Golden Rules  to Goal Setting

Five Rules - Set Yourself for Success

 

Have you thought about what you want to be doing in five years' time? Are you clear about what your main objective at work is at the moment? Do you know what you want to have achieved by the end of today?

If you want to succeed, you need to set goals. Without goals you lack focus and direction. Goal setting not only allows you to take control of your life's direction; it also provides you a benchmark for determining whether you are actually succeeding. Think about it: having a million dollars in the bank is only proof of success if one of your goals is to amass riches. If your goal is to practice acts of charity, then keeping the money for yourself is suddenly contrary to how you would define success.

To accomplish your goals, however, you need to know how to set them. You can't simply say, "I want" and expect it to happen. Goal setting is a process that starts with careful consideration of what you want to achieve, and ends with a lot of hard work to actually do it. In between, there are some very well-defined steps that transcend the specifics of each goal. Knowing these steps will allow you to formulate goals that you can accomplish.

The Five Golden Rules:

1. Set Goals That Motivate You

When you set goals for yourself, it is important that they motivate you: this means making sure that they are important to you, and that there is value in achieving them. If you have little interest in the outcome, or they are irrelevant given the larger picture, then the chances of you putting in the work to make them happen are slim. Motivation is key to achieving goals.

Set goals that relate to the high priorities in your life. Without this type of focus, you can end up with far too many goals, leaving you too little time to devote to each one. Goal achievement requires commitment, so to maximize the likelihood of success, you need to feel a sense of urgency and have an "I must do this" attitude. When you don't have this, you risk putting off what you need to do to make the goal a reality. This in turn leaves you feeling disappointed and frustrated with yourself, both of which are de-motivating. And you can end up in a very destructive "I can't do anything or be successful at anything" frame of mind.

Tip:

To make sure that your goal is motivating, write down why it's valuable and important to you. Ask yourself, "If I were to share my goal with others, what would I tell them to convince them it was a worthwhile goal?" You can use this motivating value statement to help you if you start to doubt yourself or lose confidence in your ability to actually make the goal happen.

2. Set SMART Goals

You have probably heard of SMART goals already. But do you always apply the rule? The simple fact is that for goals to be powerful, they should be designed to be SMART. There are many variations of what SMART stands for, but the essence is this – goals should be:

• Specific. 
• Measurable.
• Attainable.
• Relevant.
• Time Bound.

Set Specific Goals

Your goal must be clear and well defined. Vague or generalized goals are unhelpful because they don't provide sufficient direction. Remember, you need goals to show you the way. Make it as easy as you can to get where you want to go by defining precisely where you want to end up.

Set Measurable Goals

Include precise amounts, dates, and so on in your goals so you can measure your degree of success. If your goal is simply defined as "To reduce expenses" how will you know when you have been successful? In one month's time if you have a 1 percent reduction or in two years' time when you have a 10 percent reduction? Without a way to measure your success you miss out on the celebration that comes with knowing you have actually achieved something.

Set Attainable Goals

Make sure that it's possible to achieve the goals you set. If you set a goal that you have no hope of achieving, you will only demoralize yourself and erode your confidence. 

However, resist the urge to set goals that are too easy. Accomplishing a goal that you didn't have to work hard for can be anticlimactic at best, and can also make you fear setting future goals that carry a risk of non-achievement. By setting realistic yet challenging goals, you hit the balance you need. These are the types of goals that require you to "raise the bar" and they bring the greatest personal satisfaction.

Set Relevant Goals

Goals should be relevant to the direction you want your life and career to take. By keeping goals aligned with this, you'll develop the focus you need to get ahead and do what you want. Set widely scattered and inconsistent goals, and you'll fritter your time – and your life – away.

Set Time-Bound Goals

Your goals must have a deadline. Again, this means that you know when you can celebrate success. When you are working on a deadline, your sense of urgency increases and achievement will come that much quicker.

3. Set Goals in Writing

The physical act of writing down a goal makes it real and tangible. You have no excuse for forgetting about it. As you write, use the word "will" instead of "would like to" or "might." For example, "I will reduce my operating expenses by 10 percent this year," not "I would like to reduce my operating expenses by 10 percent this year." The first goal statement has power and you can "see" yourself reducing expenses, the second lacks passion and gives you an excuse if you get sidetracked.

Tip 1:

Frame your goal statement positively. If you want to improve your retention rates say, "I will hold on to all existing employees for the next quarter" rather than "I will reduce employee turnover." The first one is motivating; the second one still has a get-out clause "allowing" you to succeed even if some employees leave.

Tip 2:

If you use a To-Do List, make yourself a To-Do List template that has your goals at the top of it. If you use an Action Program, then your goals should be at the top of your Project Catalog.

Post your goals in visible places to remind yourself every day of what it is you intend to do. Put them on your walls, desk, computer monitor, bathroom mirror or refrigerator as a constant reminder. 

