. And since loving yourself is about setting attainable goals, I thought you might like to know the difference between succeeding and failing when it comes to goal setting.

• Set specific goals rather than vague goals.
  

  A specific goal is just as it sounds, "specific." A specific goal needs to have a clear, detailed plan of what it is you want to accomplish. An example of this would be "exercising three times a week in order to lose weight." On the other hand, a vague goal is totally opposite of a specific goal. For instance, a vague goal lacks detail for how you want to accomplish a goal. An example of this would be setting a goal of "I want to lose weight."

  The benefit of setting a specific goal is, you know exactly what it is you are aiming towards. However, the problem with setting a vague goal is, one may never feel like he or she is accomplishing anything because there is nothing to measure. For instance, the goal of losing weight may feel overwhelming to someone who hasn't set a specific goal of how he or she is going to lose that weight. If one met a goal of "losing 10 pounds" or "exercising 3 times a week," however, there would be a feeling of success.

• Set realistic goals rather than unrealistic goals
  

  If there is one thing to remember with goal setting tips is learn the difference between setting realistic and unrealistic goals. Knowing this important information can mean the difference between success and failure.

  The difference between realistic and unrealistic goals are realistic are attainable, whereas unrealistic goals are not. For instance, let's think of someone who wants to be a "singer." Okay, well that goal is attainable if this person has the voice for it. If this person scares away chirping birds, however, leading a singer lifestyle may not be so realistic. On the other hand, if someone has a beautiful voice and he or she is interested in singing, becoming a singer would definitely be a realistic goal (expecting that she or he set specific goals for getting there).

  The problem with setting unrealistic goals is it also sets someone up for disappointment and leads to low self-confidence. That's why it's so important to learn everything there is about yourself in order to reach your potential and to set realistic goals that are perfect for you.

  Here are a few more goal setting tips :)

• Set your goals in public rather than in private.
  

  Most of the time we set goals in our own minds. However, sometimes we tend to push our goals aside or forget about them when we don't share them with others. The benefit of letting others know about your goals is others may keep you accountable for your goals.

  For instance, let's say you want to save at least $500 for an upcoming trip you are going on with a friend. However, you're afraid that you'll spend that money elsewhere, so you decide to have this friend keep track of your spending. Every time you're about to spend extra money (when the two of you are together), your friend reminds you of that trip and suggests that you save your cash.

  Overall, everyone has different motivators, but more often than not, sharing your goals with others is a better motivator than it is to keep it to yourself.

• Setting deadlines
  

  Having a deadline to accomplish a goal is more effective than not having a deadline at all. For instance, a deadline will keep you motivated to stay focused on a specific goal, whereas having no deadline will do the opposite. When a deadline isn't set for a goal, it's easy to let the goal fall off course, "Oh, I can do this goal anytime. I'll start on another day!"

• Getting feedback for goal setting
  

  Many times we need some sort of reinforcement for accomplishing a goal. And the best way to do this is to set up a measurable system that motivates you to keep going.

  A good measurable system would be something like tracking your progress on a huge piece of cardboard or in a notebook of some sort. For instance, a good example would be marking the cardboard with a check mark after every time you have exercised. And if you meet your goal of exercising three times a week, give yourself a treat (i.e., a trip to the spa, a haircut, or whatever interests you).

  Committing yourself to complete the goal.
  

  Out of all the goal setting tips, I believe in this one the most. Whether the goal is specific, realistic, or whatever, it will not work if you don't commit yourself to your goal.

  So, it all depends on how much this goal means to you. If you really want to accomplish something, you will, regardless of your circumstances. However, decide whether or not accomplishing a certain goal is a priority to you and if it isn't, maybe it's best to push it aside for another goal with more priority.

Overall, these goal setting tips are a great guideline to follow for achieving your goals successfully and for understanding why it's been difficult to accomplish your goals.

Martin, G., & Pear, J. (2003). Behavior Modification: What it is and how to do it. (7th Ed.). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall