Setting goals: 7 simple tips + 4 methods and examples

Content

Setting goals alone is not enough
Tips when setting goals
Setting goals: methods that work
SMART method
CLEAR method
PURE method
WOOP strategy
Set goals quotes
What other readers have read about it

If you want to achieve something, you have to set goals. Just dreaming and hoping is not enough. Only when you set goals will they become concrete, tangible, and implementable. Unfortunately, many have the sobering experience of setting goals only to then fail to achieve them. The problem is then not missing, but wrongly set goals.

The initial motivation and high spirits because you set yourself goals and want to achieve them quickly lead to frustration and doubts about your own abilities. Fortunately, there is something you can do about it. Because: Setting goals can be learned. If implemented correctly, you increase the chances of actually achieving your goals and achieving the result you had in mind.

We have put together tips, methods and examples for you to help you set and achieve goals ...

Setting goals alone is not enough

One common piece of advice is that if you want to be successful, you need to set goals. Unfortunately, this is only partially correct. Unfortunately, if you set goals, you will not automatically become successful. Rather, everyone probably knows the uncomfortable feeling of taking on something, setting a goal, getting started - and not even getting close to the goal.

There are many examples: You wanted to get started in your job, but you are on the spot. You wanted to take the step into self-employment, but are still employed. In your private life, you finally wanted to do more exercise, but haven't been to the gym for months.

A lack of discipline and motivation often play a role, but just as often do we fail because of wrongly set goals. The advice above should therefore be: If you want to be successful, you have to set goals right. This is how you really get closer to them and you can achieve your goals.

Tips when setting goals

You can learn how to properly set goals. To make it work, we have put together a few tips with which you can set yourself better and more successful goals:

Set specific goals
When you set goals, they need to be as specific as possible. It is not enough if you decide, “I want to be more successful.” Go into detail, state for yourself exactly what this success looks like and what you want to achieve. Only when you set yourself specific goals do you know what you are working towards - and can identify the steps that are necessary to achieve this.
Be realistic
It is tempting to set goals as large as possible. After all, you want to achieve a lot. On the one hand, this can spur you on if you set unrealistic goals, but the effect is reversed. This applies to both the desired result and the time in which you want to achieve a goal.
Find a good reason
In order to set a goal that you actually achieve, you need to understand the reason why you want to set and achieve that exact goal. It is your intrinsic motivation, your drive to keep at it.
Write down your goals
Written goals seem more binding. Therefore, when you set goals, be sure to write them down. Additional effect: every time you read the goal again, you are not only reminded of the goal, but also of what you have to do to achieve it.
Make your goals public
A similar tip: Making it public increases the chances of reaching a set goal. Tell your family, friends or colleagues about it. This also creates commitment and increases motivation because you want to prove it to the others.
Use short and long term goals
Setting goals should involve different periods of time. On the one hand, you need short-term goals that you can achieve and implement in the near future. At the same time, you should also set long-term goals that provide a general direction.
Stay flexible
With all the goals you set, you always need some flexibility. Sometimes you have to adapt the path to the goal, sometimes the entire goal changes over time. Therefore, don't get too rigid when setting goals.

Setting goals: methods that work

There are a few methods that should help set the right goals, which will then be achieved. Here are a few methods you can use to set better goals:

SMART method

Probably the best-known method for setting goals is the so-called SMART method. It is an acronym, the term SMART has different meanings and translations. SMART is often used for:

➠ Specific
➠ Measurable
➠ Attractive
➠ Realistic
➠ Terminated

You should therefore set goals that meet these criteria. Only when you set a goal that completely covers these points have you set a real goal according to the SMART method. As an example: Instead of saying “I want to make more money”, you should set the following goal using the SMART method.

“I want to be paid better for my work. I would like to receive a 10 percent raise in salary within three months. "

CLEAR method

The CLEAR method also follows a similar approach. This is also an acronym, with the letters standing for the following points:

➠ Challenging
➠ Legal (lawful)
➠ Exciting
➠ Agreed (agreed)
➠ Recorded (documented in writing)

With the CLEAR method, you should set yourself a goal that challenges you, inspires you, but which has also been discussed with others who may be involved.

PURE method

Another way of setting better goals - another acronym. The PURE method stands for ...

➠ Postitively Stated (positively formulated)
➠ Understood (understood)
➠ Realistic
➠ Ethical

According to the PURE method, goals should always be formulated positively and, above all, understood down to the last detail. Means: You have to know what exactly defines the goal and what you have to do to achieve it.

WOOP strategy

Lastly, you can use the WOOP strategy if you want to set the right goals. In this method, the acronym does not represent criteria that your goal must meet, but rather points that you must deal with in order to be able to set a good goal.

➠ Wish
➠ Outcome
➠ obstacle
➠ plan (plan)

In the implementation it looks like this, for example: You have a wish and recognize in it a goal that you want to achieve. You imagine the result as precisely and positively as possible. At the same time, you reflect on the obstacles that might stand in your way during implementation. Then, for each possible difficulty, draw up a plan and steps to take to overcome it and achieve your goal.

Set goals quotes

Finally, we have put together a few quotes on the subject of setting goals as inspiration. They can remind you of the importance of setting goals and working to achieve them.

“Only those who know their destination will find the way.” Laotse
“The aimless person suffers his fate, the purposeful person shapes it.” Immanuel Kant
"If you want to lead a happy life, focus on a goal, not on people or objects." Albert Einstein
“People are not lazy. They just don't have goals worth pursuing. ”Anthony Robbins
"As soon as the mind is focused on a goal, many things come towards it." Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"Those who have achieved all their goals have chosen them as too low." Herbert von Karajan
“People always work towards a goal. But if you don't have goals of your own, you work for others. ”Brian Tracy
“The act distinguishes the goal from the dream.” Unknown
"The slowest man who does not lose sight of his goal still walks faster than the one who wanders around without a goal." Gotthold Ephraim Lessing