Goal setting is important whether it is at work, in management, in sports or even just dealing with our personal commitment. With proper goal setting, it not only helps to realize our dreams, it also constantly serves as a motivation to us and also providing us with a sense of direction of where we should be focusing. Without goal setting and resolution, we would not be able to achieve much in the long run. All successful people are able to set and achieve their own goals which will in turn lead them to achieving higher goal setting.

Year 2007 is coming to an end and it is now time to set new goals/resolution for the year 2008. But before doing so, perhaps we should individually review the goal setting we have set for year 2007 and whether or not we have achieved all our goals. If yes, then my congratulations to you, and do keep up the good work, if not, perhaps we should review and understand the reasons for not being able to achieve our goal set for year 2007.

One of the most common reasons for not being able to realize our own dreams is due to the fact that most people often have the wrong misconception about setting dreams. Dreams are very often too unrealistic and not achievable in reality, for instance just merely dreaming to become a millionaire, dream of losing weight, dream of having a well toned body or even dream of having a condo but without actually properly plan and working hard for it will always be waiting for a dream to come true, where they are just waiting for things to happen and the same dream can remain year after year.

However, with proper planning by using SMART goal setting, we are able to quickly realize our dreams by focusing on both short term and long term goals where we are able to bring out our individual potential to its own limits.

Having a real understanding and being able to recognize our current standard, both our weakness and strength is the most crucial in the initial goal setting phase as we will then be able to realistically set goals which we will be able to realize eventually.

SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely. The following are the steps used for setting and realizing our dreams and we will be using Taichi sports to illustrate on the SMART Goal setting procedures.

1. DREAM

2. Breakdown into Goals (Short & Long Term)

3. Breakdown into STEPS

4. Focus on STEPS, seasonal goal will take care of themselves.

BASIC GOAL SETTING

(STEPS)

STEPS Goasl Setting

Goal Setting – Using SMART guideline to help athletes in establishing seasonal goals:

Specific – Goals stated must be specific, behavioral terms, within a given time duration and define standard of success. Plan long term goal follow by mid term goal and finally short term goals to focus on achieving. An example is to achieve kicking above shoulder level in a slow & controlled manner during Taichi routine.

Measurable – Goals must be quantifiable and progress must be measurable. An example is computing the success rate of movement during practices to measure improvement.

Achievable – Goals set must be achievable by athlete’s capability, both physically and mentally.

Realistic – Goals set must be realistic. The above goal set must be realistic with proper training planning by the coach and commitment by the athlete during training.

Timely – Goal set must be timely, that is it must be measurable, realistic and achievable. For example, a time frame of 10 weeks for progress to be seen in the improvement of the above technique is easily achievable by most athletes with proper guidance and commitment during training.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Coach Yip has written various articles relating to Taichi and Sports Science. He has also previously conducted Taichi & Sports Science seminars. Coach Yip took up Taekwondo since young and attained his black belt before he started learning Taichi. He had participated and achieved many medals in various National Wushu Competitions.

Coach Yip is currently NROC registered with the Singapore Sports Council under Wushu/Taichi with a NCAP III certificate. Coach Yip approaches Taichi in a very scientific research based and systematically training system.

Besides giving personal and small group private coaching, he also specializes in Wushu/Taichi coaching for Kids in schools and has previously conducted various Mass Wushu Workout for Kids, ranging from primary to junior college level. To date, more than a thousand students had benefited from his Sports Scientific Wushu & Taichi coaching. For more information, visit www.newagetaichi.com

“Are you equating dreams with goals or do you set goals to get to your dream?” A friend asked me this question recently.

That is a good question. I have known some dynamic clients who are stubborn and never give up. They definitely dream and have a vision. In order to help you identify the difference between a dream, vision, and a goal, listed below are 8 steps to take to achieve your goals.

1. Dream or visualize your goal.

Here are some ways dreaming and visualization work: 1) Entrepreneurs can dream and visualize their goals, 2) Corporate goals generally begin with visualization and they can see the end result of their project and know what it will look like, and 3) Personal goals can be all of the above. For example, if the individual wants a Ferrari he will begin thinking about the car, then dreaming about it such as its color, model, fun to drive, etc. If the person is asked to do a project he will visualize a plan of action to finish the project. There was no dream involved as someone else created the concept.

