Have you ever marveled at how people do what seems impossible to you? Maybe they climbed a mountain. Or quit their job to launch their own business.
You can do it too. It’s just about setting the right goals.
What is it that gets you out of bed every morning? Most of us are keen to begin our days because we want to achieve our goals. In fact, we take active steps in goal setting throughout our lives.
What Is The Goal-Setting Process?
A goal-setting process can be boiled down to this statement—identifying what you wish to accomplish and setting up measurable timelines that will help you achieve it.
Remember, the process of setting goals will be different for every individual. Each person’s values, lifestyle, and definition of success is unique. When you set out to define your goal-setting process, it’s important to ask yourself, “What do I want to achieve?”.
There is no harm in being inspired by others. But the most important aspect of setting goals is looking inwards. Understand who you are and what you really want. This will help you set goals that you are truly motivated to achieve.
Importance Of Setting Goals
Before you take the steps in goal setting, you must recognize the importance of the process of setting goals and choosing your path. Everybody knows that the goal-setting process improves professional growth and shapes career paths.
However, goals shape your personal development as well. They help you grow into a better version of yourself. It is easy to dream. But you need to focus on your dreams and work towards them.
This is where the importance of the goal-setting process lies. A well-planned goal makes you accountable to your own self. This is how the process of setting goals and choosing your path in life incentivizes you to keep pursuing your dreams.
What Are The Steps In Goal Setting?
In order to start working on an actionable goal, follow these goal-setting process steps:
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Write it down:
This is one of the crucial goal-setting process steps. Writing your goals brings motivation and focus to the process of setting goals and choosing how you want to use your energy.
Some people make “bucket lists” of everything they want to do in life. Others make more time-bound lists, such as goals for the year or goals to reach before they hit a milestone.
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Make it measurable:
The next steps in goal setting involve tracking and marking your progress. The importance of having a yardstick to measure progress cannot be overstated. A long-term goal should be broken down into smaller milestones. Keep track of your progress so you know how far you have come and how much is left to do.
Maintaining a goal-setting process steps completion worksheet can be helpful. Others use apps to track their goals.
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Identify obstacles:
The goal-setting process steps are incomplete without noting obstacles. They’re inevitable in the process of setting goals and choosing your path. Don’t ignore the obstacles. Don’t let them get the better of you. Identify your obstacles and work towards overcoming them.
You can identify the obstacles by talking to mentors and others who have successfully achieved what you dream to do. They will be able to tell you what obstacles to look out for and how to overcome them.
What Are The Steps In Goal Setting In Management?
The goal-setting process can be used for personal or professional goals. The steps in goal-setting in management are critical because they increase the overall effectiveness of the organization.
By taking careful steps in goal-setting, organizations can help their employees work towards achieving organizational goals. Managers should encourage their employees to get actively involved in the process and of setting goals and choosing their priorities.
The common steps in goal setting in management can be classified into three major types:
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Strategic:
These steps in goal setting are meant to motivate top management.
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Tactical:
These steps in goal setting are meant to boost the focus of middle managers.
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Operational:
These steps in goal setting are meant to tackle short-term issues of lower-level managers.
Conclusion
The goal-setting process is an important part of one’s personal as well as professional development. Every journey has its unique set of challenges and it can get exhausting after a point.
Don’t worry if you face a setback or feel demotivated. Follow your plan and you are bound to reach your goal. The process of goal setting gains momentum when you discuss your goals with your friends, family, and confidants.
Harappa Education’s Leading Self course teaches you how to take charge of your growth and recognize obstacles, which are also known as interferences. The Pursuing Personal Leadership module will help you differentiate between the two major types of interferences—internal and external. Since internal interferences often hinder the goal-setting process steps, you’ll learn how to navigate them using the Performance Equation framework. Sign up for the course today to learn to set and achieve goals!
Explore topics such as Goal Setting, Types of Goals, SMART Goals, How to Set Goals in Life & Personal Goals from our Harappa Diaries section and lead on a path of self-development.