The vast majority of people have been asked these questions at least once in their careers: “Where do you see yourself in five years? What are your long-term goals?”
It came during the interview from the hiring manager or the executive to whom you’d report. Not one to walk away from a question rife with opportunity for witty responses, I often thought how much longer an interview would go if the answer was, “In your office,” or “Telling you what to do, because I’m now your boss.”The classic would be a quick look around and answering, “Certainly not here!”
“Thank you, you’re a great audience!I’ll be doing two shows through Sunday. Tip your wait staff!”
Humor aside, the question is one many of us have never answered very well, if at all. For most of our lives, we may have let circumstances dictate our goals, instead of our goals dictating our circumstances. It’s like seeing the road ahead but not having a clear idea whether we should stay on it or take the next left or right to reach our destination. Without a roadmap or GPS, we’re lost and could be; forever!
Where do you stand on goal-making? More importantly,goal-reaching?
Is setting a goal and working to reach it hard? Depends on the size of the goal and what level of commitment it will take; and more importantly, what you’re willing to commit. It can be easy, or it can take every fiber of your being. You need to decide your tolerance for risk or intolerance for failure.
Let’s be real here. All goals don’t have to be the Mt. Everest-conquering kind. Yes, you need a couple of big, hairy, audacious goals that, if you achieved them, would significantly improve your life and show you the greatness that lies within you. But smaller goals, such as improving a single aspect of your life or a process in your business can be just as meaningful.
It’s about seeing where you want to go, believing you can get there, creating the plan to do it and then making the journey, no matter the obstacles that may cross your path, finally reaching your destination.
You know the feeling when you get something you’ve wanted and worked hard for? Feels pretty good, doesn’t it? If you can do it once, surely you can do it again and again, and again!
Your goals can be physical, financial, emotional, spiritual, family or business-centered, or community focused. The idea is to make goals for those areas in your life that matter the most to you and could improve your life and the lives of others, or get you to a place in space and time where you are enjoying – no, savoring – the results.
Earlier, I mentioned “creating the plan” and that can’t be stressed enough. Psychologist Gail Matthews’s 2015 study revealed that people who wrote down their goals were 33% more successful in achieving them than those who simply thought about them. Let’s face it, we’re forgetful enough. Why chance losing a great idea or key strategy to reach a goal. Write it down (or type it in)!
In business, you know you can’t succeed and won’t have a future if you don’t have solid goals and the plans to achieve them. See how setting goals can help your business and your team in a great infographic from Christina Desmarias which appeared in Inc. online.
Take goal setting to the next generation – teach them well!
If you have children and want to give them every advantage at success in their chosen life and career paths, it’s imperative that they learn how to set and achieve goals early.
Marilyn Price-Mitchell, Ph.D. writes in her article, “Goal Setters Often Become Peak Performers” that goal-setting isn’t just for adults. In fact, being goal-oriented is a critical part of learning to be resourceful, our ability to find and use available resources to solve problems and shape our futures. Resourcefulness is a core competency in The Compass Advantage model and key to positive youth development.
Dr. Price-Mitchell offers Five Ways to Help Children Achieve Goals, which applies to adults, too.
- Put goals in writing
- Self-Commit
- Be specific
- Stretch for Difficulty
- Seek Feedback and Support
These are the basis for all goal-achieving, tried and true. The journey has been mapped out, now all you must do is plug in the destination. Make goal settiGeo Ropert, APR is the president of Ropert and Partners Public Relations – Marketing Communications. His firm is providing strategic public relations services to CashFlow GPS. Geo is participating in our program to gain an in-depth understanding of how cash flow can be improved. He is writing these blogs based on his personal experiences and for the benefit of those looking to “get free and stay free!”
ng and achieving a family affair. Make it a business priority. Most of all, make it a daily part of your life.
Are you a goal-setter? What are some of them and have you achieved them or are you in the process? Share your stories in the comment section below and help connect and build our community with others looking to achieve their financial freedom through strategic goal setting. Get started on your journey here.
Editor’s note: Dr. Marilyn Price-Mitchell founded Roots of Action in 2011 as a way of helping parents, schools, and communities nurture positive youth development–the growth of successful young people ready to become caring family members, innovative workers, engaged citizens, and ethical leaders in the Digital Age. You can find her full bio here.
Geo Ropert, APR is the president of Ropert and Partners Public Relations – Marketing Communications. His firm is providing strategic public relations services to CashFlow GPS. Geo is participating in our program to gain an in-depth understanding of how cash flow can be improved. He is writing these blogs based on his personal experiences and for the benefit of those looking to “get free and stay free!”
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