goal setting 1

Goals give us a direction; purpose and a way of measuring progress. Characteristics include:

* specific steps
* realistic
* small
* identify stumbling blocks
* avoids drifting

'Who' we become can be more important to us than 'What' we achieve

If our goals are not in line with our values we can notice:
* use of 'should'
* lack of energy / motivation
* lack of follow through / action
* resentment / conflict

We can't align goals to values unless we really know what they are. How can we determine values?

* use a visual pie - ask coachee to slice into what's important to them
* use various value exercises / word prompts
* ask what people they admire and their qualities
* Give a scale of 1-10 to how connected you are to a value in your life right now.

Module notes:

Goals have the power top keep us focused on a purpose

Often a number of goals are simmering at the same time in their personal and business life
Often friends and relatives cannot provide the necessary support
A coach is an objective observer who we can trust to support us in our goals

Goals and values

Start with value based goals; sometimes we tempted to make goals to 'please' friends or family. Value based goals will make them compelling being aligned to areas that matter most to us
Prioritise and give all our energy to the most important.

Be S.M.A.R.T.

Some strategies

• Writing them down
• Review daily
• Avoid goal hijackers - when making decisions ask yourself "will this take me closer or further from the goal"
• Don't be rigid and unable to take up opportunities; keeping focused on your values you can rework goals
• Decide whether your goal is something that you can do alone or whether you need support from others; will you have his/her cooperation
• Phrase your goals in the positive
• Turn your goals into positive affirmations. Writing your goals as if they already have happened is a powerful motivator eg at the end of the year I will have successfully ......
• Only share your goals with those who will support you in achieving them

Creating a process

1. Set a goal
2. List the resources needed to achieve it
3. List the assets you currently have to make it possible
4. Identify any blocks or obstacles standing in the way
5. List any significant milestones to reach along the way (with dates)
6. List the actions required to meet the first milestone by a given date
7. Build in a reward or celebration for when you do reach the goal

Remember the client needs to own them and needs to be allowed to alter the process so that it works best for them

Reflections

Think about a goal that you have set for yourself in the past week. Did you achieve your goal or not?
To have up to date my notes for the ICA course

In light of the points that we have just looked at, why do you think you had this outcome?

It was a SMART goal; I had set out a schedule of steps; didn't allow any hijackers;

If you were going to set yourself the same goal that you listed in the previous discussion how would you define that goal now?

Since I've been successful - In the same way

How can you keep your goals foremost in the front of your mind?

Write them down and review daily