Goal Setting Strategies

Many people can easily understand that what goal setting is. However, when it comes to the methods of creating and monitoring goals, not much information is provided in this regard.

Therefore, in this article, we will focus on one of the most important goal setting strategies which can be used to achieve goals practically.

(This article was written by Kim)

What Is A Goal Setting Strategy?

A strategy can easily be defined as any method, which is adopted in order to achieve a certain outcome.

Similarly, a goal setting strategy is a method which a person can use to create and monitor their goals.

For example, you have set a goal to earn x amount of dollars on per month basis.

Now the method which should be used to generate the desired income, shall be called a goal setting strategy.

The Significance Of Goal Setting Strategies

In reality, it is virtually impossible to achieve any set goal without preparing a strategy.

Most people complain that they have set many goals but seldom achieved any. Moreover, they mostly attribute their success to destiny and fate.

It is important to note that it is obvious if you do not have a strategy, it is highly likely that you will not meet any of your goals. It sounds scary, but this is a fact to which you should not close your eyes.

Therefore, preparing a goal setting strategy should be given equal importance as to setting a goal itself.

How To Start Goal Setting

The first and most important prerequisite for the goal setting strategies is identification of a goal in specific terms. This means you have to prepare your goal statement while stating specific details.

For example, if you are setting a goal to increase your income, it should not be written, “I will increase my income.”

This statement is too vague and does not specify any details. Rather, it should be written, “I will increase my income by 35% of my present take home income.”

The first good thing about a specific goal statement is that we get a clearer picture about what we require.

This way it helps us in making a realistic goal setting strategy. In addition, it also enables us to foresee a practical result of our goal and motivates us in achieving it accordingly.

Therefore, before considering a goal setting strategy, first we need to write a realistic goal statement with specific details on a neat paper.

Kinds of Goal Setting Strategies

After you have written a specific goal statement, consider the following goal setting strategies and adopt the one, which suits best according to your needs.

1. H.E.L.P. Goal Setting Strategy

H.E.L.P. stands for Hurry, Earn, Loose and Plan. These are the types of actions, which are required to adopt this strategy.

H.E.L.P is mostly adopted in achieving short-term goals and often the unexpected goals.

The biggest benefit of adopting this strategy is getting a result in very short time period.

Hurry

First, our focus is to achieve the set target in the minimum possible time without getting into long deliberations.

Due to the shortage of time, we are required to act and decide quickly without evaluating all positives and negatives.

Earn

Because we need to achieve the result first, we need not to think about the consequences, and have to deal with them as they come in future.

In this strategy, we do not consider or plan considering the aftermath; rather we only focus to get the result first.

Lose

We always have to lose something in return of this hastiness. Sometimes we lose our health, sometimes we loose our focus on other scheduled goals, or sometimes we even lose our relationships.

This all depends upon the type of goal which we have to achieve.

Plan

After we have lost something, we are required to plan to discount that loss.

This planning cannot be, and should not be based upon H.E.L.P strategy; otherwise, we will again loose something. Rather, this time we have to plan using some strategy, other than H.E.L.P.

A Practical H.E.L.P Example

Suppose, due to some financial problems, you were unable to pay your credit card bills and now you must pay them, otherwise you may get into a big trouble.

Therefore, you make an emergency goal statement stating, “I must earn double of my present income for three months at least, to pay off my bills.”

Now you adopt the H.E.L.P strategy and decide to find a nighttime job, in addition to your day job.

This goal setting strategy requires that we should not consider the consequences of our actions; otherwise, we would be unable to take any steps quickly.

Therefore, you start applying for a nighttime Job, without considering the consequences and somehow compromise your health or commitments to achieve the result fast.

When you start doing the night job, you come to know that it is getting difficult for you and you start loosing your stamina or health.

However, in return you earn double of your income and are able to pay off the bills. Somehow, you survive the three months and thus meet your goal successfully.

A Dangerous Goal Setting Approach

This is something very clear that H.E.L.P should not be adopted unless there is some real emergency or a situation, which compels for a quick decision.

Also, this strategy should not be prolonged under any circumstances whatsoever.

We always need to understand that in getting the result faster, we are neglecting several factors and are compromising to loose something.

However, on the positive side, it saves us from some real trouble, which we have to face, in case we do not take any immediate steps.

Therefore, precautions should be taken while adopting this strategy and always make your mind that you have to compromise something, otherwise you will not get the result.

It is better if you write down the details of your H.E.L.P goal strategy, and write down the areas which you think you will have to compromise for a time being.

(This article was written by Kim)

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