Sunday, July 7, 2013

Studying Tips: 5 Steps To Goal Setting Success

By Lachlan Haynes


Success is something we all want in life. From the time we enter young adulthood, we always want to be successful in life, whether it be in our study, career, financial situation, or relationships. Success cannot be achieved, however, by simply wishing it! The first step to success is to set out the goals you want to achieve. But setting a goal and achieving it are two completely different things. To achieve a goal which you have set you need to (1) know exactly what it is that you want to achieve, (2) invest yourself emotionally in your goal, and (3) have a set modus operandi for achieving your goal. These are the three keys to setting goals which you will actually achieve, and this is what sets your goal apart from fluff-filled fantasies which may not come true. Below are 5 methods which have been proved over time to help get you over the crossing line to achieve your goals!

1. Know exactly what you want. The first plan of action in achieving your goal is to actually know what it is! It is not as simple as "I want to lose weight", you must define your goal, make it realistic, and breathe life into it. This is how you separate a true goal from a pipe dream. You need to know exactly what your desired end result will be and how it will look when you get there.

Do you want to make $10,000 profit in your business this year? Do you want to save up $5,000 each year to buy a new Mercedes? Do you want to pay off your mortgage within the next 3 years? The more specific you are with your goals, the easier it is to target them and make them work for you. Simply dreaming that "one day" you will pay off your mortgage, buy a flashy new Mercedes, or make some profit on your business, will not help you in envisioning and achieving your goals. Sometimes, success for a person may be the feeling of being able to achieve these goals, not necessarily the object itself. That's perfectly fine - it doesn't matter what your goals are, as long as you, the goal setter, are mentally clear about what it is you want, because then that's the only way you can focus and make it work.

2. Be willing to pay the "entry fee". Success takes dedicated planning and effort. In a way it's like building a house. In the beginning all you have is a rough concept. Then you develop a complete set of plans - and you immediately move closer to success. The same is true of creating a better lifestyle, or to get better grades. But there's always an "entry fee" to be paid for success.

If your goal is paying off your mortgage in 3 years, then that means having to forego having dinner out every weekend. If your goal is to top your guitar class, it means spending more time practicing and less time socializing. This is the "full glass" concept - if you have a set routine and a set number of activities in your life which are keeping you busy, then there's no room for anything more. Make the time for yourself so that you can achieve your goals.

3. Focus on your goal. In order to achieve your goal you must make it a priority to focus on it every day. I am sure you have heard the phrase, "old habits die hard", and it is said for good reason. Old mental habits are hard to break and without constant and clear mental focus on your goal they can easily overwhelm and take over. If you find yourself about to fall into your old habits, stop and make a clear mental note of what you want, how what you are about to do does not help your goal, make the correct action, and move on. With this daily repetitive action and focus, you will be that much closer to breaking your old habits and making room for the new goals in your life.

It's understandable that in the daily grind of life, our goals can sometimes take a back seat. But in order to truly achieve a goal, you must make a conscious effort for life to not get in the way! Always prioritize your goals and your success!

4. Be passionate. Studies have shown that passion can be a key tool in your success. This is because intense desire and passion for reaching your goal can easily override the old "failure messages" we are all used to that are stored in our brain. With firm objectives and passion you can overcome these messages and create new ones. What's more, having passion for your goal will tie into all aspects of your life and success. Your passion will carry you through any obstacles in your way and will help you stay focused every day.

5. Take consistent action. This is the most intuitive but probably the most difficult step. You can sit and make goals and make a plan to achieve your goal, but unless you actually take action towards achieving your goals, it won't happen! The key is to take one small action after another - but take action you must! If you want to get an A+ in your Geography paper, then learn a new geographical term every day. Eventually, you will have mastered enough knowledge to be well on your way to getting that A+. The fruits of your labor will always pay off. Wishing for things to happen will not make them happen!

You can create whatever you want in life. The secret is to determine exactly what you want, then pursue it passionately. But remember - in the end, only action counts! You can't just dream about it! You have to do it!




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