4. Make an Action Plan

This step is often missed in the process of goal setting. You get so focused on the outcome that you forget to plan all of the steps that are needed along the way. By writing out the individual steps, and then crossing each one off as you complete it, you'll realize that you are making progress towards your ultimate goal. This is especially important if your goal is big and demanding, or long-term. Read our article on Action Plans for more on how to do this.

5. Stick With It!

Remember, goal setting is an ongoing activity, not just a means to an end. Build in reminders to keep yourself on track, and make regular time-slots available to review your goals.

Your end destination may remain quite similar over the long term, but the action plan you set for yourself along the way can change significantly. Make sure the relevance, value, and necessity remain high.

Courtesy& Source: https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newHTE_90.htm

CHARACTERISTICS OF GREAT LEADERS

CARING "No person can be a true leader unless he takes genuine joy in the successes of those under him" (W.A.Nance). And Charles Dickens said "there is a great man who makes every man feel small. But the real great man is the man who makes every man feel great." The great leader will say, "That was superb. I really liked that." Without such caring, those who work with a leader lose interest, enthusiasm ebbs out.

CELEBRATION In a functional family, children enjoy the regularity of meals and birthdays, bed time rituals, story telling, fun times, and holidays. But we remain children at heart in the business of life. So a good leader values the traditions, and history, and stories of his people. Hard work is interspersed with times of celebration.

CHEERFULNESS We all hate the whining, miserable person. But we love the leader who smiles, laughs at himself, and has an optimistic outlook on what is happening.

CHOOSING A leader is only as great as those who work with him. That is why "A leader’s job is to find persons who have particular knowledge and skills, and then delegate responsibility to them" (Anne Wilson Schaff, Women’s reality, 1981). That is done by defining what is needed for the job, interviewing possible candidates, and picturing them as part of the team. But we are all imperfect, and a great leader can recognize a weakness, and still trust us to develop into excellence.

CLARITY Nobody enjoys working for someone who is muddle headed. We may not always agree with a great leader, but he or she must have a clear picture of what has to be done immediately, see several steps ahead, and define the final result to be achieved.

COMMUNICATION Clarity of vision does not help if the leader cannot communicate it warmly, lovingly, and preferably with good humor. This kind of communication needs constant contact in informal meetings, phone calls, and in passing by with a smile and a sign of recognition. And the communication must be two-way with the leader listening carefully to what each person wants to say.

COUNSEL The need to take counsel is not the same as government by majority vote. The good leader likes to hear alternative solutions, discover the desires of all concerned, and then seeks a solution which will satisfy as many as possible. As far as possible the great leader has already achieved agreement about a new direction before the decision is published.

COURAGE Having listened to others, and then decided on what has to be done, the good leader has the courage to act. That will often be very risky if things do not turn out as expected. But nobody trusts the person who cares about preserving status and reputation at any price.

COURTESY Great leaders know how to respect the dignity of the least of those who work with them. Nobody should be humiliated. There is a right way and a wrong way to administer discipline.

CREATIVITY People long to escape from boredom and routine. They appreciate leaders who are open to unexpected insights, new ways of doing things. Like artists and musicians, great leaders are not afraid of change, variety, playfulness. They can be quirky without losing their dignity.

Top Tips for Dealing with Exam Stress
General exam stress-busting tips:

• Believe in yourself.

       You are capable of passing the exam.

• Don’t just worry – take action!

       If you don't understand some of your course material, getting stressed out won't help.
       Instead, take action by seeing someone to help you understand the problem.

• Talk to a friend

      Talk to someone you trust and who will listen and be supportive is a great way of cutting stress & worry.

Tips for the revision period:

• Time is important!

     Boost your confidence and reduce any pre-exam stress by avoiding last minute cramming. Leaving plenty      of time to revise means you know you have prepared well.

• Play is as important as work.

    Make sure that you build in time to have fun and relax in between study sessions. Develop a timetable so       that you can track and monitor your progress.

• Take a break.

   As soon as you notice you are losing concentration, take a short break – go for a walk, talk to a friend or      just listen to some music. Then you will feel refreshed and able to concentrate on your revision again. Don’t    make it too long!

• Another cuppa? Don't think so.

  Don't drink too much coffee, tea and fizzy drinks; the caffeine will make you feel 'keyedup' and make your     thinking less clear.

• Eat some ‘superfoods’.

  Eat healthily and regularly; your brain will benefit from the nutrients. Replace sweets and sugar with ‘superfoods’ such as berries, bananas, oily fish, nuts and broccoli. 'Superfoods' can help boost your      concentration, energy and mood.

• A change is as good as a rest.

Experiment with several alternative revision techniques so that revision is more fun and your motivation to study is high. Check out these revision techniques:

• Give your body a workout (as well as your mind).

