If you’re wondering why you have goals, but don’t seem to achieve them….the solution may be simpler than you think.
First, a bit of history…
The great business consultant, Dr. W.E. Deming, was one of the foremost experts in quality control. His work was made world-famous in his 1950’s lecture series with the Union of Japanese Scientists and Engineers. His teachings made a deep impression and provided the great impetus in implementing quality control in Japan.
Great! So, what does that matter to you?
- Deming is known as the guy who said, “What gets measured, get’s done!”
The first step to getting something done is to measure it. The first step to measuring is to writing it down! Not tomorrow today. This is why most coaches, fitness experts and quality gurus will tell you: “Write it Down!”
Don’t wait until you get results. Write down where you are now. Write down where you want to be. Now come up with how you’ll measure your progress.
A measurement system only has to be meaningful for you. For example, perhaps your goal is to lose weight. But really your method of measurement is whether your favorite pants fit. If that’s the case, your measurement system is your pants. It’s not the scale. Throw the scale out or at least toss it into the back of the closet. It’s not your BMI or your total number of calories or your carb count. It’s how your pants fit. Go with that!
As you work with goals, keep these principles in mind. For a goal to really take hold and be effective, it needs to:
Be written down – What doesn’t get written down may never be thought of again! Writing goals provides direction and helps you develop a strategy.
Be very specific – Writing detailed goals helps you better understand your wants and needs.
Be measured – How you measure is not as important as THAT you measure. Find a measurement that has meaning to you: time saved, time freed up to relax,measurements that you can see, feel, taste, touch and smell. Make that measurement work for YOU.
Be action based – A goal should include specific actions that will reach certain milestones. These action-oriented ensure that your goal is not just “pie-in-the-sky” but actually something that you can take specific steps towards achieving.
Have deadlines – Every goal should have a deadline. An open-ended goal does not create a sense of urgency. A goal should include a timeline as to when you will meet certain milestones. In addition to setting short, mid and long-term goals, these milestones will further reduce your stress of expectations on WHEN you want to achieve a specific goal.
Be something you have the resources for –A goal is not a wish. It’s something that you can say, “If it is to be, it’s up to me!” Don’t sabotage your goals by making other people responsible. If you have a goal, make sure it’s about something that is in your realm of influence.
Be constantly re-evaluated - The key to staying satisfied with your goals is to make sure that they change as you change
Be rewarded – When you achieve a goal, it’s important that you take the time to acknowledge your accomplishment. Give yourself more motivation to complete the next goal!
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