Kelly McPherson CFT, CPT, CES
I am often asked how in the world I get so much done in such a short amount of time without going completely crazy. It's not because I have more time in the day or more energy than the rest, it is because I have long since developed the skill of making and planning goals. For me, once a goal is set and a plan is made to complete it, it just follows that is the direction that I will be going. I may not complete all of my plans, but having a few set means that I will be completing at least a few. Because of the method that I use to set my goals, completing just a few means that I have accomplished something significant and made serious improvements to my life.
Goals are vital to improvement. I have heard it said many times that if we don't know where we are going, then than is exactly where we are going to get. Some people are afraid of setting goals. Somehow it means that they will be a failure if they don't succeed. I say don't be afraid of failure. A good friend of mine told me once that "Nothing is ever a failure, if you learn something from the experience." So, you didn't make it. Did you learn something? Congratulations! Pick yourself up and move forward.
Below is my process for setting goals. It works for me. It may not work for you. Maybe parts of it will. I follow this process at least once a year, usually around New Years. I like to take a retreat to complete it. I would love to say that I go somewhere exotic by myself and just think about things, but with 5 kids, it is usually just in my bedroom with the door locked. Sometimes it takes several days to complete as I take breaks to think about a particular problem that I am trying to solve. Sometimes it is quick and the plans come easily. Whatever the case, it is important to give ample time for thought and planning.
Step one: Divide your live into sections. What roles do I play in my life? For me, mother, wife, housekeeper, education, financial, business, etc. I write down a list of all the different roles that I play in my life on a piece of paper or on a spreadsheet in my computer. Be complete in this. It might surprise you how many different hats you wear during the day.
Step two: What was good? Write down all the of the good things that you have done with each role.
Step three: What was not good? Yes, it is important to find the places where you could improve. Remember. Just because some areas of your live are not going horribly wrong, does not mean that they couldn't use improvement.
Step four: Brainstorm ideas to make things better. This is important. Write down ALL ideas. It doesn't matter how crazy or unfeasible. Those kids of judgments will come later. Just write down anything that could be done to make that particular area of your life better or get you closer to a long term goal. Sometimes it helps to do this part with a friend. Often they can come up with ideas that you would never have thought of.
Step five: Pick one. Pick one idea from the list that would make the most difference if you completed it.
Step six: Decide. Decide if the idea that you have picked is even possible. If it isn't feasible, pick the next possible idea. It is important to find an idea that will not only have a powerful effect in your life, but also be actually possible.
Step seven: Make a plan. Once you have an idea, it is just an idea until you have a plan. Once you have a plan of action, it becomes a goal. Write down step by step what it is you need to do to complete that goal.
Step eight: Action. Put your plan into action. Even the best laid plans are completely worthless if you do nothing about them. Get moving!
Ok, so there you have it. Like I said, this may not work for you. If it doesn't, keep trying. Find something that does. The human ability to make and complete goals is one thing that sets us apart from the rest of the animal kingdom. It is what propels our progression and innovation. It is what takes us from where we are to a better life. I know that I am looking forward to a better life in the coming months. I am hoping that you are too!