The difficulty of setting the right goals

A concrete goal is the start of every successful life. The more precisely you put it into words, the clearer it stands before your eyes, not just for you, but for everyone involved.

It is not always easy to set yourself goals you can actually work towards. In the time of Covid-19 especially, this task feels even harder, since the future seems more uncertain than ever.

On top of that, goals often end up too vague, unrealistic, or with no fixed timeframe.

Still, having clear goals to work towards is important for your own personal development.

Here I want to show you a method that makes it easier to define your goals.

The SMART method is based on the goal-setting theory by Edwin Locke and Gary Latham: it holds that above all a clearly set goal motivates people to actually reach it. A concrete goal works like an engine and sets the matching actions in motion.

The SMART method:

S: SPECIFIC: put your goals into words as concretely and specifically as possible. Generalisations are just as out of place here as vague wording and fuzzy ideas. Ideally you should be able to sum up your goal in a single, precise sentence.

M: MEASURABLE: set qualitative and quantitative measures. A number, for example, gives you a concrete finish line to head for. Along the way progress can be measured effectively and beyond doubt, so you can adjust and improve course if needed.

A: ATTRACTIVE: plan in a way that leaves you actually wanting to reach your goals. What matters here is choosing positive wording and avoiding negative words like “no” or “not”.

R: REALISTIC: the task or the goal should be achievable within the set timeframe and with the means available. So be aware of which goal is challenging but within reach, and which one is more of a utopian idea. Because if you set your expectations too high, the disappointment at the end is that much greater.

T: TIME BOUND: goals should be planned with a binding timeframe. What has to be done, and reached, by when? A clear time structure helps both with motivation and with getting it done. It works as a control instrument, so the plan never even comes under time pressure. It is best to use concrete dates when setting the timeframe.

You can start by writing your goals down and putting them somewhere prominent, above your desk or by the coffee machine, for example. That way you are reminded of them constantly.

When you write it down, you should also use the first person. The more personal the wording of your goal, the stronger your sense of identification with it, and so the more you accept it.

To make it easier for yourself, it is worth breaking the final goal down into interim goals. Milestones with a fixed date give your strategy more clarity, and small wins along the way keep you motivated.

If you still find it hard to set yourself clear goals despite these tips, it can help to get support from a mental coach. A mental coach strengthens your own ability to help yourself and supports you in planning concrete steps to take.

If you would like to draw on my help with this (dipl. Sportmentalcoach and trainee betr. Mentor FA), get in touch for a first conversation, which can be held in person or online.

I look forward to hearing from anyone interested…