Success is a result of hard work, consistency, planning, discipline and clear direction. The quote that says “Rome wasn’t built in a day” is directed at success. Everyone wants to achieve success but how many people are willing to put in the work. This is where goal setting and discipline becomes important. You have to have a roadmap to put your vision into play. This will allow you have a timeline and focus on where you’re going. It will sharpen your mind, motivate you and allow you track your every step. This will also give you a sense of purpose which would allow you quantify your self fulfillment.
Success is self proclaimed, it differs for each person based on each person’s sense of fulfillment. It could mean starting a business for some, it could be getting a good paying job for some and it could mean building a family for some. Each person has their own fulfillment quota. Your vision will be tailored to your goals so it aligns with your values and not because of societal pressure
Goal Setting Framework
SMART Framework Approach
This is a very popular and effective framework and I highly recommend it. It is used in setting goals. SMART is the acronym for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
- Specific: Instead of saying “I want to do this,” define it clearly: “I want to do this in a month.”
- Measurable: Attach milestones so that your progress can be tracked.
- Achievable: Make sure your goals are realistic and achievable
- Relevant: Align your goals with your overall vision of success.
- Time-bound: Set a timeline for your goals so as to maintain urgency and focus.
Steps to Take To Set Goals For Success
- Write Down Your Goals
Writing down your goals marks the beginning of your progress. This puts a definite action on it and also serves as a reminder for you to get up and work towards it. Attach to it a reminder so it can keep you on your toes and let you know your progress. - Allow Flexibility
Give yourself some wiggle room so you don’t get frustrated when it all seems rigid, you’re not a robot, if your approach doesn’t work, you re strategize, your flexibility would allow you take a breather and analyze why it isn’t working and then set out on a new strategy without betting burnt out - Accountability
You can get yourself an accountability partner. Someone who is focused, disciplined and capable of checking you and keeping you on your toes just to check your progress, question you about your vision, your mental health and also look out for you. This will enable you to keep focus and disciplined and if it isn’t working out, you would have an outside fresh input on how to re-strategize and get your goals achieved.
Setting goals is not just by creating a list detailing what you have to do to achieve success. Its about putting in the work that would shape your vision, with discipline. Goals provide you with the the necessary motivation and direction to take but it all depends on you. When you write down what you want to achieve, break it down, use the scale of preference to break it down and start from the small ones while you build up to the bigger ones. The world is your oyster. Start today, start small.
