Confused About Goals!!!

A very few of us have been taught about the importance of goals.  In fact a number of us started to learn about goals sometime during our working life. Till date a lot us are still confused about goals and some of us are still learning how to set goals.

In a number of cases we are too scared to set goals as we believe we will fail. So, we avoid setting goals as they are certain pay-offs we achieve by not setting goals. We as humans love to be in our comfort zone and will find any justification or excuse for not achieving them.

Most of us believe when we are unable to achieve our goal/goals it is the end of our existence or that we are good for nothing. Our focus is so much on the negative that we forget about all the good that has happened and all the good that already exists.  We label ourself's as a failure rather then viewing the situation as a feedback. 

A feedback which could mean that we need re-evaluate our goal, think of taking smaller steps towards the goal, review carefully what resources are required, define realistic timelines (realistic to yourself) or plainly work towards a more inspiring goal.  

Everyone has their own pace and learning curve to reach to a goal. For example for one person to learn how to ride a bicycle is a matter of few hours and for another it could be a matter of days or even years. This simply means everyone has set their own limitations and will work around these limitations to get to the outcome. When we overcome these limitations we succeed.

When looking at goals we have need to think on the following basis and it is entirely up to you take up what relates to you the most:

SMART Goals

• S = Specific
• M = Measurable 
• A = Attainable
• R = Realistic
• T = Timely 

SPIRIT Goals

• S = Specific
• P = Prizes (reward yourself)
• I   = Individual (something you want)
• R = Review (on a regular basis)
• I   = Inspiring
• T  = Timely

SMARTER Goals

• S = Specific
• M = Measurable
• A = Attainable
• R = Realistic
• T = Timely
• E = Enthusiasm 
• R = Rewarding

HARD Goals

• H = Heartfelt
• A = Aspiring/Animated
• R = Required
• D = Dynamic/Difficult