Set goals like a pro: 4 key things to consider

1. What?

What do you want to accomplish? The key thing is to be specific. Make your goals clear and attainable. And make them measurable so you can assess whether you are making progress. Your goals should also inspire you; they mustn’t be too general or dull. Simply be specific. Assess your weaknesses and strengths too. You will then see what you need to concentrate on in order to achieve your goals.

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Answer the points mentioned above, plus a few more, so as to outline your goals effectively. Setting goals requires hard work and commitment, according to the smartcompany.com.au website.

2. Who?

Even if you do set your own goals, you’ll probably require someone else's help in order to accomplish them. Identify these people.

- A mentor may be needed (someone who has already achieved success and is able to provide advice). Building a relationship with such a person can help you achieve your goals much faster.

- You may need someone with connections who can help you quickly to build a network of contacts.

- The cooperation of certain people will be crucial especially if the achievement of one's goals also requires activity from someone else. In such a case, deploy your skills of persuasion.

3. When?

You need to set a time scale. Set yourself a deadline for completion. That will help you identify the work which needs to be done to get there. If your goals don’t have time frames, you don’t know what has priority at any given moment. Also set checkpoints for individual steps during the journey. This allows you to check your progress and can be much more effective than merely setting a final date.

4. Where?

You need to consider where you are in life in terms of your own perspectives. Occasionally all of us must reflect on where we currently are, what we're doing and where we are heading. And where will your goal take you once you have achieved it? It’s always important to be prepared for what comes next.

-jk-

Article source SmartCompany - Australian website for managers and entrepreneurs
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