How do you make effective goals? To start, you cannot just write down your goals and put them away somewhere. They are only effective if they remain fresh in your mind. Take out your goals daily, or keep them posted somewhere you will see them constantly. The more they stick in your mind, the more likely you are to follow through...they will stick in your life as well.
Another goal trick I enjoy is to keep a marker board on my fridge. I use it to write down key phrases that remind me what my goals are, or problems I'm having meeting them. One problem I have is procrastination, so I keep the words "Just Do It" on my fridge. Go Nike for that simple yet effective slogan. I also use email or forum signatures the same way, giving myself a little message whenever I see a post of mine. You can use instant messenger status messages, website headlines, anything that you look at repeatedly. Rotate them out regularly, or else you will fall into "familiarity blindness", basically you just stop seeing it. You know you're in it when the saying barely blimps on your radar instead of having the effect it used to. Use words from songs that strike a cord with you, famous quotes, or create your own. One saying I've had to retire for now is "You are responsible for your own experience." While still has depth of meaning, I've used it so much for years that now it doesn't get the desired results. And I do mean years, I would preface many conversations or advice sessions with that saying...I've been saying it since I was a kid. Feel free to use it though if it strikes you.
Some people I know use post it notes to keep track of their goals. They place it on a highly visible surface, commonly the bathroom mirror believe it or not, and then they are always staring them in the face. Personally I wouldn't recommend doing so for a large number of goals, but for a few go right ahead. Unless you enjoy having your bathroom mirror covered in post it notes.
In order to make effective goals, it has to get you to something you want, not something you think you should want. The difference between the two is either getting the goal accomplished or not...there is no real midground. Sure, you might accomplish goals for work that are based on someone else's ideas of what you should be doing, but how is that working for you? Do you feel fulfilled at the end of the day, feeling as if you accomplished a lot of your goals? Or do you get home, flop on the couch, glad that you aren't there anymore? Start writing down the things you want to do, and see how you can accomplish that, step by step.
I find making the goals as small as possible, with an end goal that umbrellas the rest, the easiest way to accomplish things. Especially when I'm not in the mood, feeling sick, or having a rebellous moment. My inner child hates goals, she sees them as restricting...we're working on her. That way I have the instant gratification of accomplishing a piece of the puzzle and feel like I'm getting somewhere. This is a good way if you are just starting on the path to creating the life you've always wanted...if you are already on this path, this might look like child's play. Do what works for you. If your current goal creating strategy is working for you, keep using it. But if nothing you do works, try different ways until you find something that works. Don't feel you have to do it x way because so and so said so...isn't that what got you in this mess in the first place?
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