If setting and achieving goals is like cooking a meal, then we need to be talking about recipes, ingredients and a menu book that will guide us all the way, even to eating poise. On the contrary, some technical and analytical know-how are necessary for effective goal setting and actualization.
Almost every one has a goal, but only few set their goals-maybe I should say; set their goals right, whether consciously or by chance, and only few achieve theirs. To be frank, the steps below (i.e. laws) will not automatically make you an achiever of goals, they will help guide you, and drive you to be an achiever- but of course, if only you allow them.
Setting of goals is applicable in every area of life as long as it involves making decisions. Whether you want to execute a project, marry a wife, get a degree or be a success in life (generally), then you have to check out these laws.
Ø LAW OF PURPOSE (Self Assessment).
‘What will you like to become when you grow up?’ Do you remember the answer you used to give to that question when you were younger (especially when you were a kid)? Are you anywhere near it now? It is of no doubt that most people don’t end up fulfilling their child-hood dreams. Most of us (especially males) used to say we’d like to become a pilot, possibly because we get fascinated when we see airplanes fly across our roofs or because we were told that pilots are very wealthy people. Have you ever wondered why it didn’t turn out the way we used to dream.
To effectively set goals, you need to know who you are, what you have, and what you need. Have you ever asked yourself; why am I here? And where am I going from here? Let me help you a little: A country needs to ask herself why she wants to participate in a competition, for example, World cup. Possible answers: fun, record, business, prestige, glory. An evaluation of purpose with respect to an understanding of personality -of yourself and those around you- will help you not to run (let alone walk) in the wrong direction.
Ø LAW OF VISION (Foresight).
Effective setting of goals require, setting of right goals. Maybe when you were eight years old, you wanted to be a medical doctor in the future, now you are eighteen years old and you are in the humanities. That’s pardonable because you were only eight when you developed your desire. A lot has changed since then, and now you are eighteen (an adult) so I can throw these questions at you: Why set goals or develop desires when you don’t have a clear cut direction? Why run if you are running in the wrong direction? Your vision separates you from those with whom you share the same mission. Vision is the embodiment and universal set of goals. It is the reason you want to set and actualize goals. Why will someone alight at a bus stop leaving others in the bus? Did you say he forgot something? Maybe, but I say vision. We are not all going to the same place; get a vision in line with your purpose.
Ø LAW OF STRATEGY (Creating a Map).
If you don’t know where you are going you can take ANYBODY along with you -of course who does not know where he is going. Have you heard of strategic management? Why do two people set out on a course and one achieves better than the other. Why do a hundred students get into a department and only five get the first class? Did you say they are brilliant? I say they are smart (I’m sure we are not saying the same thing). They know their strength and they managed it effectively. You don’t have to do what everyone is doing the way everyone is doing it. Strategic management requires the trio of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. It requires asking and answering questions. For instance, will you go to the bus stop if you want to travel by air? You think that is weird, but alas! Many people do ‘this’ ignorantly. Which airport will you go to; local or international; which airline and why (cost? and service rendered?) what time will you and why will you at that time. You see it involves a lot of how, where, when, what. I wish I could help you set your goals right now, but let me give you some tips:-
· Ask relevant and necessary questions.
· Find answers to these questions.
· Write down realistic ways (from your questions and answers) by which you want to get to the end point.
· Break them down into short term, medium term, and long term goals ( the length of this terms are with respect to the length of your vision)
· Put the write up where it is easily accessible to your eyes.
· Keep at the back of your mind that these tips are guidelines not magic (funny but true).
Ø LAW OF FOCUS (Driving Your Way Forward).
Do you watch football or tennis or any sport? Do you know there is always a score board that keeps record of scores? It is the same with life. Life has its score board. But here is my point: no player in his right senses will be playing with his gaze fixed on the score board. In life you don’t focus on the goal, you focus on the drive. The drive is what produces the goal.
Every football team has a coach who designs the strategy (drive) to which the player will respond; while on the pitch of life, you need to focus your attention on your drive and the results will follow. Focusing on your goal won’t produce the goal; rather, it will cause distraction. For instance if your goal is a good marriage, it wont come by desiring it, or saying it, or acting it, rather it will come by improving on yourself, making sacrifices, learning and relearning, then your desire will start surfacing like a tree in its prime, till it produces the fruits you desire.
The concluding steps to effective setting and actualization of goals will be posted soon. Meanwhile, I will like to hear from you (comments, questions etc.). Remember, you and I are on a mission to change our world by changing our self, so that we can make maximum impact.
