5 Steps to Getting What You Want

If you find yourself thinking about meeting a goal or completing a project, read on.

While deciding what is a worthwhile goal in life can be difficult, it is oftentimes even more difficult to actually make that thing happen. This post is not intended to be a cure-all for people who are stuck in life. But if you need a boost to reach a goal, give the following a try.

1. Identify: what is it you really want? Not something you think will make you happy, but what you want. This must be something that has meaning and value to you. (clue: What did God design for your life?) If you are wanting something that is damaging to yourself or someone else, your wishes are misguided. Try again.

Set a goal.

(Robert Rubin developed the idea of SMART Goals. Specific (simple, sensible, significant). Measurable (meaningful, motivating). Achievable (agreeable, attainable). Relevant (reasonable, realistic and resourced, results-based). Time bound (time-based, time limited, time/cost limited, timely, time-sensitive). You may read more here.

An example of a smart goal: “I want to complete a college degree within 5 years.”

2. Pieces: what pieces must be put in place in order to make the above happen? These must be specific, action-oriented steps.

Example:

Enroll in college

Explore potential colleges and degree programs

Explore finances required

Graduate

Pay tuition

Discuss with family members who will be impacted

Talk to a college admissions department

Make application to the college(s) of choice

Start taking classes

List the necessary pieces, as best you can, that will move you toward your goal.

3. Prioritize: decide which pieces are most important.

Example:

1. Explore potential colleges and degree programs
2. Discuss with family members who will be impacted.
3. Talk to a college admissions department.

Etc.

You’ll never reach your goal if you can’t do the most important things first.

4. Decide to act: when will you take the step? Until you commit to do it and follow through, everything is on hold.

Example:

I will explore colleges online today.

I will talk with my family tomorrow.

Talk to a college admissions department on Tuesday

Etc.

Until you take action, your goal is just a dream

5. Now, repeat #’s 2-4 until you arrive at your destination.

Example:

Determine which pieces you must put into place

Prioritize the pieces

Act – put a piece in place and move forward

Continue this cycle until the goal is met and the degree is earned

We realize this is an over-simplification to reaching goals. However, it is a useful tool to get you moving forward. Give it a try with weight loss or spiritual development or a better marriage. I’d be interested to hear if it works for you.