In a world of endless goals and milestones in personal lives and professional lives, how do you set yourself up for success? Do you have the habit of setting intentions before a task? I strongly believe in starting with an intention before I consciously do something or anything for that matter. The intent is in the form of just a thought or vision I have before I begin my work.
For example, before I start cooking, I ground on my intention and visualize how the dish is going to look like and taste, which only takes a few seconds. Yet I have repeatedly found this visualisation to be quite essential in bringing my intentions to reality even in seemingly routine tasks.
The same goes for my professional work for a mundane activity as writing an email. I start with the aim of how I would like my reader to receive and understand my message and then write it with a specific tone, keeping the reader/s in my mind.
By now, this intention setting has become my second nature, and I do this automatically before I do most of the things wherever conscious effort is required. I have observed in most of the cases, I do end up meeting my intentions.
lntention is not equal to outcome:
Unfortunately, intention does not guarantee successful outcome. In my experience, the intention enables me to keep my focus on the expected outcome while putting effort on the task. As a result, the outcome does meet my intention in some form or the other.
I have approached goal setting as an exercise to set such intentions (or objectives) to a complex task or a series of tasks (or responsibilities) that I undertake.
When I was 25, I had to attend a personality development workshop to get my professional degree. I am so grateful for that workshop being made mandatory. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have taken the time for it!
It gave me a clear direction before I started my career in a foreign country. The workshop taught me Mission statement and goal statements, among other topics such as public speaking, presentations etc.
The mission statement that I created guided me for decades after, giving me direction for goals and clarity of decisions. Would you like to dig more into goals?
Before you start with your goals, I think it is a good idea to set your Purpose and Mission statements that would give your goals much needed direction and clarity. If you would like to revisit the concept of Purpose, Vision and Mission, please refer to the article “Where am I heading?“
Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible
Goal Statement:
I use goals more commonly with definitive time-bound milestones that could be measured. In my experience, they attempt to answer the questions of how do I meet my purpose and mission.
When I have time-bound measurable goals, I feel better equipped to fulfill my purpose and mission. Here is how framing the goals with some examples of needs and wants might be helpful. Are you still with me to explore Goals?
If you would want to refresh your understanding of needs and wants in life, please read “What do I really want in life?”
I have better clarity for my goals when I am aware of my responsibilities as a mother, wife, daughter, friend, employee, colleague, manager, etc. This awareness helped me immensely, especially when I desired to excel in everything I did. Many women in my experience would agree with me!
Even when I write my goals down, I notice my optimism and enthusiasm are overused, prompting me to manage them with the availability of my time and energy. As a first step, I write my goals down using ‘need’ and ‘want’ statement. Categorising the statements makes it easier for the goal to approach sucess.
Writing down is sometimes better than Speaking up:
If you are like many people I know who shun the idea of writing something down, my advice to you is: “Do it anyway!” Especially when you desire your life to work better for you.
Perhaps you do not see the value of writing or lose the paper you had written somewhere in the pile of clutter on your shelf. The chances are high; you would find the piece of paper by chance years later and get a glimpse of insight.
Perhaps you gain a different perspective that might trigger a new possibility!
Here is a template and a few examples for you to get started with a long-term goal (say five years):
|
Areas of life |
Need |
Want |
|
My Self |
Healthy diet, exercise routine, rest and restoration routine, and health monitoring routine. Take regular time out for myself. |
Take time to spend it nature in a quieter environment and slower pace. Read, reflect and transform regularly. |
|
Financial |
Earn to spend $xxx per month and save $yyy per month. |
Earn to spend $xxxx per month and save $yyyy per month. |
|
Relationship- immediate family |
Support my children’s physical, mental and emotional needs at all times. Give them spiritual exposure regularly. Nurturing a strong bond with my spouse and able to enjoy our lives together. |
Support fulfillment of children’s “healthy wants” to the extent permissible by my other priorities. Cherishing rich experiences of life together with my spouse. |
|
Relationship- extended family |
Call/ Meet them every week. Send them money to support them. Extend physical support where needed. |
Go for family vacations to have fun and enjoy time with them. |
|
Relationship- friends |
Support each other in personal well being, growth and development. |
Meet once a month to share, chill and enjoy together. |
|
Relationship- society |
Donate x% of family income to xyz cause. |
Volunteer xx hours per month for xyz cause. |
|
Others |
—- |
—-
|
Short term goals are equally important:
Short term goals are usually set for 1 or 2 years, derived from the long term goals to more specific activities or milestones that are achievable in a shorter timeframe. A health goal for six months could be for example:
- to reduce cholesterol/blood glucose level by x points;
- increase my stamina to be able to run x km in y min;
- participate 10km/half marathon run by the end of the year;
- improve my body flexibility by 30% through regular yoga practice;
If you tend to do more and feel over-whelmed most of the time, then you might consider setting resting and relaxing milestones. How about committing to taking one short break without work emails/calls to feel rested and recuperated.
If a break seems impossible at the moment, how about aim to get a massage or plan small get-away weekends more often, which might be more manageable with your schedule.
For busy Moms, how would you like to go to movies with just your friends that bring you back to your “carefree” days; or staying over at your best friend’s place and get some quality fun time alone?!
Would you like to give it a go and write them down? See if that triggers an action in any area that you had not considered before. Share it with us!
