What is goal setting? It is difficult to act without a clear picture of where you are going (Boldt 2001).

Goal setting is a process we use to define where we want to go and set up the steps it takes to get there. Goals help us get to points in our lives where we want to be.

Types of Goal: Developing a new skill or improving current skills. Beating old habits, or developing better ones. Producing an outcome, achieving a dream.

The way each of these types of goals are treated is different some are short term, others are medium to long term, some have a clear direction to achieve them, others may have a more torturous path, and some are naturally easier than others to achieve. Goals can also be:

Big-picture goals your end destination as defined by the Big-Picture' Statements for your various life aspects. These goals are typically not achievable in one simple step there is a journey to be taken to get there. Milestone Goals these are the series of goals that will take you to your destination. Mini Goals milestone goals may need to be broken down into bitesize chunks to make them more manageable.

This is shown diagrammatically as follows, where you can see that your BigPicture is achieved through a few long-term milestone goals, which are achieved through several medium-term goals, which are achieved through many short-term mini goals.

Types of Goals Like climbing a mountain, you need to start at the bottom with the minigoals before you can get to the top. This is just recognizing that it takes time and effort to achieve your goals, but achieving the mini-goals along the way keeps you inspired to continue theyre like stepping stones down the river of life or the traffic lights along your road to success! You need all types of goals. Too many Big-Picture goals can be daunting and it is difficult to measure progress against. Too many mini-goals can make you lose sight of the big picture, but they keep you heading towards your big picture if done right. So you need the right mixture of each, and this will depend on your specific goal. As an example, youre Big Picture might include to become fit and healthy. A milestone goal might therefore be to lose 10kg or to jog 5km in under 30 minutes. Mini-goals might then be along the lines of lose 2kg or walk 5km without stopping these goals are steps in the right direction towards both the milestone goals and ultimate big-picture. Once the mini-goals have been achieved youll get a great sense of satisfaction as you have leaped onto the first stepping stone towards your

big-picture, so use this motivation to set the next set of mini-goals to put into action!

Why is goal setting important? People benefit from realizing the need for realistic goals. They may not be able to get where they want to be fast enough, so they begin to work harder, their stress levels increase, and motivation soon decreases. For students to be successful, they should identify clear, concise, and realistic goals. Patience is important in goal setting. Not only is it important to take classes at the recommended level and not to attempt courses that require skills the student has not yet attained, but to remember life is a marathon, not a sprint. Plan accordingly, pace yourself, and dont race unnecessarily to the finish. Examples of goal setting strategies Successful goal setting can include:

Set and write the goals down Look at the goals everyday Identify obstacles that will hinder the achievement of the goal Create an action plan to reach the goal Prioritize goals

Steps of achieving goal: The first step to achieving your goals is to get them properly defined, so this is an important step in goal achievement essentially, your goals should be SMART; that is... S M A R TIn short Your goals don't just materialize out of thin air. Ideally, they are grown from (and are consistent with) your values, beliefs, desires, and your sense of purpose. If a GOAL is the specific 'What,' then PURPOSE is the 'Why' and VALUES are the 'How' -- the rules of conduct. A VISION comes into focus, providing a crystal-clear picture of the desired outcome. MISSION connects future to present, and moves one to create ways to realize the Vision. Specific Measureable Achievable Realistic Time-Tabled

GOALS are the specific objectives, attainment of which makes the Mission a success. These components have a linked flow, one to another, which looks like this GOAL SETTING: Values -> Purpose -> Mission -> Vision -> Action VALUES 'Values' leads the list, because your values are the common thread that runs through all the steps and all of life. Again, values are the "how" of the process. Your values decide how you react to things, events, and people -- what makes you content or angry, cry or laugh. Your values form the basis for every decision you make, from the clothes you wear to the vocation you choose. Every one of us is a living, breathing, values statement. What we choose to surround ourselves with and how we treat others. Values also determine what we become. A person who highly values harmony is not likely to be a trial lawyer. A person committed to healthy living could never morally allow herself to work for a cigarette manufacturer, unless a higher value (like not starving) interceded. And your values are the key influencers in how you perceive your purpose. PURPOSE Purpose is what gives everything else meaning. It is the "why" in your life. ("Why am I working xx hours a week?" Hint: "To pay the bills" is not the answer we're looking for.) Purpose alludes to a 'higher calling' or ultimate end, and it transcends the individual. Have a reason for living that is bigger than you. For most, it's about making a difference and leaving the world a better place. Which is what allows our species to propagate -- we junk up the world, we won't last VISION Vision is a picture of what can be realized, true to and because of your purpose. A vision is something which can be seen clearly -and can be described in great detail. It is the guiding star, or template against which you compare ideal to real -- what can be to what is. You can and should be visionary in each significant area of your life Vision is where the spark resides. It is an image so compelling, so desirable, that it draws energy and motivation to it. It is Pinnochio as a little boy. It is men strolling on the moon. It is that oasis in the desert. It is once sickly children, now free of leukemia instead of dead.

