You have probably heard about the importance of goal setting

right from you were a little child. Have you ever wondered

why does one need to have a goal? Can't we just get along

with our lives without goals? Most people experience

difficulty when it comes to aspiring a goal and for some

others the very goal setting process may seem jaw- breaking.

To truly benefit from the process of goal setting, you have

to know the exact reasons why you will need to achieve it

and how you are going to reach that outcome.

Starting off with goal setting can especially be complicated

because at any point of time a person has a number of hopes,

wishes and objectives. And zeroing upon a goal means you

have to choose the one that demands immediate attention. But

at the initial stage this is what you'll need to do if you

want to pursue something with a certain sense of discipline.

To be on the safer side what you can do is set a goal that

has something to do with happiness, success or even

motivation. The moment you fix a goal to work on you'll find

it easier to achieve.

So what is the basis behind goal setting? Why do people set

goals? Simply put, goal setting is another phrase to explain

personal planning. Just as you need to nurture your plans

dedicatedly, so do you need to nourish your goals. By making

the process of goal setting a sequence of action steps, you

improve your chances of succeeding. Whenever you set a goal,

develop the conviction within you that you will reach your

desired outcome. This strong belief of success increases

confidence, concentration and is a common trait of high

achievers.

So what are the key factors to take note of when setting a

goal?

1.Set a definite date- When you set a goal, also set the

date by which you would like to achieve it. Until and unless

you work within the confines of a time frame you will not be

able to attain your goal. This rule is the same for both

short- term and long- term goals. When there is a set date

you have thought about pending success. This drives you on

and you strive until you finally attain your goal.

2. Long and short term goals. Besides setting 5, 10, 15 year

goals, its important to have a series of short term goals to

urge and guide you towards your long term goals. This

provides you valuable feedback on your progress towards your

long term goals to allow you to make the necessary action to

get yourself back on target.

3.One step at a time. Be consistent in taking action towards

your goals. Do not overburden yourself with too many goals

at once. As a guideline, strive to attain 5 goals at any

point of time. Move towards them steadily and you will see

results faster.

4.Do not send your schedule for a toss- If goal achieving is

your ultimate aim you need to make sure that you are

disciplined about it. Create a routine and follow it

rigorously. Bringing changes into your schedule too often

can delay achievement.