Purpose is the Key to Goal Setting

Why… is the best question  

By Jeffrey Hansler, CSP

There are many books and articles on goal setting.  Each has something to offer the person who is looking for methods of setting goals.  The key to successfully set goals is not "How do you set goals?" but "Why are you setting goals?”                           

The reality is that in the past you have and in the future you will accomplish a great deal without creating written goals.  This being the case, you consciously or subconsciously realize you can survive a great many tomorrows without setting goals.

In addition to this reality, one of the consequences of setting a goal is the possibility of not reaching that goal as planned.  We often view this as failure and very few of us like failure.  As a result, we avoid the issue of failure by not setting goals.

Goals contribute to your life.  They can help you organize and become more effective.  Proof can be found in all walks of life that goals help you to achieve what you desire.  The biggest hurdle to overcome is acquiring a state of mind where you will begin to work goal setting into your activities.

To begin this process, ask yourself and write down your answers to the question, "What could be a positive result of setting goals for me?”  You might find yourself writing down your defining purpose, motivation, challenge, direction, and improvement.

Review your list and pick one positive result that you would achieve from setting a goal.  Ask yourself the next two questions, "What does this result do for me?" and "How do I feel when I get this result?”

Now ask yourself one final question, "Is getting this result important enough for me to set a goal?”  If the answer is no, put this article away for a couple of days and come back to it again.  If the answer is yes, then choose and write down a goal that can be achieved today and work to achieve it.

This can begin you on the rewarding journey of setting and achieving your goals.

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Jeffrey Hansler is a professional speaker, author, and consultant. He is a frequent speaker at association events and is the author of Sell Little Red Hen! Sell! He can be reached at jhansler@oxfordco.com.

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