Goal setting: setting up a support structure

Achieving your goals is a job best done with support.

While it's possible to do it alone, a support structure around you is good in several ways.

o Support makes you more accountable for your actions.
o Support feels good when you're down.
o Support allows for excitement-transfer (it's always great to tell your support partner or partners your good news).
o Support is a way of sharing the energy.

The easiest support structure to set up involves having a regular telephone date with a buddy. This is how I set these date sup.

o I ask my support buddy to treat my weekly support call as only that. It's not a social chat. It's not a complaints session. It's purely support.

o I make the commitment to phone my support partner at a particular time on a particular day. A Thursday morning date is very effective, because if I haven't done what I agreed to do, I've still got one and a half days left to accomplish my actions.

o I phone my support buddy and report on my progress. I share my goals with this partner, and I share the specific actions I commit to taking.

o My partner is more than simply a sounding board.

o If I've taken my actions, the partner praises me, and asks what I'm doing next.

o If I haven't done what I've said I'd do, my partner asks me to recommit, and asks for a tangible, time-based action to replace the one I've missed.

o If I don't make my support call, my support buddy agrees to call me on the weekend. Missing a support call is just not cool. It wastes my support partner's time, and they sit waiting for my call.

I feel it's best not to reciprocate for my support partner. It's best to offer my support services to someone else, forming a daisy-chain of support.

Getting the Basics Right: How a Company Tendering for a Publishing Job Messed It Up

Goal setting isn't just a matter of having a good goal. It's also about understanding the foundation underlying the goal. Know your aim. Know it backwards. Then evaluate your goal setting program against your aims and objectives to make sure that you end up delivering something that will serve you.

Get the basics wrong, and you'll end up achieving the wrong end result. Get these basics clear, and get them right, and you're on the path to achieving what you WANT to achieve.

Here's an illustration of how hazy understanding of the basics let one company down in a big way.

I've just come back from a meeting out in Rooihuiskraal. I was one of the panelists evaluating tender documents for a publishing project. I can't give you specific details, because I'm under a confidentiality agreement. But I can give you the principles.

A South African government body asked publishers to tender for the business of creating a quarterly magazine in a particular interest field. The tender document was very specific, and had numerous points that needed to be adhered to. Because of the strictness of the criteria that needed to be met, only three publishing companies made it through to the panel for evaluation, as the rest had been whittled away due to not meeting the criteria.

So the panel sat, studying the three documents.

Two of them looked promising. One, however, didn't stand a hope of making it to the final selection. The publisher who submitted that particular document really didn't pay attention to the brief.

The brief stated explicitly that the publishing company needs to furnish resumes of the key crew who would be publishing the magazine, showing clearly that these key crew members had specific experience in the subject the magazine would be covering.

This company didn't even give resumes of their crew! Instead, they gave resumes of their directors! What's worse... the directors had NO experience in the subject under discussion!!! Nothing. Nada. If we were evaluating on this single criterion, these guys would already have been disqualified. But that's not the only area they fell down in. They were asked to supply examples of previous publications they had done on the topic. These guys elected to provide a magazine in a completely unrelated field, as well as an annual report for a company that had nothing to do with the subject matter either.

Bang. Cheerio to this company.

The lesson? Pay attention to the basics. If you set yourself specific goals, and you're clear to yourself about the foundations beneath those goals, be sure to be strict with yourself in following your own plan. Otherwise you might lose the tender.

Goal Setting Tips and Tricks: 'SMART' goals -- specific, measureable, achievable, realistic, time-based

SMART

An Acronym To Guide Your Goalsetting

For a goal to be meaningful, it helps if it's 'SMART'.

S: Specific.
M: Measureable.
A: Achievable.
R: Realistic.
T: Time-based.

If I state: 'I want to go to the moon in a few days time', this would NOT be a 'SMART' goal. Sure, it's more-or-less 'specific' (but only just), and it's pretty 'measureable', but it doesn't meet the other three criteria. 'A few days' is not a time-based statement. It's hazy.

If I state, 'I want to walk on the moon's surface by the time I turn fifty on February 17 2018,' I'd be stating a 'SMART' goal.

It's VERY 'specific'. I'm stating the actual thing I'll do when I get to the moon.

It's something I can 'measure'... if I WALK on the surface of the moon, I'll know I've achieved my goal. If I do it by the time I turn fifty, stated as a real date, I'll know whether I've achieved it.

Is it 'achievable'? Given the fact that South African businessperson, Mark Shuttleworth, has already walked in space, I'd say that twenty years is a fair time period to expect commercial moon travel to be possible. In that time, can I take steps to GET myself to the moon? Possibly.

'Realistic'? A little bit science-fiction-esque. But essentially realistic.

And I've already illustrated the time-basedness of it. I'm not vague about the time. I'm spelling out what 'by the time I turn fifty' means.

Good luck with your own SMART goals.

