Women in business know that goals are important but many of us aren’t sure why. We’ve heard that goals should stretch us from where we are now to where we want to be in the future, but we aren’t quite sure how. You’ll want to read these “real-world" answers to basic goal setting questions.
1. Why should I bother to set goals?
That’s a really good question. Goals provide:
- Focus
- Direction
- Motivation
- Purpose
Goals are like road maps toward a positive future. They help you as a woman in business to get from where you are now to where you want to be next month, next year or even five years from now. Goals keep you focused on the possibilities of a positive future. Well written goals should be motivating and compelling enough so you won’t want to give up before “payday.” And finally, goals give you a reason and purpose to keep going forward even when the going gets tough. Goals are like a bright light at the end of a dark tunnel.
2. How do I write goals that are achievable yet stretch my imagination?
I like to say that your goals should stretch you from where you now but not break your spirit. By that I mean, a well-written goal should be able to stretch you beyond your current comfort zone. When you allow yourself to stretch beyond where you are now, a whole new world of possibilities can open up for you.
Going for your goals should motivate you to try new things and yet, they shouldn’t be so challenging as to chip away at your self-esteem and self-confidence. A well-written goal should stretch you but not break you.
If you are new to goal setting, I’ve found this to be a good place to begin:
- Write something you would like to see happen within the next six months.
- Write why you’d like to make this goal reality.
- Write how many ways you can achieve this goal within six months.
- In your minds eye, can you see yourself achieving this goal? Does your goal feel believable? If yes it is believable, why is it? If it is not believable, why not?
I’m going to leave you with the quotation from Geoffry F. Abert I mentioned earlier and see if it has a little more meaning now, "The most important thing about goals is... having one."
