Six Essentials of Effective Goal Setting

Happy New Year!

If you follow my Facebook Page, you have probably noticed I have been talking about the benefits of being values-focused instead of goals-focused.

But this doesn't mean that I don't think that goals are not important-because they are!

You just need to be setting the right goals, that is, goals that are driven by your values. (If you haven't set your values for 2018, click here to download my Value Setting Workbook.)

So, what are the goals that you want to accomplish in 2018?

Then ask yourself, does the actions that I need to take to achieve this goal align with my values?

Your values are your guide, your North Star. They direct your horsemanship journey (and your life journey). The goals that you set for yourself are the things that you do along the way, the mile markers so to speak. If your goals are not aligned with your values, the mile markers that you pass won't direct you to where you want to go.

For example, if you value Adventure, and your goals lead to spending lots of time in an arena, you probably won’t be as happy with your horsemanship journey as if your goals included trail rides to new places.

So how else can you ensure that you are setting effective goals that you will actually achieve? 

By following these six essentials:

Essential #1-Exciting:
Goals should be exciting, inspiring, motivating. They should stretch you, requiring you to grow in your skills and abilities. They should be challenging, and encourage you to improve as a person and a horsewoman.
 
Essential #2-Specific:
Goals should be specific. What exactly is it that you want to achieve?
 
Essential #3-Measurable:
How will you know when you have achieved your goal?
 
Essential #4-Time-Framed:
Setting a deadline to achieve your goal will help to keep you accountable and on track.
 
Essential #5-Relevant:
Your goal should be relevant to your values and life priorities.  It is also helpful if you can use your Signature Strengths in your pursuit of your goals.
 
Essential #6-Positive:
Goals that are written positively, that are approach goals, that is, goals that require you to approach or pursue something positive, are more powerful than avoidance goals, where you are avoiding something negative.