How to Set and Achieve Goals [Part 1]

1. Decide what you really want to achieve. 

 Set your own goals. Research shows that the more personally meaningful a goal is, the higher the likelihood of the goal is. 

Knowing what you want is usually the most difficult part of setting goals and implementing them. What do I want? The answer to this question is a mixture of intrinsic and extrinsic motives. Words like “Be honest with yourself” conflict with your obligations to your family and business. Find a goal to balance my life. A goal that will make me happy and benefit those I love and those who depend on me.

“How would you like to contribute to your family/community/world? Ask yourself the same question. These questions can guide you. 

At this point, it's okay to just have a very rough idea. I will specify it later.

2. Set priorities.

Think about what you really want to achieve and then set priorities. Trying to do everything at once is exhausting and you can't achieve any of your goals.

The goal is divided into three stages: stage 1, stage 2, and stage 3. The first step goal is the most important goal for me and it comes to mind more naturally. The 2nd and 3rd goals are not that important. And the limits are clearer and more specific.

For example, your first-level goal could be "getting healthier" or "spend more time with your family." The second goal could be “Keep the room clean, learn to surf”, and the third goal could be “learn to knit, do the laundry more often”, and so on.

3. Set specific goals.

I think concretely and realistically about what I want to achieve. Research shows that the more you set specific goals, the more likely you are to achieve them, and the happier you feel overall. Set goals that are as specific and detailed as possible, and break the larger goals into smaller sub-goals. 

Ask yourself questions about your goals. Whose help do you need? When should each step of the goal be achieved?

For example, a grand, vague goal of “getting healthier” doesn't help. “Eat better and exercise more” is much better. But it's still not detailed or specific.

“Eat 3 plates of fruits and vegetables every day and exercise 3 times a week” is a specific and clear goal. So it becomes much easier to achieve.

You also have to decide how to achieve your goals. For example, will you bring healthy snacks to your workplace to achieve your goal of “Eat 3 plates of fruits and vegetables every day”? Will you choose fruit over french fries the next time you eat out? Will you exercise at the gym or take a walk around to achieve your goal of “exercise three times a week”? Think about how to do each to achieve your overall goal.

If your goal has multiple levels, when will you achieve each? For example, if you are training to run a marathon, you need to think about how long it will take to complete each stage of training.

4. Think realistically.

The goal of “buying a three-bedroom apartment in Gangnam” is not very helpful if the situation is enough to seek a one-room in Gangbuk, which is clear and specific. Set realistic goals. It's good to set ambitious goals, but you need to know exactly what you need to do to achieve them.

For example, if your final goal is to buy a large house in the countryside, you will need several sub-goals to achieve this goal. You have to save money, build credit, and increase your income. Write down each subgoal and each step you need to take.

5. Write down your goals.

Write down your goals clearly and in detail, and write down deadlines. If you write down your goals, it feels more realistic. Post goals where you can see them often. This will help keep you motivated. 

Use positive words when writing down your goals. When you use positive words, you are more likely to achieve your goals.

6. Set measurable goals. 

 If your goal is to move to a new home, you will know that your goal has been achieved when you stamp a new lease or sale agreement. Even at first sight, some goals are not measurable. If your goal is to sing better, how do you know that this goal has been achieved? Set measurable goals. 

For example, memorize a song and master it completely. Learn to play an instrument while singing. Play a new song. As you work toward a larger goal, achieving measurable goals gives you a sense of accomplishment.

Think about how you will achieve your goals. Are there many ways to achieve your goals? Take three minutes to write down all of your thoughts. No matter how stupid and impossible it seems. When a specific plan is in place, you can consider registering a gym, changing your eating habits, adjusting your daily schedule to walk more, commuting by bicycle, cooking yourself instead of eating fast food frequently, and using stairs instead of elevators. There are many ways to reach your destination. Think of your goal as your end goal. Which path to choose?

7. Set achievable goals. 

I remember that I can only control my actions, not the actions of others.

Focusing on your actions helps when you run into difficulties. The difficulty you may encounter is because you realize that you are out of control.

The goal is also a process. For example, “becoming a member of parliament” is a goal that is highly dependent on the actions of others, so I cannot control it. If you can't become a member of the National Assembly, you can only think that you have failed to achieve your goal even if you did your best. “Running for an elected official” is a goal that can be achieved if you do your best to hold the election, even if you are not elected.

8. Make a realistic schedule. 

There is no need to set a deadline. However, it is good to have a rough set. Set deadlines realistically based on your goals. If you are a part-time worker with a minimum wage, you should not set a goal of earning 1 billion by the end of the year. Give yourself enough time to reach your goals. 

Set a deadline. We all have a habit of putting things off. This seems to be a natural human instinct. But as the deadline approaches, you will work harder to achieve your goals. Consider your school days. When the exam approaches, I feel like I should study, and I do. Do the same when setting goals. 

Some goals take longer to achieve than others. The goal of “building a stronger body” takes more time and effort to achieve. Make a timetable according to your goals. 

Consider external deadlines and timetables. For example, if your goal is to “find a new job,” check the deadline for submitting applications for companies applying.

Create a reward system. Humans respond well to the reward system. No matter how small achievement, you reward yourself for every part of your goal. For example, if your goal is to practice music more often, watch a comic book or favorite TV show for 30 minutes after each day of practice.

Don't punish yourself even if you don't achieve your goals. Punishing or blaming yourself for not achieving something really gets in the way of achieving your goal.

9. Identify the obstacles you may encounter.

No one wants to think that it could go wrong while making plans for success. However, to achieve your goals, it is important to identify the obstacles you may encounter and take countermeasures. If you don't, you will inevitably have no way to cope with obstacles. 

External factors can be an obstacle. For example, your goal is to open a car repair shop, but you may not have the money to pay for it at first. Your goal is to open a bakery, but you may not be able to spend as much time with your family as you want.

Find a way to overcome obstacles. For example, take a corporate loan, write a business plan, attract investors, and start a business with a friend.

Internal factors can also be an obstacle. For example, when the goal is complex, a lack of information can be an obstacle. 

Solutions to addressing the lack of information include reading on related topics, asking conditions from a mentor, practicing, and listening to lectures.

Acknowledge the limits. For example, if you want to focus on business and spend as much time as you want with your family, there is no way to solve this. However, it is possible to inform family members that it is only a temporary situation.

10. Telling people about my goals.

Some people avoid telling others about their goals. If you fail to achieve your goal, you are afraid that you will be embarrassed. Don't think so. Use it as an opportunity to show your weaknesses. Otherwise, it is impossible to get to know others or grow personally. Others can help me achieve my goals, or give me material or mental assistance.

People may not be as enthusiastic about my goals as I wish to Distinguish between constructive feedback and mean criticism. You have to listen to others but decide for yourself how important your goals are in the long run. 

You may encounter people who don't support your goals. Remember that you are trying to achieve your goals, not their goals. If you keep meeting people who are negative about your goals, make it clear that you don't like them because you feel like you're not being evaluated or helped. Do not be like this, like that.

11. Find like-minded people.

 I may not be the only one with that goal. Find people with the same goal. You can start together and use each other's knowledge and experiences. When you reach your goals, you have people to celebrate.

Search the Internet, use social media, and visit nearby places that suit your goals. In the digital age, relationships can be established and maintained in a variety of ways and communities can be formed.