Goal Setting: How High Achievers Set Goals

Increase the chances of your success by setting your goals the same way high achievers do.

By breaking down your goal into small and actionable steps, you’ll start to feel at ease with the clarity and focus needed in order to accomplish your goal.

In this blog post, you’ll learn the three essential steps you need to know in order to set goals that you will actually accomplish. Most people fail at reaching their goals because they set vague, broad or unrealistic goals.

Research on goal-setting and task performance shows that that more specific and challenging (but realistically doable) goals lead to higher performance 90% of the time.

Learn how to implement the steps you need to set smart goals, how to keep the momentum going and start getting excited about your new goals. So grab a notebook or journal start by marking your calendar for 90 days because that’s how this process begins.

Here’s how set up your goals in a strategic, actionable way.

Step 1: Assess your goals and motives

Be open about what you want to accomplish and why you want to achieve this goal. How will the end result make you a better person or change your situation?

Think about how accomplishing this goal will be beneficial or improve your life. Identify why you want to set this goal because it will serve as a reminder later and keep you motivated when you feel like giving up.

Write out the type of goal you’re setting: personal growth/development, entrepreneurial, relationship, career, financial, business or fitness goal.

Example – Personal Development Goal

“I want to become more proficient in photo editing on Photoshop. Doing so will help me be more confident with my technical skills, build my image portfolio and expand my client list.”

Example – Entrepreneurial Goal

“I want to market myself better and attain new clients for my business. Marketing my services will help my business attract new clients, boost revenue and increase my credibility in my industry.”

Step 2: Be specific

Get crystal clear about what you specifically want to accomplish and identify a timeframe to complete this. People fail their goals because they’re not specific enough. Avoid broad, vague or unrealistic goals.

This step is super important to goal-setting. Getting this part down will make or break your goal and results. Avoid sabotaging your efforts by making sure you have this step nailed down.

The best way to set yourself up for success is to use the SMART checklist when setting goals. Ensure your goals are specific, measureable, achievable, realistic and timely. Write down your goal using this checklist to ensure all SMART goal elements are captured.

Example – Personal Growth Goal

In three months, I will learn how to edit photos using Photoshop. I will dedicate five hours a week to photo editing practice. Learning this skill will help me be more confident with my technical skills, build my image portfolio and expand my client list. 

Step 3: Create plan with actions

Create a plan with specific actions you need to take to accomplish and reach your goals.

Your plan should include 1-3 notable milestones that will serve as a good pulse check that you’re making strides. These milestones will serve as a confidence boost later and will help you stay motivated as you reflect on your accomplishments.

Crossing off items from your action plan will serve as a confidence booster. Reflecting on your accomplishments serve as a self-motivator. Remember to make time to check in on your progress at the end of each week and every month.

An example of a milestone:

I will complete a 78-hour online course about Photoshop editing with a final certificate of completion.

You’ll also want to identify daily or weekly actions and tasks that you need to complete in order ensure you’re staying on course with your goal.

Examples of actions and tasks – Personal Growth Goal – Learn Photoshop

Spend 3 hours per day on weekends learning photoshop for three months.

Watch 1 hour of tutorial videos on YouTube daily.

Practice editing photos on photoshop 30 minutes 3 times a week.

Getting organized

A planner can serve as an effective tool in accomplishing your goals.

Here are my favorite planners that I recommend for helping you crush your goals.

• Passion Planner
• Best Self Co
• Panda Planner
• Scribbles that Matter
• Leuchtturm 1917

What keeps you motivated when you set a goal?