The Power of Goals

[RoJoHen]

Okay, as part of my newfound optimism and positivity, I have discovered the importance of having goals. This is always the time of year when people create goals for themselves (i.e. New Year's Resolutions), but I've been finding that smaller, short-term goals can be a lot more effective. Big goals are good, but they can be overwhelming, and they can often be broken down into much smaller, more-achievable goals. I've developed a kind of "one week at a time" mentality; it makes life a lot more manageable.

So, what are you goals? Where do you want to be a year from now? What smaller things can you do to help you get there? Where do you want to be at the end of the month? At the end of the week?

 

[Me-Ike]

I am on my first vacation in a very long time so my most immediate goal is to finish Batman Arkham Asylum within the week. And maybe eat something in between, but I am trying not to pressure myself too much.

Real goals would be to rock the new job starting on the first. Quite a big goal with many unknown factors, so I won't plan much further ahead. Other goals will come with that.

I like the idea, though. Smaller goals also help you to not fall into this big hole of nothingness when you have accomplished something long-term.

 

[Jetfire]

I've had this goal of becoming a millionaire the past 2 years...I am still working on it.

 

[RoJoHen]

I've had this goal of becoming a millionaire the past 2 years...I am still working on it.

And what small goals have you set for yourself to help accomplish this large goal?

 

[Kemaiku]

Back at the start of 2009 a friend posted their "101 Challenge", it's a list of '101 goals in 1001 days', or roughly January 1st 2009 to September 29th 2011.

I made up my own list and got quite a lot of it done, so this year I drew up a second one, going on into 2014 of another set of goals. It's quite satisfying seeing them neatly set out and being able to tick them off.

 

[Jetfire]

I've had this goal of becoming a millionaire the past 2 years...I am still working on it.

And what small goals have you set for yourself to help accomplish this large goal?

I am still trying to figure those out.

 

[Deranged Nasat]

My goal is an odd one, as it doesn't lend itself to any real, quantitative results. But ever since my epiphany a few months back, I've been continuing to guide myself into a healthier frame of mind by dealing with my remaining baggage. Everyone has some, of course, but I've been doing a cleanout to ensure the levels are what they should be. My goal is an ongoing one, really, and it's just to keep working through things and aiming for a psychological or spiritual state that will bring me peace and self-acceptance. I thought for a long time that such a goal was out of reach, but I finally saw the folly in such thinking and I now find it's not too far away at all. I'm much, much happier.

My short-term goal each day is to live up to the standards I set by keeping myself in a productive, stable and self-respecting frame of mind. Sometimes I fail. I failed today, actually, by getting myself a bit stressed earlier and not catching and defusing the emotion before it took over (in fairness, it came on my suddenly). I don't let it bother me - if I fail on a given day I just seek to learn from the experience and move on. And each day I do believe I get closer to what I want to be. I have a few steps back, but far more forward.

It may not be a material goal, or one that actually offers measurable results, but it does inspire me.

 

[RoJoHen]

^I think that is a GREAT goal! These things don't need to be tangible in order to be meaningful. I think the most important thing is to constantly be aware of your goals so that you are actively trying to achieve them. And if you get tripped up from time to time, it's important to never dwell on your failures. Simply accept them and move on.

 

[Deranged Nasat]

^I think that is a GREAT goal! These things don't need to be tangible in order to be meaningful. I think the most important thing is to constantly be aware of your goals so that you are actively trying to achieve them. And if you get tripped up from time to time, it's important to never dwell on your failures. Simply accept them and move on.

It took me a long time to understand that. But I suppose it doesn't matter how long it takes as long as you make the journey.

 

[Timby]

Okay, as part of my newfound optimism and positivity, I have discovered the importance of having goals. This is always the time of year when people create goals for themselves (i.e. New Year's Resolutions), but I've been finding that smaller, short-term goals can be a lot more effective. Big goals are good, but they can be overwhelming, and they can often be broken down into much smaller, more-achievable goals. I've developed a kind of "one week at a time" mentality; it makes life a lot more manageable.

For me, it's a day at a time. I'll deal with today on today's terms, and let tomorrow come on its own. It can wait until the next turn of the sun.

In any event, be it daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, lifetime, I just always apply the SMART framework to my goals -- specific, measurable, attainable, reasonable and timely. Beyond that, I follow the words of a friend of mine: "Be yourself, improve yourself."