How to Get Where you Want to Go

You could fill a small library with books about goal setting. It seems like every major self help program, writer, website, etc. all have an emphasis on goal setting. Don’t get me wrong, it is very important. But odds are you already know how to do it. You do it all the time, every time you get in the car!

Take a few moments to examine how you get to any place you want to go. This is the basic formula for goal setting.

   1. Where are you now?

      Even the very best maps, directions, or plans are useless if you have no idea where you are now. How can you possibly decide where you want to go if you don’t first realize you aren’t there now? How can you know which way to turn, what actions to take?

      It seems obvious, but this is the first major realization people must have before they can goal set. They have to realize there is a difference between where they want to be and where they are now. Many people choose to go through life without realizing the difference between where they are and someplace they would like to go, so they never goal set.

   2. Where do you want to go?

      Clearly define where it is that you want to go. Get the address! You have to be specific or you cannot make a plan for how to get there. At the same time you need to make sure it is a realistic destination. If you have one tank of gas and little other resources, a cross-country trip is probably not attainable.
      Goals must be specific and they must be measurable. You must be able to know exactly when you get there; otherwise it is just wishful thinking. goals must also be achievable (challenging, but achievable). If you do not believe you can achieve it, you will not take the necessary actions.

   3. Ask for directions

      If you are going someplace new, it is always a good idea to get directions from someone who has been there before. They may know shortcuts, pitfalls to avoid, or other tips and tricks for getting there. This is a great way to avoid traffic!

      It is conventional wisdom that we learn from our mistakes. That is true enough but it is better to learn from other peoples’ mistakes. Find a mentor, someone who has done what you want to do and model them. Learn to think like they think, to act like they act…and you will achieve the results they achieved. If you do it right, you’ll get better results even faster than they did because you will avoid the mistakes they made.

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   4. Make your plan

      Make your final decisions on how you are going to get there. What highway will you take? Where do you need to turn? If it is a big trip, you’ll want to break it down into smaller pieces. This is just setting up your directions, knowing which roads you will take, which way to turn when you get to some pre-defined turning point (a smaller goal).

      Sit down and write out what actions you need to take to get where you want to go. Start with the big steps and then go back through and flesh out details. If you want to change careers, you may need to go back to school…to go back to school you will need to pick a school, apply for financial aid, register for classes, buy books, etc.

   5. Take action

      Turn the key! You won’t get anywhere unless you actually take actions to get yourself there.

      One of my favorite quotes is from Will Rogers. He said that “even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there”. You have to take the first small step, then the next, then the next. Focus on the next step in the line; don’t let yourself get caught up in stuff far away on the horizon.

   6. Track your progress

      If you make a wrong turn, but you never check your map…what will happen? You will end up somewhere totally different from where you wanted to go. Odds are it will be an unpleasant place. You must frequently look for landmarks, check your map, and make sure that you are going the right way.

      goals should have landmarks, too. You should plan in small victories so that you know you are on the right track. In our above school example, getting your acceptance letter from the school of your choice is a great landmark. So is getting your financial aid award letter, and so is getting your books. Take joy in these small victories, and reward yourself.

   7. Adjust as needed

      If you do make a wrong turn, backtrack to the last known “good” spot, and get back on the map. If need be, stop and ask directions. Don’t let yourself get used to where you ended up and decide it is good enough!

      We all make mistakes. Don’t beat yourself up. Back up and try again or call your mentor and talk things over with them. Most people fail to reach their goals because they get halfway there, hit a setback, and just decide this is good enough.

There you have it; you have known how to do it all along. You just didn’t realize it. So go out and make your goals a reality!