by Lydia O’ Donnell, Office Manager at Abrivia Recruitment
Did you know that only 3% of adults have clear, written goals? These people accomplish five and ten times as much as people of equal or better education and ability, but who for whatever reason, have never taken the time to write out exactly what they want (Tracy, 2013). Here at Abrivia Recruitment, we speak to many people every day and many are not quite sure what it is they want from a job/career. So what advice do we give?
Firstly, clarity is perhaps the most important concept in personal productivity and success. The number 1 reason why some people get more work done faster is because they are absolutely clear about what their goals and objectives are and don’t deviate from them. Brian Tracy (Thought Leader and bestselling author) outlines a powerful formula for setting and achieving goals in his book Eat That Frog. It consist of seven simple steps.
Decide exactly what you want
As Stephen Covey says ‘Before you begin scrambling up the ladder of success, make sure that it is leaning against the right building.’ Decide what YOU want and do not let people or circumstances dictate to you.
Write it down
When you write a goal, you crystallise it and give it a tangible form. When a goal is not written, it is merely a wish or a fantasy and has no energy behind it.
Set a deadline on your goal
A goal without a deadline has no urgency about it. If you don’t set a deadline, you will naturally procrastinate and get little done.
Make a list of everything that you can think of that you are going to have to do to achieve your goal
A list gives you a visual picture of the larger task/objective. It gives you a track to run on!
Organise the list into a plan
Break it down into individual tasks. With an organised plan of action, you will be far more productive and efficient than people who carry their goals around in their minds.
Take action
The plan doesn’t work unless you do! Execution is everything.
Resolve to do something every day that moves you towards your major goal
Build this activity into your daily schedule. Keep pushing forward. Keep moving and don’t stop.
I write each of my goals on a small index card and I review them during the day. They range from a number of things…professional wants, personal wants, places to see etc. I also use pictures as visual reminders. They are constant reminders to me especially on the days when I am lacking motivation or inspiration to move towards my goals. So in conclusion, set your goal, write it on your card, engrave it in your mind, tell yourself that ‘I’m willing and I’m able,’ and then go do it!