now, no signup required!
When we were in school, we set goals for which university, program or course we wanted to pursue. These goals helped us create an action plan for the future.
Setting realistic goals is part of effective goal-setting. Not only do you get to envision where you want to be but also establish how you want to get there.
How To Define A Realistic Goal
Realistic goals are clearly defined goals that answer questions like,
-
What do I want to achieve?
-
How do I want to achieve it?
-
When do I want to achieve it?
Simply saying you want to get a job isn’t a realistic goal. But if you tell yourself you want to get a job in X organization by the end of the year, you have a much better chance at achieving your goal.
Many of us set unrealistic goals, the most common example being our new year’s resolutions. Joining the gym, learning how to drive a car or saving more money are concrete goals only if you define the how and when. What’s more, you actually have to put in the right amount of work.
How To Fulfill Your Dreams
The ability to fulfill your dreams comes with a responsibility to be true to yourself. First, ask yourself if what you think you want is truly what you want. A way to make the process easier is by listening to yourself. Often, we already know what we want but internal and external barriers like lack of confidence, unrealistic expectations and complex cultural norms stop us from going after it. It’s easier to pursue dreams when you give yourself the time and space to define your goals.
Once you’ve established that, you can move on to finding your purpose. Your purpose is what drives you to set realistic goals. For instance, if you want to help people, you can either start a crowdfunded initiative, start your own organization or run a social media campaign. Your goal then is initiating these projects while your purpose is to give back to society.
How To Set Realistic Goals
Setting realistic goals is the first step in effective goal-setting. An achievable goal is anything you can put your mind to and make real, without depending on factors beyond your reach. If you follow this rule, there’s a very real chance you’ll be able to accomplish what you set out to do. Be it getting into a university, getting a new job or starting your own business. You may even want to write a bestselling novel! All of these are examples of realistic goals.
Here’s how you can set realistic goals for yourself:
-
Understand Your Motivations
You have to understand what motivates you to identify your goals. You can do that by focusing on activities that make you happy or you find exciting. For instance, you may enjoy teaching others, which can drive you to pursue education as your goal. If you enjoy creating things, your goal can be to master knitting, painting or even starting your YouTube channel.
-
Find Your Purpose
Finding your purpose requires three things: passion, strengths and values. The Three Elements of Purpose framework was developed by National Geographic fellow Dan Buettner who believes your passion, strengths and what you value can help you arrive at your purpose. Your passion is what you love to do, things that interest you and give you joy. Your strengths are things you’re good at. Your values are what you stand for or believe in. (https://www.caprinow.edu/)
-
Write Down Your Goals
It’s a great idea to visualize your goals whenever you can. Either write them down somewhere or create a vision board where you can see what you’re working toward. It can even act as a reminder to keep going—especially when you’re feeling defeated or discouraged.
-
Talk To A Mentor
Talking to someone you admire or trust will help you find the right direction when you’re feeling lost. A mentor can give you advice during a difficult time. You can also lean on people in your life when you don’t know the next step. It’s okay to rely on others, sometimes they can even tell you things about yourself you didn’t know.
-
Take Action
Finally, always follow up and take action. Goals are just goals until you act on them. Start something when you’re ready and have the right resources. If you want to be a writer, start your own blog or set up an online shop to sell your craft! Examples of realistic goals are infinite simply because if you’ve done it right, your goal should be achievable as long as you put in the effort.
Goal-setting is a long process that requires constant attention and dedication. You can achieve your goals, arrive at your purpose and do the work if you’re focused on your journey.
Discover Your Purpose With Harappa
Harappa’s Discovering Purpose course will teach you how to find your life purpose. With frameworks like the Three Elements Of Purpose, you can identify your passions and motivations. Finding fulfillment in what you do adds meaning to your life. With effective goal-setting, you can be well on your way to pursuing your dreams.
Explore topics such as What is Gratitude, The Importance of Expressing Gratitude, How To Practice Gratitude & Mindfulness from Harappa Education and find your purpose in life.
