1. SPECIFIC Goals have to be specific if they are to be effective. Your goal has to be described with as much detail as possible. You have to be specific or your goal may be accomplished! What I mean by this is that you may be in danger of accomplishing a vague goal. For example, if your goal is to make more money next year, your goal will be accomplished if you make $.01 more than you made last year. Making one penny more than last year is not what you had in mind, however, a vague goal like “I want to make more money” is dangerous because it can be accomplished!
2. MEASURABLE Describe each goal in terms that can be evaluated. Make sure you can measure you goal. In other words, you have to be able to gauge your goals against some constant. Measuring your goals is an important step effective goal setting.
3. CHALLENGING The goal must require energy and discipline to accomplish. If you set your goals to low, there is nothing to accomplish. For example, setting the goal “I want to go outside today” requires little to no energy or discipline to accomplish. Due to this fact, your subconscious mind will not receive any training from this “goal.”
4. REALISTIC Your goals must be capable of achievement. Setting unrealistic goals provides no benefits for yourself or your mind.
5. TIMING You must set a specific time reference for completion of your goals. Setting a time frame creates a sense of urgency in your mind. This in turn will help drive and motivate you to accomplish your goals. If you have a long-term goal, creating interim goals along the way will help preserve the sense of urgency.
6. WRITTEN Your goals must be written down. Writing down your goals creates a sense of commitment in your mind. Commitment means that you will stick with your goals and thus have a better chance of accomplishment.
REMEMBER: Writing down specific, measurable, challenging, realistic, and timed goals is only the first step!
Source: Free Articles