6 Useful Tips on Setting Goals and Priorities - Are You Ready to Set Goals You'll Achieve?

Goals are easy, right? After all, you’ve set them all your life. Everyone sets goals. What could be so hard about it?

You might be reading this because this time you are determined to set goals that you will achieve… you just need a little help, right?

Here are 6 useful tips on setting goals and priorities.

Is your goal realistic? Is it too easy, too hard?

Do you see an area where you might “step it up”? Can you be more aggressive with your goal? Is it really challenging enough and will it be a stretch for you?

Is there a good life balance? Will the time spent achieving your goal cause you to sacrifice important areas of your life? Is it worth it?

Is your goal a “no kidding” goal? Are you really committed to achieving this goal?

What areas of concern do you have? Do you see areas where you might fall back on old paradigms? Will old pre-conceived assumptions and expectations around achieving your goal come up? Can you handle it?

Do you have a “SMART Goal”? Check your goal against the following SMART criteria:

Specific: Your goal should be specific, unambiguous and written so that anyone can read it & have a clear picture of what you are going to accomplish.

Measurable: Your goal should be measurable and/or have a final outcome so you can determine if it has been achieved.

Attainable: It must be possible to attain the goal in the timeframe stated.

Risky: Your goal should be risky and must be a stretch for you.

Time Limit: Giving a time limit to achieving your goal creates urgency and prevents you from stating open-ended goals.

So, are you ready to start setting goals now? Wrong! You’ve only just begun. This is a great start but you’ve only scratched the surface by reading this. Spend some time applying these tips to your goal. Invest in yourself. And, we wish you the best success in achieving your goals.

Are you willing to accept a challenge? Follow these links!

Setting Goals You Can Achieve

Setting SMART Goals

Testing Your Goals Before You Put Them in Action

What goals are you working on right now? Where do you find the biggest challenge in completing your goals? Please leave us a comment; we would love to hear from you!

Theresa Bradley-Banta, co-creator of www.bigfishtopdogs.com, is a musician, award winning graphic artist, mentor, coach, blogger, and owner of multiple businesses. You can follow her on twitter @bigfishtopdogs.

{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }

Julie Broad: I think goals are really important but I also think it’s important to make sure you select goals that serve you. In other words … get to the heart of WHY you want to achieve something.

If you have a powerful WHY then goal setting and more importantly goal achieving will be much easier!!

Love the SMART approach!!

bigfishtopdogs: Hi Julie –

You are absolutely right.

I set goals with my husband, family and team members in all areas of life; money, business, lifestyle, entertainment, dreams, travel, education, books to read, charitable contributions, volunteering, eliminating stress, family pleasures… the list is fluid.

And in all of these areas you can have powerful “whys”.

The act of achieving a little goal can lead to big wins with larger, more challenging goals.

Thanks for your valuable contribution to this topic.