Vision is a crystal ball's view into the future, be it one, five, fifty, or twohundred years from now. Vision is how you infect others with your enthusiasm for what you know is possible. You have visited your Utopia, and sent them a postcard saying "Wish you were here." So the time has come to plot the course. MISSION I'm on a mission!" Missions are the big, bold, challenging objectives leading to the realization of your vision. They are the targeted campaigns which 'get the juices flowing' in yourself and others. A mission focuses attention and resources upon a specific desired outcome within a given time frame. A mission is also known as a 'big hairy audacious goal' with a sense of urgency. Unlike goals, though, you should have only one mission active at a time, per vision for each distinct area of your life. And even then, they're prioritized. Prime examples of mission are: "...before the decade is out, to land a man on the moon and return him safely." "...to wipe out lung cancer in our lifetime." "...to have the winningest record this season of any team in the league." "...by three years from now, author a book which makes it onto the NY Times Bestseller list." ACTION -- You've planned your work, now work your plan. The unambiguous 'who, what, when, where, how, and how much' definitions of specific tasks. Physical activity starts the process moving; and be sure to complete each small step you're taking. How Goals should be? Goals must be quantifiable or measurable Goals must be stated in quantifiable or measurable terms. Goals track the companys progress on a regular basis through quantifiable measures. Measurable goals facilitate management planning, implementation, and control. Goals must be measurable, or theyre only good intentions. The following examples are not a measurable goal:

My goal is to do better next year. Increasing revenues Improve liquidity, solvency, credit and collection policies

Improve efficiency and productivity Achieve and maintain superior customer service Improve labor relations, human resource development and training Improve internal communications Redirect or restructure available resources Improve distributor and/or supplier relationships Improve marketing, advertising and public relations Capitalize on physical facilities (location, capacity, etc.) Improve organizational structure

Goals must be realistic Goals must be realistic, or they are a set up for failure. Set goals you know you can reach. For many people emotionally, goal setting equals failure. If you do not have an average track record, be sure and set goals that are realistic. Do not set unrealistically high goals, because they may end up discouraging people. (Bobb Beihl) Goals must be consistent Goals must maintain consistency and focus. Conflicting objectives cause frustration and lack of focus. An example of an inconsistent goal is longterm market share increase and high current profits. Goals should be in pencil Goals should be in pencil, or they become concrete boxes and are used like whips. Dont see goals as whips. You dont have to reach every goal to make a significant difference. Another reason goals should be in pencil, is because nobody knows whats going to happen tomorrow. The economy may fall, or surge. Goals are based on today, and they may need to change tomorrow. Goal setting should result in short-term, and longer-term performance targets. Short-range goals focus organizational attention on the need for immediate performance improvements and outcomes. Long-range goals focus organizational attention on what to do now to put the company in position to perform well over the longer term. (Thompson Strickland, p.7) Regardless of the type of goal, it is important for the company to view goals as motivational targets, and exciting, measurable milestones for the future. It is suggested that a company has a maximum of 2 goals per objective area. Your organization must decide the time frame that fits your team best. The following are some examples: Short-Term Goals (Specific, realistic, measurable) Ask the question: In the next 0-1 year, what are our specific, measurable targets of accomplishment? Short-term goals serve as stair steps or milestones. Short-term goals indicate the speed at which the company is progress as well as the level of performance being aimed for over the year. Remember,

they are targets, not whips. Short-term goals focus on such areas as: specific goals for the next year regarding sales, profits, market share; marketing strategy; anything innovative that you plan. These should be very specific. The short-range goals become the foundation for your vision. Long-Term Goals What Is The Difference Between A Mission Statement And A Vision Statement? Goal setting will help you to excel in the new year. Taking time to create a step by step process to help meet your goals will send a clear message to your whole company as to which direction you want to head this year. A mission statement tells what business you are in and what products and services you offer. It is a clear statement of purpose. A mission statement may last for decades. A vision statement transforms the organization. It provides a picture of what could be. It is a catalyst that can impel an organization to move toward that dream. As dreams come true or realities change, visions change. It is a goal of the highest order. Both people and organizations need to establish a strategic framework for significant success. This framework consists of: a mission that defines your organization and its purpose, a vision on how what you want to become in the future, Milestones that zero in on your success, and Goals and action plans to guide your daily, weekly and monthly actions. Your organizations success and your personal success depend on how well you define and live by each of these important concepts. Today we will discuss the difference between a Mission Statement and a Vision Statement and what part each of these play in your success