Regular moderate exercise such as a brisk walk, swim or session in the gym will boost your energy, clear your mind and help reduce any feelings of stress.

Tips for keeping calm during the exam:
It's natural to feel some exam nerves prior to starting the exam and that can be a positive feeling. However, getting excessively nervous is counterproductive as it stops you thinking clearly.

• Breathe deep.

The quickest and most effective way of cutting out feelings of stress and panic is to close your eyes and take several long, slow deep breaths. Breathing in this way calms your whole nervous system.

• Blankety blank?

If your mind goes blank, don't panic - it just makes it harder to recall information.
Instead, focus on slow, deep breathing for about one minute. If you still can't remember the information then move on to another question and return to this question later.

• Don’t dwell on past exams.

Don't spend time focussing where you think you went wrong. Congratulate yourself for the things you did right, learn from the bits where you know you could have done better, and then move on.

WISHING YOU GOOD LUCK

Top 7 Characteristics of Great Speakers

Have you admired speakers who seem to captivate the audience instantly, hold attention throughout, change the tone from humorous to intensely serious with a seamless transition, overcome distractions, generate frequent applause, and by the end of the presentation have the listeners change their beliefs, even their actions? Have you wanted to become that speaker?

I have good news for you. You can progress to that stage. How? By recognizing the top seven characteristics of great speakers.

1. AUTHORITATIVE 
   
   Top-caliber speakers strike you as authoritative. You consider them experts. Clearly, they have mastered their topic.Through long hours of preparation,possibly even years, they have earned the right to speak with credibility. 
   
   Mastery may or may not include academic degrees in that area. Primarily, mastery results from wide reading, research, interviewing experts, and learning through professional associations, not because you have to but because you have an overwhelming urge to learn all you can on this theme. 
   
   Keep this in mind: Great speakers don't settle for reading articles in popular magazines, watching TV specials, or coffee shop conversations. No amount of showmanship could compensate for lack of expertise.
2. ATTITUDE 
   
   Outstanding speakers avoid saying they are going to deliver a speech. That sounds too bland and routine, like delivering a package. Instead, they visualize having a dinner conversation with friends, when you'd share your ideas naturally, with no pretense. 
   
   In fact,the finest speech coaches suggest that a speech should become a lively conversation with your audience. Roger Ailes, who served as a speech coach for Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, said: "The best communicators I've ever known never changed their style of delivery from one situation to another." Ailes observed that they were the same whether they are "delivering a speech, having an intimate conversation, or being interviewed on a TV talk show."
3. AUDIENCE 
   
   The audience becomes the centerpiece of attention. If the speaker focuses too much on herself and the impression she is making, she will become unnerved by a simple mispronunciation, and will lose confidence and poise. If the speaker focuses too much on the message, the event turns into a lifeless recitation. 
   
   Note: Terrific speakers focus mostly on the audience. They find ways to involve audiences, creating interactive sessions, involving attendees in discussion, and directing meaningful small group activities.
4. ANIMATION 
   
   Listeners don't want to wonder if the speaker has a pulse. So start by selecting a topic that mesmerizes you, demands your total commitment. Then you won't have to simulate enthusiasm. 
   
   Seek what actors call "the illusion of the first time." Although you have thought these thoughts hundreds of times, your listeners want spontaneity, as though you had just discovered these ideas and words. 
   
   Vary your voice in pitch, rate, and volume, just as you do in casual chit chat. 
   
   Gesture freely, naturally, without rehearsed motions.
5. ANECDOTES 
   
   Think back to your childhood days. When a parent or other relative sat by your bed at night and said, "Once upon a time," a magical world opened for you. As long as you can remember, stories grabbed you, and wouldn't let go until you had heard all of the fables. 
   
   As adults, we still respond to intriguing stories. People learn from and remember the anecdotes, not your statistics. 
   
   Paint word pictures. Create a "you are there" sensation.
6. APPEARANCE 
   
   Yes, "casual dress" has permeated the work place. The trend started with Casual Fridays, with more days added eventually. Even so, speakers need to look like professionals when they face audiences. 
   
   Your audience wants you to dress a level above their garb, just to indicate respect for them and the situation. Check with your club or convention host to determine the appropriate dress style. Fifteen years ago, a coat and tie were mandatory for male speakers. Now a mock turtle neck and classy blazer are likely to match expectations. 
   
   As casual as society has become, good grooming still matters.
7. ATYPICAL 
   
   You don't have to fit a mold that seems right for most other presenters. 
   
   Other presenters may cling tightly to a podium, while you choose to wander among the audience, even getting comments from those in the back of the auditorium. 
   
   Other speakers may never quote poetry, yet you can do that if you select a poem that illustrates your point compellingly. 
   
   Other speakers may avoid magic, acrobatics, singing, props, or impersonation. But if any of those work well for you, be atypical. 
   
   Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, "To be great is to be a nonconformist."