2. Have a solid, clear picture in your mind of your goal.

Before you can write down a plan of action you should be able to visualize the end result in your mind and then it makes it easier to set up a plan to achieve the goal. It is easier to accomplish if you have a solid picture of it in your mind.

3. Develop your goal/plan.

You nurture the dream until it has real meaning for you. For example for me I had a dream to have a Writers’ Retreat in the Sonoma County Wine Country. Up to this point there was nothing, no plan in place and no specific people in mind. Then I began dreaming. I could visualize 10 writers sitting in the conference room creating their writing plan. I SAW the redwood trees, rustic cottages, and people mingling outside in the garden. It was an awesome visualization and dream. I even created a Visualization Board.

4. Set up a date (target date) to complete your goal.

Decide on a date to achieve your goal. Give yourself as much time as you feel is needed to accomplish your goal.

5. Write down a plan of action based on your target date.

It’s the baby steps it takes to finish the goal. Identify each task needed to complete your goal. It could be phone calling, sending out notices, marketing, Teleseminars, finding a hotel for your event, research, etc. You may have to adjust the target date if the tasks involved will take more time than anticipated. If your goal will take more than six months it is recommended that you have sub-goals that you can finish every quarter so it makes is easier to finish your goal and you won’t lose interest.

6. If you missed your goal, reset the target date and continue until you reach your goal.

Most important: As long as you still believe in the goal you keep on going and never give up. You need to feel PASSION for your dream or it will be difficult to finish. One client who sets 100 goals a year and accomplishes 90% of them told me that she just couldn’t stop. She is obsessed with completing her goals, however she calls them dreams. She is driven. How about you?

7. Find a mentor or buddy that will support you.

This can give you the boost you need in the tough times and be your motivator to help keep you going. Goal setting is not for the timid. A lot of work is involved. A huge commitment is needed on your part. Ignore the naysayer and find those positive people in your life that believe in you and will help you stay focused.

8. Take action and follow your plan.

There is only one person that can complete your goal, YOU! You must take action, overcome obstacles, and follow through on all your action steps. YOU are the Action Task Achiever, only YOU can make your dreams come true. That’s what I like about my dynamic clients. I give them the information they need and they do it! They are motivated. Do you have the passion for your dream? Can you visualize your goal? Do you have a buddy? Are you ready to create a plan of action? If you answered yes, to these questions then congratulations you are ready. Have fun and enjoy the journey.

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In the last few years, goal setting software is becoming more and more popular. Offering ease of use, goal setting software looks like it may transform the way goal setters set goals. But, how does goal setting software compare with setting goals on paper? As you read this article, you will find the benefits of both goal setting systems.

Paper based goal setting systems are used more often than not. There are benefits and negatives to using a paper based goal setting system. Some goal setters like to write goals down on paper, and it can seem like a great idea.

After all, goal setting on paper, allows you to easily refer back to your goal. This is important, because more often you see your goal, more often your focus will be on it.

However, this benefit can work against us. For example, you write your goal on paper. Now that is an extra piece of paper, which often will get into piles of other papers. Now the goal is hidden. It is time to bring it out, but where is it!

Goal setting software is a good alternative, and it allows you to have your goals all in one place. There are many different goal setting software available today. They basically all do the same thing, help you to set goals.

When you look for goal setting software, you will find a difference in focus with some of the goal setting software. Some may focus on a project management system, while others are dedicated to an alternative to ‘To Do’ lists. And yet others focus on actual goal setting which goal setters focus on.

Finding goal setting software to achieve this balance is difficult. Some focus on certain areas, and there is also the fact of trying to figure out which goal setting system is best for your needs. The good point is that many goal setting software companies will have trial versions, allowing you to test to see if the software meets your needs.

Many of these goal setting software packages allow you to print up some form of summary for your goal. This can be ideal, because goal setting often requires setting several goals – some big, some small, and some in between. And you may not want to have all your goals on paper, just the big ones.

One of the biggest problems you will find with goal setting software is that of focus. Having software is great, but it can become like a book in a library – hard to find. Self discipline then must come into focus, so you can enter the software, and keep looking at your goals and working forward on them.

