Last week, I wrote ten items on my TO-DO list, I was pumped, my energy level was awesome, I was focused like the eagle. Then stuff happened, my day ended with only four items achieved on my TO-DO list. I know I’m not alone on this one.

Goal setting is easier said than done. But it’s better to have goals you’re working on than have none. The basics of setting goals is an open secret known by top-caliber athletes, successful businessmen and businesswomen and all types of achievers in all the different fields. The basics of setting goals give you short-term and long-term motivation and focus. They help you set focus on the acquisition of required knowledge and help you to plan and organize your resources and your time so that you can get the best out of your life.

“To Walk 30 mins a day, 5 Days a Week”

Setting clearly defined short-term and long-term goals will give you the right parameters to measure your progress and achieve personal satisfaction once you have successfully met your goals. Charting your progress will also enable you to actually see the stages of completion leading to the actual realization of your goals. This eliminates the feeling of a long and pointless grind towards achieving your goal. Your self-confidence and level of competence will also improve as you will be more aware of your capabilities as you complete or achieve your goals.

Setting Your Priorities Right starts with sorting out what exactly do you want to do with your life. In my case, I decided to get married early and started my family early. Same with my career, I was crystal clear about my desire to become a Human Capital Strategist.

Goal Setting amplified my clarity to the extent of helping my decision-making process easier.  The culture of goal setting involves deciding what you really want to do with your personal life and what short-term and long-term goals you need to achieve it. Then you have to break down goals into the smaller and manageable targets that you must complete in your way to achieving your lifetime targets. Once you have your list, waste no time in tackling your goals.

A good way to have a manageable SMART list is to have a daily and weekly set of goals. By doing this you will always be in the position of going towards your Big Hairy Audacious Goals (BHAG). Everyday will give you the opportunity to fulfill a certain goal giving you the feeling of accomplishment.

Here are some pointers that should be taken into consideration in setting goals and achieving them.

ATTITUDE plays a very big role in setting and achieving your goals. You must ask yourself if any part of you or your mind is holding you back towards completing your simplest goals? If there are any part of your behavior that is being a hindrance or puts your plans into disarray? If you do have problems in these areas then the immediate thing to do is to address these problems.

GREAT CAREERS ARE MADE BY GOOD TIME MANAGEMENT PRACTICE. Failing in a career is often attributed to bad time management. Careers require a lot from an individual which often makes the career the life of the individual. Plan how far you want to go in your career.

EDUCATION is key in achieving your goals. If your goals require you to have a certain kind of degree or require a certain specialization or demand certain SKILLS to be developed, make plans in getting the appropriate SKILLSET.

Your FAMILY should never be left out of your plans. If you are just starting out then you have to decide if you want to be a parent or when you want to be a parent. You also have to be certain if you really would be a good parent and how well would you relate to extended family members.

PERSONAL FINANCIAL situations also play a major role in achieving your goals. Have a realistic goal on how much you really want to earn. You also must be able to create plans or stages by which you will be able to reach your earning potential.

Physically gifted individuals may be able to achieve sports related goals like being in the National Basketball association or National Football League. Determining your physical capabilities should be one of your priorities. Physical limitations could however be conquered with proper planning.

As the saying goes -‘All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy’, or something to that effect, is, by all means, true down to the last the letter. Giving yourself a little pleasure: should be included into your plans.

To start achieving your lifetime goals, set a quarter of a century plan, then break it down to 5-year plans then break it down again to 1-year plans, then 6-month plans then monthly plans, then weekly, then daily.

Then create your TO-DO list for the day. Always review your plans and prepare for contingencies.
You are the programmer. When you’re setting goals and priorities, you’re actually writing the codes for how your life will eventually turn out.  Set priorities, organize, and EXECUTE them.

Leke Oshiyemi is the Lead Consultant/CEO @Rekrut Consulting Ltd. RC.1088540.
Career Influencer Award Winner 2020 (By The WorkBooth Magazine)
Cornell University, NY Alumni, Masters, UNILAG, Public Administration (Human Resources) BA, Philosophy, O.O.U. ACIPM, NITAD, HRMP – SHRM. Former Employee Engagement & Partnerships Mgr., HR Business Partner, HRM with Nigerian Breweries Plc, Consolidated Breweries Pls, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc respectively. Leke is a reputable HR Consultant, Trainer, and Recruiter. He has over 20 years of work experience spanning the manufacturing, services, and the financial sector of the Nigerian economy.

Leke is on a mission to help develop Africa’s human capital and help advance businesses. He also aims to help empower 10,000 people in the next 5 years to start, grow, scale profitable and successful careers or businesses using marketable skills, channels, and strategies. He regularly publishes articles and speaks on Corporate Culture, Strategy, Capacity Development, Careers & Entrepreneurship.

Rekrut Consulting Limited (RC.1088540) Since 2012.
The Human Capital Development Company
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