Breaking Goals Down To The Basics

One of the primary reasons why people fail to execute their goals is they set forth unrealistic or overly complex goals. Most of us have the tendency to look at the finish line without paying much consideration to the distance between the end point and us. Here are a couple examples to illustrate this point:

• My goal is to lose 80 pounds by next year.
• My goal is to lose 8 pounds a month each month until I reach the grand goal of 80 pounds.

Or how about this one?

• My goal is to save up enough money to take a cross-country vacation next summer.
• My goal is to save $30.00 each week so that 50 weeks from now I will have accumulated $1,500.00 for the vacation expenses. I will do this by using grocery coupons, downgrading my cable plan and dining out one time less per week.

The majority of us lay out our goals in the general manner exhibited by the first statement in each of the two examples above, but unfortunately they are so aimless and expansive that unless you are particularly motivated and disciplined chances are good you will give up long before you reach the goal.

On the other hand, if you break down your expansive goals into an assortment of smaller goals that are easily achieved, you will find yourself far more focused and motivated. Each time you reach a milestone (the conclusion of a smaller goal), you will experience the jubilation of success and be one step closer to your end goal.

Breaking large goals up into manageable pieces also plays a bit of a trick on the mind. What would be your natural answer to the following question?

• Is it easier to lose 80 pounds in 10 months, or 2 pounds each week?

The thought of losing 80 pounds is horrifying? that's a lot of weight. Two pounds is much more manageable. Right? But if you break the numbers down, you'll find that two pounds a week for 10 months will result in the loss of 80 pounds, which is exactly the same as your expansive end goal.

By breaking up your large goals, you allow your mind to focus on the easily achievable midpoints such as two pounds a week. At the end of each week if you see that you didn't reach your goal of two pounds, you'll know something needs to be tweaked if you are to succeed with your end goal. On the other hand no matter how frustrated you become with your diet, if you see that you are losing just two pounds every week you'll know that you are well on your way and as such you will remain far more motivated throughout the process.

No realistic goal is too great as long as you break it down to easily achievable and detailed interim goals.

Copyright 2005 Goals and Motivation.com

Jeffrey Rolo is an experienced human resources manager, business owner and also the owner of Goals and Motivation.com, a website offering a free 20+ page guide on goal setting. Visit http://www.goals-and-motivation.com to view this guide as well as other articles about goals and management.

---

Great Things Materialize Once We Start to Visualize

Watching the Olympics last week really amazed me. The feats of strength were fantastic, and the drama of the events themselves was captivating. But what really made... Read More

2003... Got Goals?

Ask anybody on January 2nd 2003 if they have New Years Resolutions or goals and nine out of ten will say, "Yes!" ...Ask the same people about... Read More

Hearing and Seeing Your Destiny

As a child, I read an autobiography of Annie Sullivan. She was the woman who brought Helen Keller out of her dark and silent world and into... Read More

Goal Setting and Goal Getting: What Would You Like to Accomplish in 100 Days?

Here's a question for you:What would you like to have accomplished 100 days from now?Why 100 days from now?Well, why not? Besides, 100 is a nice round... Read More

Goal Setting Basics - 3 Steps Plus 1

Goal setting seems to be one of the most misundertood, and overly complicated areas of self-improvement. And, well, frankly, it shouldn't be.Once you understand the difference between... Read More

Goal Setting and Goal Getting: The BD3 Approach

Most people have no problem setting goals. At the same time, most people have a great deal of trouble getting their goals.A specific strategy for setting and... Read More

Whose Goals Are They?

Many have goals, but few reach them all. Businesses like sports teams aspire to making goals (gaining points) to earn rewards. Are your goals clichéd with being... Read More

Achieve Your Goals By Eating The Frog And The Elephant

Brian Tracy, the great motivational guru, often suggests that people do their most important and toughest task at the start of the day. They must 'eat the... Read More

How To Keep Your Resolutions and Reach Your Goals

Another year has flown by and here you are at the beginning of another year. This is a time when many people assess their life and make... Read More

Perfection the Un-Live-Able Goal

When we have a thought or idea that we want to do or get across, we have to communicate to other people. Many do not get past... Read More

Do Not Let Anyone Dissuade You From Reaching Your Goals!

Years back when I was formulating my plans for life, I heard the statement, "Reach for nothing and you will be certain to get it." Admittedly, my... Read More

Creating Your Vision for Your Business, Career, and Life

Many people go through their daily lives feeling overwhelmed. There are so many things to do and there never seems to be enough time or energy to... Read More

Goals

"A successful attempt at scoring"Let's break that definition of Goals down a little. When you attempt a goal, does that mean you hit the mark you were... Read More

The Parable of the Jackrabbit: The Missing Key to Effective Goal Setting

So you've got a goal, and you know someone who has already reached it? Maybe it is earning a certain degree, or opening a business and making... Read More

Planning Ahead Of Everyone Else To Win

What does it take to plan like a champion?Well lets take a look into our minds a little bit to answer this question.OK, I need you to... Read More

Plant! -- And Accept The Consequences!

Welcome to Weekly Wisdoms. Last week I found a new way to communicate over the internet with audio. After you listen, if you'd like to try it... Read More

7 Ways To Ignite Your Vision

Probably the hardest skill to teach, and the one of the most vital to posess, is vision. Vision requires discipline in order to generate images of what... Read More

Challenge the Universe: Demand Your Desires!

There have been so many times in my life where I have run into a series of obstacles that never seemed to stop. I could handle each... Read More

Habits What I Want For You

Think for a moment about your Self. Is there something that you would like to have, somewhere you would like to go, or something you would like... Read More

How to Handle Getting Caught Off Guard

I remember the time that I swore to myself that I'd never be caught off guard again. I was in my new job on Capital Hill and... Read More

The Promise: The Key to the Successful Achievement of Your Goals

Decide what you want, decide what you are willing to exchange for it. Establish your priorities and go to work. - H. L. HuntI am not aware... Read More

New Years Resolutions? Dont Be So Hard On Yourself

Have you set resolutions for yourself to accomplish in 2005? Maybe you want to get more exercise, eat healthier, or spend more time with your family. If... Read More

Money, a Session With Joseth on Abundance and Money (Channelled)

(Channelled) (This communication with Joseth happened more than a year ago, while I was focused on bringing money into my life. Apparently I still haven't managed to... Read More

Requirements for Successful Goal Setting and Achievement

Benefits of Goal SettingGoal setting helps us determine our priorities, get organized, make big decisions, and realize our dreams. The act of merely setting a goal brings... Read More

The Importance Of Having A Goal In Life

At the age of twenty two, I read a book that described the importance of having a goal in life. In the books example, a survey had... Read More

Making The Goal-Setting Process a Partnership

MAKING GOALS: Effective and motivational goals engage employees in work they can realistically perform and complete, and which has been shown to be relevant both to the... Read More