Key Concepts about Goals

Keep a record of how you spend time for at least one week every year. Discover what you do, when you do it, why you do it. 

The key is to make sure your activities are consistent with your goals.
Everything you do either helps you or hinders you. Once your time is spent, it cannot be recovered.

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• Determine your long range goals. Make sure you are aiming at what you really want.

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• Be sure to set SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timed

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• Don’t try to keep your goals in your head, write them down

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• Read your long range goals at least once every day. You will find it easier to sort out all the trivia that comes your way.

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• You need short range goals to know what to do today. You need long range goals to add continuity and meaning to all your short range goals.

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• Consider projects carefully. Make sure they will move you toward your goals. Identify the critical steps, when they should be done and who should do them.

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• Set deadlines for all your projects. Estimate the time needed and determine the logical starting time to avoid last-minute rush jobs.

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• Focus on your goals at all times. “Will what I am doing right now help me achieve my goals?” if the answer is “no”, then switch to something else that will help.

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• Be sure that you have at least one significant goal every day. Don’t quit until you reach your daily goals. Before long you will develop the habit of setting goals and reaching them.

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• Write out long range personal goals. Strive to balance your time across all aspects of your life.

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• When conditions change, you may need to modify your goals. And, as you achieve your goals be sure to set new ones.