When I leave the house without a destination, where and how far do I go? What was my motivation for leaving the house? What did I prepare myself for? A hiking tour in the mountains or a stroll through the city? Am I going to a café or the park?
I can let myself drift so that time passes and I’m back home at some point. I have probably seen and experienced a lot, but the assessment of whether it has ‘brought me something’ lies entirely subjectively in my way of looking at life in general. Do I tend to be focussed and single-minded and strive to use my one-off time in the best possible way and in relation to a specific purpose, or do I dislike being tied down and remain open to all kinds of variations and possibilities?
There is no such thing as ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ in the traditional sense. But if something is or has become important to me and I want to keep or achieve it at all costs, I should align my behaviour and actions accordingly, otherwise I leave it to chance.
Setting goals is a frequently asked question in coaching. The questions are: Where do I stand and where should or do I actually want to go? What am I doing with my life, my career? Why have I been treading water for years and not getting any closer to my so-called goals? Whether it’s a question of redefining a goal or analysing a goal that is constantly not being achieved – these questions help you to find out whether it’s worth making the effort:
1. is it really YOUR goal?
Who will still or only benefit if you achieve this goal? Was it your own personal desire to work towards it, or is it rather the desire of others that you have taken on?
Supporting the goals of others can work over a certain period of time, but without your own conviction and heart and soul, you will lack the passion and motivation needed to accompany a topic over a longer period of time and lead it to success. Sometimes priorities change during a goal achievement process and you realise that it will only work with a great deal of discipline. In this case, an honest review of your goals with appropriate consequences is advisable so that you don’t unnecessarily exhaust yourself.
2. Does the goal correspond to your personal values?
If you set yourself a goal because you think ‘this is how it should be done’ or ‘if I don’t reach the next career level, then ….’, but this doesn’t correspond to your own values at all because you tend to be unconventional and other values are fundamentally more important to you than a career, then achieving the goal will cost you a lot of energy on the one hand and won’t make you happy on the other.
Pay attention to your inner voice and remain authentic. Set yourself goals that suit you and that YOU feel comfortable with.
3. How realistic is the goal?
Is it your serious goal to fly to the moon and live there for six months, even though you have absolutely nothing to do with space travel and have been working as an art historian for 25 years?
A goal can only ever be considered a serious goal if neither physical nor mental (or professional) factors speak against it. Otherwise it is more of a dream. There is nothing wrong with dreaming, but if you actually want to achieve something, it should also be realistically achievable, otherwise you risk sadness and frustration.
4. How big is the goal?
Think big! Sure, why not? But not all at once, please. If you think you have to reach Mount Everest immediately, in no time at all and without a mountain map, don’t even start.
You can climb to the summit of Mount Everest if you really want to and with good preparation, professional equipment and in stages. Patience and tenacity, even if the weather is bad and your climbing partner is ill, will help you to realise your plan. Think big, plan precisely and take difficulties into account, then you will manage every mountain and reach your goal.
5. Do you know your strengths and utilise them?
Knowing your own potential and developing and utilising it as a tool is the be-all and end-all. If you don’t know where your potential lies, you won’t be able to utilise it profitably.
Self-reflection and potential analysis measures help you to scrutinise yourself and bring your own strengths to light.
6 How narrow is your time window?
What and how much are you pursuing at the same time? Too little time brings every project to a standstill. Too little time is also the number one reason and frustration factor when goals are not achieved. Be realistic here too and don’t take on too much so that the shot doesn’t backfire and you become a slave to your goals.
7. Is your discipline enough?
You know the saying: ‘Nothing comes from nothing.’
After asking yourself the above questions, think carefully about whether the goal is really worth putting other things on the back burner. Does it suit you and does it fit into your current life situation? Passion is important, but it alone is not enough for success. Without discipline, it remains more of a hobby than a serious goal.
8 Have you thought about supporters?
Talk about your project and ask for support! Even if you want to pursue your topic alone, support is always helpful when it comes to contacts, finances or simply sparring.
Make a list of people, acquaintances, friends and family who you can ask for help with certain issues. This gives you security and the feeling that you don’t have to do everything on your own. Create a positive environment for yourself. This alone will help you to maintain the necessary energy and motivation and to get through difficult phases.
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I wish you every success in achieving your goals in 2016 and take care of yourself!