This post originally appeared on Roy Blumenthal's How to Unleash Your Creativity: For Profit & Gain and on the Squidoo Lens: Creativity According to Roy Blumenthal.

Amazon: Books That'll Help You Reach Your Goals

Write It Down Make It Happen: Knowing What You Want And Getting It

by Henriette Anne Klauser

On my shelf. This one has the premise that when we write our desires down, we find a way to actualise them. A rich source of inspiration.

Do It! : A Guide to Living Your Dreams

by Peter McWilliams, John Roger

On my shelf. This one's a life-changer. Highly recommended. If you've ever procrastinated about your life goals, this book'll help you take the necessary steps. I enjoyed the process immensely.

Visioning: Ten Steps to Designing the Life of Your Dreams

by Lucia Capacchione

On my shelf. If you're visually oriented, you'll find this book a must-have. I've done several collages using her techniques, and they work. Get this book.

Creative Visualization: Use the Power of Your Imagination to Create What You Want in Your Life

by Shakti Gawain

The Creative Visualization Workbook: Use the Power of Your Imagination to Create What You Want in You Life

by Shakti Gawain

On my shelf. Shakti Gawain almost single-handedly created the creative visualization movement. This book accompanies her groundbreaking CREATIVE VISUALIZATION, but it's self-contained. I love the practical nature of this book. Very easy to work through.

Goal Setting 101 : How to Set and Achieve a Goal!

by Gary Ryan Blair

Description from Amazon: This book offers solid advice on setting and achieving your goals. Goal Setting 101 helps you to become brilliant on the basics by explaining the Who?, What?, Where?, When?, How?, and Why? of goal setting.

Goal Setting Forms : Tools to Help You Get Ready, Get Set, & Go for Your Goals!

by Gary Ryan Blair

Good for those of us who prefer structure. Description from Amazon: Because our goal is to help you achieve yours, The GoalsGuy offers replacement tools that support your efforts to achieve an extraordinary life.

Motivation and Goal Setting: How to Set and Achieve Goals and Inspire Others

by Jim Cairo

Description from Amazon: Motivation and Goal Setting delivers concise, how to information in a friendly, interactive format ideal for team or individual use. This book will help one clearly define their values, maintain flexibility by setting realistic goals, and inspire others to work with their goals.

Make Success Measurable!: A Mindbook-Workbook for Setting Goals and Taking Action

by Douglas K. Smith

Description from Amazon: This is a how-to book, emphasizing outcomes as opposed to actions in setting goals. You'll learn how to: Set goals that matter to customers, shareholders, and funders. Set nonfinancial as well as financial goals and link them together for total success.

The Magic Lamp : Goal Setting for People Who Hate Setting Goals

by Keith Ellis

Description from Amazon: Do you have trouble setting goals? Would you like to have greater focus, stronger follow-through, and achieve dramatically better results? Would you like to learn how to get anything you want from life--more money, a new home, a promotion, better relationships, a greater sense of fulfillment, or anything else you can imagine? The Magic Lamp transforms the process of setting goals from a dull routine into an exciting adventure because it's the first book to combine the methods of goal setting with the magic of making your wishes come true.

Comprehensive Life Planning Programs: My Personal Strategic Plan 2006

My Personal Strategic Plan 2006

Are You Falling Short of Achieving Your Important Personal Goals?

Gary Ryan Blair offers you 'My 2006 Personal Strategic Plan'.

He writes: "If you've had challenges accomplishing all your goals in the past, I've got good news for you."

He adds: "I have put together a very effective program that will help you achieve every goal you establish. It's partly an evaluation of your current habits as they are today and partly a blueprint for doing things better - and I mean much better."

In addition: "It's not expensive and yet it can make a very big difference in your life. It can make 2006 the wealthiest, healthiest, wisest and most rewarding year of your life!"

Head to Gary's 'My Personal Strategic Plan 2006' website and learn more about how to make this year your most productive ever.

Goal Setting Software & Online Programs: Goal Genie

Goal Genie

You put your goals in, and Goal Genie feeds them back to you - at time intervals you decide - throughout your computer sessions. When one of your goals pops up, your eye is drawn to it.

Goal Setting Software & Online Programs: GoalSync

GoalSync

Sychronize yourself with your goals! GoalSync by Success Studios allows you to utilize the power of repetition and subliminal messaging to achieve your goals.

Goal Setting Software & Online Programs: GoalPro 6.0

GoalPro 6.0

GoalPro 6.0 is a software-based goal-setting achievement system, designed to provide you with all necessary tools to define, maintain, track, and achieve your goals. Downloadable trial version available!

Goal Setting Software & Online Programs: The Goal Setting Countdown Clock

The Goal Setting Countdown Clock

The Goal Setting Countdown Clock keeps you on focus, on target, on purpose. And it's a bestseller at TheGoalsGuy.

