Goal Setting - Part 1

Friday, June 22, 2012

Update: 13/11/2015

Today on Let's Get Working we'll discuss how to set goals in part 1 of goal setting. Goal setting is a helpful tool when you're looking for a job. Having a step by step plan for how you'll reach your goal will prevent you from being overwhelmed by the task and keep you focused and on what you have to do.

There are six steps to achieving a goal

1. Assess the current situation
2. Define the goal
3. Plan the steps required to reach your goal
4. Implement the plan to reach your goal
5. Assess the progress of the plan
6. Continually review your requirements

Assess the current situation

To figure out where we're going, we must first find out where we are. Assess yourself and your current situation to give yourself a starting point from which to reach your goal. Knowing this information will allow you to see what you want to change or improve and help you to assess your progress as you work towards your goal.

List all the things about yourself that you think are important

• Financial situation
• Health
• Employment
• Education and Skills
• Level of performance
• Relationships with friends and family
• Self Confidence

Define the goal

What is your goal and what kind of outcome do you want to achieve. Goals can be work related or they may be something that you wish to improve in your personal life. To help you visualise what you want, pretend that you're in the future. What is your life like, where are you and what are you doing?

For example - I'm living on my own and I'm financially independent thanks to my full time job.

When writing down your goals make sure they follow the SMART method.
(Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-based)

Specific

A specific goal covers the Who, What, Where and Why of the goal. It lists what you want to improve and what the expected outcome will be.

I want to get a job in Retail so I can be financially independent.

This example shows, Who, What, Where, and Why

Measurable

A measurable goal has criteria that can be examined to see if you're making progress towards the desired outcome. Measurable criteria help you stay on track and reach your target because you can see the progress you're making.

Measurable criteria here would be

• Gaining interviews
• Getting a job
• Saving enough money to move out

Attainable

An attainable goal is something that you can actually achieve based on your constraints. Constraints are anything that places a limit on the goal.

• Lack of money
• Missing skills
• Inexperience
• Bad Attitude
• Lack of Ability

Relevant

A relevant goal is something that is positive, worthwhile doing and will bring improvement or progress.

- Applying for a job that you lack the skills to do is not a relevant goal.
- Learning the skills required to do that job is a relevant goal.

Time-based

A time based goal has an expected completion date. Giving a goal a deadline to finish helps you to prioritise your day to day activities and focus your efforts on completing the goal.

Do you expect to finish your goal within one week or within one month?

To help you assess yourself later, write yourself a letter from the future. Write about your efforts to find a job, the things you're currently doing such as work or studying, and anything from your personal life that is important.

Until Next Time,
Steven

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Previous Comments

Karen King from 19 Newport Crescent Port Macquarie posted on 27 Jun 2012
I found your article helpful and motivating me as well.