Setting Realistic Goals By Michael Russell
Many people would like to alter their lifestyle or change their circumstances. Various reasons prevent them from doing so but most of these reasons are due to factors which can be overcome. Whatever circumstances most people find themselves in they can, if they want, change them. But they will not make that change if they think they can't. Nothing is achieved without, at first, being 'thought through'. The thought process leads to confronting situations people would like to alter and what they would like to replace them with. The same logic applies to any circumstances, be they personal, financial, concerning employment, family relationships or any other condition, possibly excluding health. Let us look at what thinking will achieve. To simplify matters we will examine a person who feels he/she could get a better and more lucrative job.
The first realistic thoughts should be concentrated on: What would they prefer to do instead? Being realistic is important. As the saying goes, 'You must walk before you can run'. When people have decided what they want the next step is to examine how they are going to achieve that aim. We now enter the area of 'Goal Setting'. The process has already been started with the 'desire' and 'thinking' stage, but now it becomes far more important, interesting and achievable.
This is where a Goal Setting path/log must be implemented, written down and monitored daily.
We will use the example of an assistant in a Supermarket who would like to further his/her career but doesn't know where to begin. He or she is working at a 'comfort level' but would like to do better. Now is the time to start Goal Setting. The assistant would like to become a supervisor, the first goal. To achieve that goal the assistant must study what responsibilities and duties the supervisor has. He/she must then enter the requirements they need into the log and start to study what is necessary to obtain those skills. No matter what it takes, (further education, company courses, watching supervisors work or additional information about the job) you must stay focused on your goals to achieve that first goal you have set for yourself.
After a few months this person has now been promoted to Supervisor. Congratulations. He/she has achieved that first goal. The time has come to start the process all over again, if that is what the person wants and why not? They have already achieved the first goal, so why not go further?
By keeping your log for reference purposes you can then update it for your next Goal. This time you want to set a more difficult goal. You would like to be a Departmental Manager within the Supermarket. This is a more senior position for which additional skills and knowledge will be required.
In obtaining the first goal the experience needed will help in setting a path to the second one. This is where caution becomes important. To go from Supervisor to Departmental Manager may be too big a step, so, whilst still keeping the new goal as the aim, set a new objective in order to become an Assistant Departmental Manager. Follow the same procedure which led to promotion as Supervisor, working diligently and efficiently and learning all you can, not only about the Assistant Manager's job but also what the Departmental Manager is doing. Don't lose sight of your goal, make notes in your log, listen to advice and stay focused.
You can now see the importance, effectiveness and motivation of Goal Setting. It regularly gives people the opportunity of promotions for positions which they never thought they could achieve.
Set out your Goals in small steps, monitor your progress regularly, keep focused and, if you wish, raise your standards by setting new, higher Goals.
This formula will work in most situations, not only in employment. The situations need to be 'Thought Through' objectively and Goals should be set realistically.
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