7 Categories for Setting Goals

When we’re making resolutions for a New Year we usually hone in on those things we know we should do and those things we’d like to have. Maybe that’s why the efforts to achieve most resolutions are abandoned by the end of February.

Most of the goals we set are closer to wishes. We hope they will happen, but we really don’t believe they will. Could be we believe they can happen, but we’re not willing to invest in the hard work required to make them happen. As mentioned in last week’s e-Letter, if you have a strong reason why a resolution should be kept and a plan that you know you can stick to, your chances of success are high.

The following are some high-impact categories that we should consider when deciding where we should focus our goal-setting, resolution-making effort.

1. Health and Fitness - Many believe that this is the most important area to consider when it comes to setting personal goals. Regardless of the material possessions we may have, if we’re not vital enough to enjoy them or put them to good use, then they really don’t have much personal value.
   
   A healthy lifestyle is a great place to start. Proper nutrition, good life habits and a consistent fitness program are beneficial areas of focus. Pick a health and fitness goal that has meaning to you and make a plan to achieve it.
   
   
2. Work - The work that we do is a very important part of who we are. Ideally, we should all be doing work that we are good at, that we enjoy and we should be doing our work in a place that we enjoy. If this scenario isn’t true for you yet, begin setting some goals that will help get you there.
   
   This area may require some extra thinking before getting started. Reading the article on Finding Your Best Work may be a good place to start.
   
   
3. Relationships - This is a big category and by far one of the most important. Everyone has many different relationships. The quality of these relationships has a huge impact on the quality of our lives. We have relationships with spouses or significant others, with children, with parents, with the rest of the family, with friends, with co-workers, with bosses, with employees, with customers, with vendors and suppliers, with contractors, with bankers and lawyers, with doctors and dentists, and with ourselves.
   
   How healthy are your relationships? Do any of them need work? Is the needed work important enough to become a goal? Maybe improving a relationship is a long-term goal. Are there short-term goals or steps that can be taken immediately to help accomplish this?
   
   Goals in this area aren’t necessarily easy, but the positive payoffs are huge. Pick a relationship that needs work and make a commitment to make it better.
   
   
4. Finances - This is another good-sized category and, again, one of the most important. It includes the income we earn, the income we want to earn, the way we spend what we earn, the way we save and invest what we earn, the worthwhile causes we support, and the way we feel about money in general. I’m sure there is at least one worthwhile goal in this group.
   
   
5. “Me Time” - The sometimes-hectic activity of living our lives makes this a very important category to consider when setting personal goals. We all need time to ourselves, time to rejuvenate, time to decompress, time to learn, and time to just “be.” A “me time” goal is an important one for all of us. Make yours one that makes sense for you. Make taking care of yourself one of your highest priorities – or none of the rest of your goals will be enjoyable.
   
   
6. Spiritual - For some, this may be the highest of priorities when it comes to personal goal setting. Whether we’re religious or not, each of us has a spiritual side that needs attention. It’s our personal connection to the fact that we’re not in this alone. Whatever your beliefs, spend some time in this very valuable area.
   
   
7. Service to Others – Whether we’re willing to admit it or not helping others gives us all a good feeling. There are plenty of organizations, religious groups, charities, and service clubs that are in the business of helping those that they consider less fortunate. Find one with a purpose that you consider meaningful and get involved. If you’d rather not be part of a structured group, look around your community. There is always something that can be done to help.
   

Identify the areas most important to you, set some goals and have some fun. You’re in charge of making this a great life for yourself. To borrow a marketing slogan for a popular line of sports products, “Just Do It!”

(c) 2006 Brian Silverthorn

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brian Silverthorn is a business growth specialist and success coach. He spends his time helping people build and grow successful businesses. To learn more please visit www.feedthegoodwolf.com and www.forbusinesssuccess.com.

NOTE: You're welcome to reproduce this article online or in print as long as it remains complete and unaltered (including the "About the Author" information at the end), and you send a copy of your reprint to bsilverthorn@feedthegoodwolf.com.

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