MissionStatement Mission or Purpose is a precise description of what an organization does. It should describe the business the organization is in. It is a definition of why the organization exists currently. Each member of an organization should be

able to verbally express this mission. A Mission Statement defines the organizations purpose and primary objectives. A Mission Statement answers the following three questions: What do we do? How do we do it? For whom do we do it? Mission Statement Creation 1. To create your mission statement, first identify your organizations winning idea. This is what you do that makes you unique from your competitors. It is the reason why customers want to work with you rather than your competition. Your winning idea is not only what you make or do, but it involves knowing your customer and their needs and how your product or service fulfills those needs. Your winning idea is what you do to make your customers lives better. 2. Next identify how you accomplish your winning idea. This will take into account what you make to do and how you get it to your customers. The answer to How we do it should fit the need that the customer fulfills to you when they purchase your product or service. This will define the key measures of your success. 3. Though many small business owners would like to believe otherwise, not everyone is a potential customer. Customers will almost always have both demographic and geographic limitations. When starting out, it is generally a good idea to define the demographic characteristics (age, income, etc.) of customers who are likely to buy and then define a geographic area in which your business can gain a presence. 4. Combine your winning idea, you success measures, and your customer into a tangible and measurable goal.

5. Refine the words until you have a concise and precise statement of your mission, which expresses your ideas, measures and desired result and inspires your organization. An example of a Mission Statement from Dole Foods: Dole Food Company, Inc. is committed to supplying the consumer and our customers with the finest, high-quality products and to leading the industry in nutrition research and education. Dole supports these goals with a corporate philosophy of adhering to the highest ethical conduct in all its business dealings, treatment of its employees, and social and environmental policies. Vision Statements A vision is a statement about what your organization wants to become. It should resonate with all members of the organization and help them feel proud, excited, and part of something much bigger than themselves.

A vision should stretch the organizations capabilities and image of itself. It gives shape and direction to the organizations future. Your Vision Statement answers the following questions: What What What What does success look like? will our business look like in 3 to 5 years from now? new things do we intend to pursue? future customer needs do we want to satisfy?

Vision Statement Creation 1. First identify your organizations Mission Statement which includes an analysis of who your customers are and the needs you fulfill for them. 2. Next, identify what you, your customers and other stakeholders will value most about how your organization will achieve this mission. These are the key values that your organization has or should have. 3. Combine your mission and values, and polish the words until you have a vision statement inspiring enough to energize and motivate people inside and outside your organization.

ASK Principle.

A Attitude S Skill K Knowledge

Attitude: right attitude is the most important thing a person should have. Skill and Knowledge come second and third. I have heard so many times people talk about attitude. Management says, if we could get a person with right attitude, we can train them. Right attitude have lot of advantages.

He/she could be a good learner, listener, team player, communicator etc. Even if you dont have these qualities, there are 100% chances to learn/practice these all. Everyone will encourage you. All will be interested to interact with you.

As I mentioned Skill & Knowledge follow Attitude. If you have better Skills and better Knowledge and dont have a better Attitude then there in no use of it.

So practice to have a better Attitude.

1) It helps you set barriers. Setting clear, solid goals for yourself gives you a firm fenceline. It creates an invisible barriers, whereby you decide what you want, how you will get it, and what you will no longer allow to distract you from your goals.

2) It helps you discover new interests. Have you ever felt bored with your life? Many people find that setting goals forces them to take a look at their life with new eyes. Maybe your old goals just dont matter to you any longer. Perhaps there are new things youd like to learn or do. Setting goals will help clear all this up for you.

3) It motivates you to do more. Just as setting goals will help you discover new interests or desires, it can also be a great source of motivation. Setting new goals will help you see areas of your life where you are slacking. It can help you realize that your time is running short on completing certain things. Goal setting is great motivation.

4) It creates a sense of responsibility to yourself. Goal setting will help you realize that if you are to accomplish anything, it is totally up to you. You can no longer blame others for your failures or lack. Getting what you want is totally up to you.

5) It helps you grow. The biggest reason for setting any goal is to experience personal growth. If youre not, you might need to rethink your goals. Goal setting encourages you to become better at something, or learn something new, or finish something you started