How to Write Truly Motivating Goals

by Shawn M. Driscoll

"The indispensable first step to getting the things you want out
of life is this: decide what you want." - Ben Stein

Early in our lives, our goals are pretty well set for us—we
learn to walk, talk, and tie our shoes. We go to school,
graduate, perhaps get a job, go to college or other training and
develop some good relationships. In our early careers there is
often a “career path” laid out for us. From these early
experiences we learn to set goals from the outside-in.

At some point, usually after achieving all the “checklist goals”
(you knowdegree?-check, job?-check, nice car?-check,
house?-check, promotion?-check, relationship/ family?-check
)—we crave something more. We may find ourselves "goal-less" for the
first time in our lives. This sense of being directionless can
be frustrating and confusing. After all, we had expected that
all the hard work and accomplishment would bring us to a happy
and fulfilled life. Quite naturally we’re a bit startled when we
find ourselves thinking “there has to be something more out
there”.

Take heart. This isn’t a symbol of failure at all. It’s a sign
of success! You have hit a critical point in your life you have
matured and grown enough that you are ready to start creating
goals from the inside-out. Goals with meaning.

The feeling of wanting more is really your inner voice and
wisdom wanting to express itself. Rather than looking “out
there” for what’s next, it’s time to look inside. The “right
goals” will find you once you honestly examine who you are, and
clearly state where (and who) you want to be. Here’s how it
works:

TAP INTO YOUR VALUES

You have enough life experience under your belt to know your
values. Values are those things that draw you in—what you are
naturally drawn to and are eager to experience. Those things
that, when you experience them, you feel most like yourself.
Some questions that may help you zero in on your core values
include: What do you want to be known for? What do you stand
for? What things excite or exhilarate you? What brings you joy?

Don’t expect that you are always living up to your values, but
getting to the heart of them is a big step forward. It’s also
possible that your values have gotten clouded over by other
things—needs, shoulds (those external things we ‘should’ do even
if it’s not what we really want to do), wants, our role
expectations (parent, employee, spouse, etc) and obligations.

To separate those things from your values, check in with
yourself and see if you are really excited by it—even a little
scared. If so, it is probably a value. If you did it and loved
it when you were young, it may be a value. If you feel you need
it to be happy or to achieve something else, it’s NOT a value
but a need. Keep looking for the value.
(Note: if you are struggling with this exercise, visit my website at www.succeedcoaching.com/tips.html
for a Values Clarification exercise.)

CRAFT A COMPELLING VISION

Once you’ve tapped into your core values, you are ready to
create a vision for yourself. If this were a perfect world and
your life were going perfectly, what would that look like? What
would it feel like? What are you doing? What is your source of
enjoyment? What kinds of people are in your life? What kinds of
experiences are you having? Don’t let reality slip in just
yet allow yourself to dream, to connect with your hopes.

You may not see it all clearly yet. That’s ok. Write what you
know to be true. Allow the rest to reveal itself in time. It
will. You’ve already done a lot of the hard work in life. Set
aside time to envision and experience the feeling of being
inspired. This is the vision that will connect you to the “right
goals” for this time in your life as well as allow your values
to take center stage.

SET CLEAR GOALS

Now you can start to think about your goals. Take your vision
and break it down paragraph by paragraph. What do you need to
accomplish in order to fulfill the vision? Write it as specific
results or outcomes you want. Use “to be” statements rather than
‘to do” statements. For example:

Instead of: Get a new job

.write: To be a technical writer in a
mid-sized company by January 1, 2005 making $45,000 per year.

Instead of: Lose weight
..write: To be confident and comfortable
in my new suit by November, 2004.

Use the SMART test to assess your goals
Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timebound.
The more specific, measurable, and time bound you are, the more you
will be motivated to do what it takes. And, of course, be realistic
and set attainable (but stretch!) goals. Some things simply have limits.
You can’t lose 30 lbs in a week or change careers in a few days.

ARE THESE THE RIGHT GOALS FOR ME? A SELF TEST:

So, how will you know when you’ve written goals from the
inside-out? Here are a couple of ways to check.
Be honest...this is just between you and your piece of paper!

1.Are you ENERGIZED by them? When you think about achieving them
are you excited? Do you feel like you can’t wait to get started?

2.Do you feel PASSIONATE about them? Are you willing to do
whatever it takes to make it happen?

3.Do the goals, if achieved, give you the ability to share who
you are as a person? Do they bring your unique talents and gifts
to the forefront? Do you experience joy when working on them?

The right goals for you should simply “click”. You’ll know they
are right because they compel you to act. If not
examine if the goal is a ‘should’ –an ‘outside-in’ goal set based on external
standards of who you should be?

This kind of goal will not give the lasting sense of fulfillment.
It will become a drain that requires grit and discipline without the
energizing commitment needed to make it happen. If it doesn’t feel ri
ght to you be willing to let it go or to reframe it to something internally
motivating. The right goals start to feel effortless (not easy,
mind you). Have fun!

 

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Stop Struggling...Start Succeeding! For more information on
Coaching and Development programs contact Shawn Driscoll at 248
321-8390 or email Shawn@succeedcoaching.com

About the author:
Shawn Driscoll, owner of Succeed Coaching & Development
(www.succeedcoaching.com), is a Career and Business Coach,
trainer and speaker. For over 14 years Shawn has advised,
coached and developed Executives, Managers, Supervisors and
their teams to achieve greater results. Shawn holds a Masters
Degree in Labor and Industrial Relations from Michigan State
University and teaches Management and Leadership courses at two
local colleges.