There are possibilities for success for everyone. Everyone has dreams and wishes. Some of us speak of what we have done, while others speak of what we wish we had done. (I call this the wish I had). What did the we have done individuals do versus what the wish I had did not do?
Bookstores (brick and mortar and online) are full of books about people who have achieved great things. We tune into interviews of the stars or outstanding performers of the winning team of the Super Bowl, World Series and NBA Finals. The common characteristic of these achievers is that they set goals and took the actions to accomplish their goals.
Our days are full of demands. We work hard to fulfill these demands. However, do you ever ask?
- Am I working toward something or am I just doing what the day or moment demands?
- Am I controlling life or is life controlling me?
- Am I content with where life is leading me or do I want to have a say in this?
- Am I the captain or a mate on my ship?
- Am I setting my agenda or am I a slot on the agenda of others?
Goals serve as our compass in life. The demands and events that we encounter can take us in several directions. Goals define the direction we want to go. They keep us heading North instead of being bounced between East, West and South.
In my coaching practice I use the GROW Model to help clients establish their compasses to point them to where they want to be. The GROW Model was developed by John Whitmore, a renowned performance coach.
- G Goals
- R Reality
- O Options
- W What, When
Setting goals is a 3-step process.
- Record your dreams, wants and possibilities.
- Transform your dreams, wants and possibilities into a vision.
- Establish your goals based on your vision.
Successful individuals, not only set goals, they achieve the goals they establish. After your first pass at setting your goals, subject them to the reality test. Reality is the assessment or acknowledgement of where you are now versus where you want to be (your goals). This assessment helps you determine the size of the gap between where you are now and where you want to be. It helps you distinguish wishes versus goals.
Options are the different paths that you can take to migrate from where you are now to where you want to be. You evaluate each option in terms of what is required, consequences and tradeoffs.
No matter what we say we will do, we will not achieve unless we do something! What and When are the things that you need to do to achieve your goals and when you will do them. (I call this making the rubber hit the road. It is from the Firestone Tires advertisement of the 1960's and 70's.) In the words of John Maxwell, author of several books on leadership, our daily actions are our priorities.
