Goals must be WRITTEN DOWN

Goals must be WRITTEN DOWN

Goals June 27th, 2007

It is an established fact that people who write down their goals are far more successful at achieving them than those who merely think about them.

Once you’ve written down the WHAT (the goal) and the WHEN (the deadline), it’s vital to write down the HOW; the steps, methods and equipment needed or the changes you must make to achieve your goal.

Writing goals down, appears to generate a psychological impetus, especially when the formula set out in the GOAL EXAMPLE is followed. Using this formula allows you to:

Have a clearer visualisation that will keep your sights focussed on the desired outcome
Monitor your progress objectively and accurately. This will provide invaluable feedback and reinforcement that keeps you motivated
Revise or adjust your intermediate targets - if necessary.

It’s vital to write down any new targets to stay on track, in the same way that you need an up-to-date street directory to find your way around an unfamiliar city.

The principles of this formula can be applied to virtually any goal, large or small, you wish to achieve. Bigger or more complex goals just require a little more thought and planning with possibly more intermediate steps. That’s okay too, since life, with all its challenges and achievements, is an ongoing process. Remember the person who wanted to eat an elephant.

Part 1: Goals must be realistic and achievable
Part 2: Goals must be specific and personal to you
Part 3: Goals must be measurable
Part 4: Goals must have a time frame
Part 5: Goals must be written down