Incredible Suggestions On The Fundamental Importance Of Goal Setting

March 14, 2010

When it comes to time management skills, your first reaction might be to think about how you can really focus for a period of time to get a certain task done and to replicate that philosophy. This might well be the essence of time management, but essentially you are missing the entire point. In truth, time management should go hand-in-hand with goal setting. Simply, you need to set goals, large ones and small, before you try and apply any time management techniques. You will be far more successful, effective and productive if you pursue goals and consequently make the right decisions as you are doing this.

Bear in mind that your personal goals must be achievable, tangible and credible. Don’t gloss over this, as goal setting should not be taken lightly. If you do not have a purpose ahead, life will be haphazard and ineffectual and you will have no real drive or spark. Many people without any real goals or a true purpose suffer from depression and other illnesses. They just cannot seem to make a difference or be successful in anything they try.

As if it’s part of a tradition, the closest that we come to goal setting and thinking about time management is at the end of the calendar year. When this time rolls around, we realise that we may be “one step closer to the grave,” as some miserable observer once pointed out and this kind of motivation focuses our attention for a while. We know how easy it is to break those New Year’s resolutions, but remember that goal setting is not a once per year activity, but must be an ongoing philosophy.

Understand that before you set any goals you must be realistic. If you are not reasonable in setting your goals, then you will be destined to fail without a realistic approach. Many who fall at this stage can end up turning their back on time management and goal setting as a consequence. It’s much better to be realistic, so that your process of betterment is right in front of you and you know you can achieve it.

Remember this acronym – specific, measurable, attainable, rewarding and timely – Smart. All these guidelines must be in place if your goals are going to be achievable and workable and really mean something.

What are your specific goals – write them down. Have a good look at these goals and the reasoning behind them, all the time asking yourself if you are being realistic as you set them. Essentially, you must be able to measure the path that you will take as you go towards that goal. What specific criteria will determine whether you are advancing or not? Without measurement, the whole program will fall apart. We have already discussed the need for you to be realistic and to set attainable goals. Don’t misconstrue this as saying that you have to have lower goals, as you will always have a challenge to inspire you. How can you reward yourself when you reach your goal? Again, it’s important to have a clear visualisation of this and promise yourself a prize. It’s a good idea to print out a picture of the reward and put it in a prominent place.

With effective goals in mind, you must be focused and must be willing to engage in productive work. Thankfully, time management software can help you to do just this. Due to advances in technology, online time management has become the product of choice for really productive people, those who are not used to leaving anything to chance. With time tracking software you can readily see if you’re allocating the appropriate amount of time, the time that you promised yourself as you move toward that primary goal.

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Posted by Guest Post | Filed Under **Blogs**, **Business**, **Internet**, **Media**, **Motivate**, **eBusiness**, Development, Everything Else, Technology

Comments

ABClarke

This is a good introduction to important factors in goal setting - being realistic, visualizing your result, and tracking your progress. Two other important points. First, when setting goals, be conscious of how challenging it is to admit what you really want. In many ways we are socialized to deny what we truly want. Good goals reflect our own true priorities. Second, a sound action plan -- describing the steps between the starting point and the goal in question -- provides excellent support to time management software in helping achieve goals.
Best,
Anne Clarke