Overall, we have many different ways of working. You may like working your goals on paper, it may seem more like you are setting the goal, whereas some may prefer a software based goal setting software. Either way, it can be hard getting used to a new goal setting system. Either way, you will have the tools for goal setting and goal accomplishment.

Discover more about goal setting software and the goal setting system I use, and get your free bonuses, visit the links now!

What is smart goal setting? And what is a goal setting system? And can they help you to achieve your goals any faster? Join me as we take a look at how smart goal setting and goal setting systems can help you to reach your goals at lightening speed.

Points Covered In This Article:
* What Is Smart Goal Setting?
* What Is A Goal Setting System?
* Putting Smart Goal Setting To Work With A Goal Setting System

* What Is Smart Goal Setting?
If we think of a goal as a time line, we find that we can put an A point and a B point to the equation. We find that we are at A, and our goal is at B. Now in the science of goal setting and achievement, we can think about this statistically.

You can either don’t succeed or you do succeed. And out of the successes, we find that some of the success stories will achieve their goal sooner than another – even for similar goals, with similar circumstances.

We want to focus on those that achieve success quicker. And the reason is simple, it means smart goal setting. And this is what the smart part is – a way to work smarter not harder to get goals achieved in quicker time.

* What Is A Goal Setting System?
A goal setting system is a framework, which works with all your goals. You can apply it to create projects big or small.

A goal setting system can be your own system or someone else’s. And it should first be tried and tested, and then learned off by heart, so you can always use it.

* Putting Smart Goal Setting To Work With A Goal Setting System
Smart + a system to set goals = major success. The reason is simple, and I will go into the equation.

You see, when you get that smart system, you are ultimately moving forward. But, without a system, you can easily get stuck. Well, when the space shuttle is ‘go for launch’, it goes and goes. There is no stopping it, and no room for procrastination. Instead you are moving forward.

A goal setting system is there to constantly provide you with the framework to keep moving forward. A goal setting system is like the parts of a vehicle, the engine, and the wheels.

Your part is to act as the smart fuel. You take action, and the results work, because you always create goals when problems or obstacles present themselves, and you can move forward at lighting speeds!

Find out more about smart goal setting and the goal setting system I use, and get your free eBook worth $7, where I give you the 10 best goal setting ideas. Get your copy by visiting: www.howtogoalset.info

In the last few years, goal setting software is becoming more and more popular. Offering ease of use, goal setting software looks like it may transform the way goal setters set goals. But, how does goal setting software compare with setting goals on paper? As you read this article, you will find the benefits of both goal setting systems.

Paper based goal setting systems are used more often than not. There are benefits and negatives to using a paper based goal setting system. Some goal setters like to write goals down on paper, and it can seem like a great idea.

After all, goal setting on paper, allows you to easily refer back to your goal. This is important, because more often you see your goal, more often your focus will be on it.

However, this benefit can work against us. For example, you write your goal on paper. Now that is an extra piece of paper, which often will get into piles of other papers. Now the goal is hidden. It is time to bring it out, but where is it!

Goal setting software is a good alternative, and it allows you to have your goals all in one place. There are many different goal setting software available today. They basically all do the same thing, help you to set goals.

When you look for goal setting software, you will find a difference in focus with some of the goal setting software. Some may focus on a project management system, while others are dedicated to an alternative to ‘To Do’ lists. And yet others focus on actual goal setting which goal setters focus on.

Finding goal setting software to achieve this balance is difficult. Some focus on certain areas, and there is also the fact of trying to figure out which goal setting system is best for your needs. The good point is that many goal setting software companies will have trial versions, allowing you to test to see if the software meets your needs.

Many of these goal setting software packages allow you to print up some form of summary for your goal. This can be ideal, because goal setting often requires setting several goals – some big, some small, and some in between. And you may not want to have all your goals on paper, just the big ones.

One of the biggest problems you will find with goal setting software is that of focus. Having software is great, but it can become like a book in a library – hard to find. Self discipline then must come into focus, so you can enter the software, and keep looking at your goals and working forward on them.

Overall, we have many different ways of working. You may like working your goals on paper, it may seem more like you are setting the goal, whereas some may prefer a software based goal setting software. Either way, it can be hard getting used to a new goal setting system. Either way, you will have the tools for goal setting and goal accomplishment.

Discover more about goal setting software and the goal setting system I use, and get your free bonuses, visit the links now!