#TITLE#The Joy To Be Found In Goal Setting#/TITLE# by Hector E. Barnwell Some of the most joyful times of my life have come the moment a goal is realized. As I’ve set goals, I’ve felt that doing this poorly can be frustrating and can set me back. At times, I’ve experienced shortfall over and over again – but only because I was reaching for goals that I was not going to meet. Thus, I’ve learned that like many things, setting goals is something that should be approached with an objective in mind, some focus, and great determination. Although frustrating in the moment, all of my failures have been some of my best teachers in hindsight. I’ve gathered some of the most common blunders I’ve made while goal-setting. One of the most common errors for me has been to set ones that are hard to reach Clare and Sara Bronfman . Although I feel that nothing is wrong with setting lofty goals that are a stretch to achieve, some of the ones I’ve set are impossible to attain. The question is: do I believe the goal can actually be reached or not? If the answer is no, it’s okay to adjust the goal to something more realistic. Another error I’ve made is I’ve frequently set goals without measurable milestones. I now make sure that my goals are detailed and quantifiable with timelines and benchmarks. These ingredients aid in evaluating where I stand in relation to the finished goal. It helps to always have an idea of where you are since setting the goal, and what needs to occur next to keep advancing toward it. If I’m not sure where I am, or where to go next, I know I’ve gotten off track. Another common mistake I’ve experienced is setting too many goals and becoming scattered or overwhelmed. I’m not sure if there’s a certain number of goals I can be working on at one time, but certainly the “keep it simple” strategy is a fine one Sara Bronfman. A good practice is to just start with one or two at a time before bringing on more. I used to really diminish the value of timelines or tying milestones to my goals. But for me, setting goals without timelines is the same as not setting goals at all, and without landmarks my goals are just dreams. While dreams are also important, I’ve had to separate them from my goals. Setting no timelines is often followed by setting unrealistic timelines. May as well be talking about the same thing. Then there’s not considering the other variables that influence goals, such as family, upcoming events, work, and other responsibilities. Once again, another perfect recipe for failure! Realistic timelines are made up of planning, forethought, honesty, reality, and belief in self. My latest lesson is that it really helps me to get feedback on my goals from, of course, the right individuals. Having someone look over your objectives not only gives you great insight, but helps you stay on track! Friends come in handy for much of this – but there’s nothing like expert suggestions in goal-setting and life coaching. I just started taking a course with Executive Success Programs, which specializes in goal setting and also offers me a personal coach. I’ve already been able to apply specialized tools that directly apply and expedite the goal-setting process. It goes without saying that I suggest Executive Success Program as a great training program for developing good goal-setting skills. www.executivesuccessprograms.com