I Got It - Now What?

You are probably sick of hearing about New Year's Resolutions - Goal Setting - Starting New.  Too bad! One of my favorite topics is Goal Attainment. I would be remiss if I didn't at least do one blog on the topic and at the beginning of a new year.

Did you note that my topic is Goal "Attainment" and not Goal Setting? I am a big goal setter. I write them down; they are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timed (S.M.A.R.T. goals). I do that so I know what I am aiming for and know when I have reached it. And, if I procrastinate I know my deadline is near. However, a lot of people don't even start attaining goals because they think they must go through the task of writing them down AND then creating a plan AND then executing the plan AND then what if they actually achieve the goal - then what are they supposed to do?

Attaining the goal is the real goal of goal setting. If you write it out and use the S.M.A.R.T. method, you are statistically more likely to achieve it. Primarily because you clearly stated what "it" is. However, don't let that stop you. Pick out what it is that you want and then do something to start getting it besides just dreaming about it. Pick up the phone, cut up the credit card, do some research, get the book, whatever it takes to start physically, mentally and emotionally moving toward attaining your goal. It is more about changing your behavior than making out a big elaborate plan.

I find it funny in my goal workshops when at least one person has set a goal of getting out of debt or getting rid of a credit card. When I ask them if they are willing to cut up that one card that day and stop relying on it and adding to it - 100% of the time the answer has been "No." Well, good luck then. This is the rut we put ourselves in. We would like to achieve stuff, but that means doing things differently than we are currently doing - that hurts, that takes work, that isn't comfortable.

This is the year that I am going to stop saying, "Gee, I would like to..." and only dream about it. If I think it, I am taking action. I want to learn Spanish. I have had the Rosetta Stone program for a couple of years now and am through the first CD and am not confident enough to ask where the bathroom is. I can read the signs and can pick out the bathroom if someone shows me a picture of it. So, I signed up for a beginners Spanish class this winter and that should be the push I need. My mom has wanted to learn piano for years now. So, I signed us both up for a beginners piano course (I know, weird Christmas present, but it should be fun).

If you are a goal setter, that's great, just don't stop there. If you are a goal dreamer, that's great, just don't stop there. Be a goal doer and take action today. One tiny step, one change, get uncomfortable, read a book, take 10 minutes to do some research, ask someone a question - just do something! Before you know it, you will have achieved it.

Then what? Go for something else. Utilize the skill you just attained. Look back and bask in the glow of your success. Pat yourself on the back and realize that you can achieve, if you just do more than believe - get going.