What is the secret of successful goal setting?
May 2024
Make this year your year. It's not too late yet.
Every day carries the potential for transformation and unlimited possibilities.
If you're ready to make this year YOUR year, you've got something to look forward to! Today I'm sharing three strategies to help you achieve your goals. Buckle up and let's dive in!
1. step by step to your goal
Do you know the saying: “Even the longest journey begins with the first step.“?
The concept of “Goal Setting to the Now” from the book “The One Thing” by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan can help you break down your long-term goal into manageable, immediately actionable tasks. The goal is to gain clarity on what specific actions need to be taken today to achieve the desired future results.
The basic principles of the concept are:
- Long-term vision:
Start with a clear idea of your long-term goal. This can be a life goal, a career goal or another important goal that you want to achieve in the future. - Plan backwards:
Work backwards from your long-term goal to determine which milestones and intermediate goals need to be achieved along the way. Ask yourself: “What do I need to have achieved in five years to get closer to my long-term goal?” - Questions about the milestone:
Continue this process for shorter and shorter periods of time. Think about what needs to be achieved in a year, in six months, in a month and in a week to reach the five-year goal. Ask yourself questions like: “What do I need to have achieved in one year?” and “What do I need to have achieved in six months?” - Daily actions:
Finally, break down these intermediate goals into daily actions. Ask yourself: “What can I do today to achieve the weekly goal?” This brings the long-term goal into the focus of your daily tasks and decisions. - The focusing question:
The book introduces the “focusing question”, which is: “What is the one thing I can do that will make everything else easier or unnecessary?” This question will help you to identify the most important tasks that will have the greatest impact on progress towards your goal.
Here is an example to illustrate this:
Angenommen, dein langfristiges Ziel ist es, ein Buch zu schreiben und zu veröffentlichen:
- Long-term goal:The book should be published in five years.
- One-year goal:The book should be finished in a year.
- Six-month goal:The first draft should be completed in six months.
- Monthly goal:The index and the first three chapters should be written in a month.
- Weekly goal:The first chapter should be finished this week.
- Daily action:Today you should write 500 words.
By applying “Goal Setting to the Now”, you can ensure that each of your daily actions contributes directly to your long-term goal. This concept can help you maintain focus and make continuous progress by breaking down big, often overwhelming goals into smaller, doable steps.
2. create habits that will light up your goals
Recognize the mystical power of habits! They are the secret sauce to achieving your goals effortlessly. Let's say you want to improve your fitness. Then you could put fixed, recurring appointments in your calendar. Or you could pack your gym bag the night before so you have no more excuses. Or what a good friend of mine does: she puts on her sports bra when she gets up in the morning and only takes it off again when she's finished exercising. What could be the small step that is a small thing for your goal? Small, regular habits can develop into strong routines that help you achieve your goals.
Also remember that the secret is to design your environment to support these habits. For example, do you want to drink more water? Place a filled water bottle within easy reach.
3. find a buddy: get there together
Find a like-minded person who supports you in your goal and perhaps even has a similar goal - that way you can support each other. Plan regular meetings or exchanges to motivate, push and challenge each other, but also to celebrate successes.
Imagine that for every big goal, you have a partner who will make sure you don't let up even when the first one lacks motivation or you feel down. Together you will overcome challenges, rekindle your enthusiasm and emerge victorious.
In summary:
- Unleash the magic of your big goals by breaking them down into delightful, achievable steps.
- Break your daily routine with new, goal-oriented habits that support your goal.
- Team up with someone, exchange ideas and meet up regularly. This will keep you motivated for longer.
These little strategies will help you get much closer to your goals this year. Have fun trying them out and make this year your year.