Goal Setting Software & Online Programs: MyGoalManager

MyGoalManager

MyGoalManager.com's Online Goal Achievement System uses the Power of Goals to make creating and maintaining your Goals Program quick, easy, and fun. The easy-to-follow instructions and simple forms allow you skip the learning curve of most software packages and get and up and running in minutes. You can manage your Goals from any computer with an Internet connection and there is no software to download or install.

Goal Setting Software & Online Programs: Affirmware

Affirmware

Affirmations have long been recognized as a powerful tool in manifesting desires. That's because the subconscious mind can't differentiate between reality and suggestions. "Name the Top 3 Things You Want in Life" ...then use your computer for 10 minutes a day to make them come true.

Goal Setting Software & Online Programs: MP3motivators

MP3motivators

A collection of powerful motivation audio books that offer you a programed success course.

Goal Setting Software & Online Programs: Goals2006

Goals2006

Goals 2006 is the ultimate personal goal setting program. Spend a few hours over the next few weeks and easily and totally plan the kind of year you're going to have this year -- any year.

Some Internet Based Goal Setting Resources

How to Achieve Your New Years Resolutions - Facts and Figures

Want to keep your resolutions this year? Visit The GoalsGuy for a collection of helpful tips, strategies, inspiration, encouragement, motivation and information to help you reach your personal goals and have the best year of your life.

myGoals.com New Year's Resolution Tips

Tips for Making Good New Year's Resolutions There is a right way and a wrong way to make a New Year's resolution. Here are a few expert tips to see that your resolution actually makes

How to Keep Your New Year's Resolutions - eHow.com

How to Keep Your New Year's ResolutionsThe new year has arrived, and you have already drawn up your resolutions. Now, how to stick to your plan?

Personal Goal Setting - Setting and achieving life goals with Mind Tools

Goal setting is a powerful process for personal planning. By setting goals on a routine basis you decide what you want to achieve, and then move step-by-step towards achieving these goals.

Setting Goals, How to Set a Goal – Mind Tools

Deciding Goals
Where Goal Setting can go Wrong
Setting Goals Effectively
The way in which you set goal strongly affects their effectiveness.

Goal Setting - Powerful Written Goals In 7 Easy Steps!

Begin to master the goal setting process as we introduce you to the 7 steps needed to create powerful written goals.

Learn How To Make Your Goals SMART

Are you sure your goal is smart? Learn how to set SMART goals and objectives.

The Awesome Power of Goal Setting—Ten Tips for Triumph

When you begin your new year with desired outcomes and goals in mind, you set yourself up for awesome success. The new year is a beginning, so new goals and resolutions, new plans, new dreams and new directions fuel your thoughts.

Goal Setting Tips and Secrets

Goal setting, 77 Tips for Great Results.

I Succeed By Helping You Succeed by John Dilbeck

I Succeed By Helping You Succeed by John Dilbeck

John writes:

I believe a successful person helps others
achieve the success they want. I don't believe you are truly successful
if you block others, climb over them, or use them to your own
advancement.

You may be wealthy, famous, and powerful, but I don't believe you are truly successful unless you help rather than hinder.

I succeed by helping you succeed.

Roy Blumenthal's Creativity Squidoo

Roy Blumenthal's Creativity Squidoo

I've got some goal setting tools on my creativity Squidoo. Take a look at my take on 'SMART' goals.

Virtual Surf Report: Setting Achievable Goals

Seeing as it's nearly New Year, and we could all use a refresher on how to really get to grips with our New Year's resolutions, I put together a little resource list on setting effective goals.

I'll be updating my Squidoo lens on the topic regularly, so bookmark Goal Setting With Roy Blumenthal, and make it a goal to check it out occasionally.

Here are some of the resources I've come across and find helpful:

How to Achieve Your New Years Resolutions - Facts and Figures

Want to keep your resolutions this year? Visit The GoalsGuy for a collection of helpful tips, strategies, inspiration, encouragement, motivation and information to help you reach your personal goals and have the best year of your life.

myGoals.com New Year's Resolution Tips

Tips for Making Good New Year's Resolutions There is a right way and a wrong way to make a New Year's resolution. Here are a few expert tips to see that your resolution actually makes sense.

How to Keep Your New Year's Resolutions - eHow.com

How to Keep Your New Year's ResolutionsThe new year has arrived, and you have already drawn up your resolutions. Now, how to stick to your plan?

Much more where these came from on my Goal Setting Squidoo.



My own goals for this coming year? I'll be getting into my Creativity Seminars in a big way. I'll be developing my practice as an Hawaiian ka huna masseur. I'll be doing more voice-over work. And I'll be looking at doing interesting corporate and industrial theatre using Augusto Boal's techniques.

Have a happy 2006. And may it be filled with learning, loving, and joy.

For a full podcast of this post, please click on http://media.libsyn.com/media/schmucknews/2005-12-30_Virtual_Surf_Report_--_Setting_Achievable_Goals.mp3.

This post first appeared on Coffee-Shop Schmuck.