Goal Setting Exercise

All of us wish our lives were better or that we were better people. We all yearn for change but have little to no idea how to make changes. We know that the only person we can truly change is ourselves. But how? How do we make real changes in our lives? Goal setting is the only way we can truly affect lasting change. We have all made resolutions to change something about ourselves and have found nothing but failure. What to do.

The best way to devise a goal setting plan is to do a goal setting exercise. These exercises vary in many different ways. No matter which exercise you choose there should be some of the same components.

The first part of the exercise is probably the most difficult. You should do a personal inventory. There are plenty of self-inventory forms on the Internet or you can do your own. The basic part of the inventory is to write down the things you like about yourself and the things you would like to change. Don’t be shy; it’s ok to say you like some things about yourself. If you have a hard time complimenting yourself, ask a friend or family member to help. Remind them that you are trying to improve yourself through goal setting so that they won’t flatter you but instead be honest.

After completing the things you like about yourself, write down everything you would like to change about yourself. Do not write these changes as critical. Instead of writing that you hate your body, write that you want to be thinner or you want to lose weight. Notice that you should write in the present tense. Writing in present tense helps to make the changes more real. You might also write I want to be more organized at home instead of I am too messy. Always be positive. Don’t beat yourself down. That is not the point of the exercise. You are journaling about the changes you would like to make in your life. This is not about self-hate.

Look over your strengths so that you can build on them. The strengths will help you make your goals come to fruition. For instance, if you are organized at work, you can use the same skills to organize your home. If you enjoy walks in the park, you can use this simple pleasure to help with weight loss. If you think of any more strengths, add them. Hopefully, you have more strengths than changes you want to make. Remember do not be too hard on yourself. That’s a goal killer before you even get started.

Now it’s time to create your goal list. Don’t make the goal list too long or you will never make any real change. Look at the things you want to change about yourself and prioritize them. Now choose the top two changes you most want to make. Turn them into positive goals. For instance if you want to stop being late for all appointments, your goal might read: I will be on time for all events. Then make a plan to affect the change. Set your clocks ten minutes early and set your alarm twenty minutes before you usually get up in the morning. Strive to get everywhere five minutes early. Don’t try to be on time; try to be early. That way you have more of a chance to be on time.

Write your goals on paper. Then put the goals in a place where you will see them every day. Also journal each day about your success and failures. You will not always be perfect. Expect to fail occasionally, but don’t give up because of a few failures. Keep your focus and you will actually affect positive change.

Copyright 2007 Janice D. Sterling - All Rights Reserved

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