A goal is a target. Think of a goal as a destination on a map. To reach the destination, you have to gather the necessary essentials for the trip and plot out a defined route. You also must have resources available in the event you hit a roadblock and be prepared to take any necessary detours. You must celebrate when you’ve reached your destination.
Tip
A goal should keep you focused on your own success and keep you motivated when you encounter setbacks
Goals help you stay focused on the future and keep you motivated to continue when you encounter setbacks. They help you achieve, not just hope for, what you want in life. You should set goals in all major areas of your life.
Goal setting may help you view yourself more positively, which can manifest itself into a more positive attitude. Others may sense this and be drawn to help you pursue your goals
Major areas of your life
The act of achieving short – and long-term goals is like a map with a targeted destination on it. Think of the end point as the long-term goal. Each pit stop you make on the journey is a progressive short-term goal that helps you reach your ultimate long-term goal. Long-term goals typically take over a year to achieve (often much long).
You can typically achieve a short-term goal within a year. In some cases, short-term goals are the steps necessary to achieve a long-term goal. However, short-term goals have value of their own; they do not have to inevitably lead to some larger, long-term goal.
In business, short-term goals are often referred to as objectives because they are measurable and may have specific time frames. When you are setting personal goals, your timeline may be one day, a week, or a month.
An easy way to help remember the strategy for developing short-term goals is to use the acronym SMART:
A mentor is a wonderful resource to have in your life!
Can You Ask Anyone to Be Your Mentor?
Practice positive thinking!
Tip
Studies show that a positive attitude can be the difference between achieving a goal and not achieving a goal
Remember, you can think positively or negatively in almost every situation. So in this case, take a negative thought and turn it into something positive!
You've completed this lesson.