Ready Set Go(als)

“You may have noticed that it seems to take an eternity to complete something you aren’t working on.” Ernie Zelinksi

Ask yourself this: When was the last time you set a goal and actually achieved it? What made it successful? How did you feel about being able to actually finish something you started?

We all know that setting goals – knowing where you want to be and what you want to achieve – is critical to personal success and fulfillment.

But all that goal setting won’t amount to much if you don’t have a plan for actually doing something about it! Because goal setting is nothing more than the objective that you’re working toward. But goal planning is the specific actions you’re going to take to get there.

When you identify goals for what you want to achieve, do you make a plan for reaching those goals? A sense of purpose is essential to success and effectiveness. Those without a clear idea not only of what they’re doing but why they’re doing it will not have the foundation to keep going in the face of change or challenge.

The unfortunate truth is that most people have trouble taking consistent action towards their goals. At some point, their resolve breaks down, and their good intentions go by the wayside. They run into an unexpected challenge or self-sabotaging behavior.

“You’ll never plough a field by turning it over in your mind.” Irish Proverb

There are a gazillion definitions of what it means to “set a goal.” This one sums up the others pretty well: the process of deciding what you want to achieve.

In general, we set goals because we want to achieve something. For example:

• Try something
• Fix something
• Start something
• Finish something
• Change something
• Become something

The “something” is the goal you want to achieve.

We all set goals nearly every day even if we don’t realize it. When you make a grocery list, you’ve decided to restock the pantry and the fridge. When you get up in the morning, do you think about what you need to do that day? Do the laundry, get the kids to school, walk the dog, go to work: these are all things you’ve decided to do. Maybe you made a budget because you decided to watch your spending or save money for an exciting vacation. And how about those Honey Do lists? Definitely a goal-setting activity.

And what’s the penultimate goal-setting exercise? New Year’s Resolutions. We pick something we want to be, do, have, or change in the coming year. From losing weight to saving money to meditating daily, these are all examples of “setting goals.”

But deciding what you want to be, do, have, or change and actually doing something about it are two very different things. And why?

Because goal setting is nothing more than the objective that you’re working toward. But goal planning is the specific actions you’re going to take to get there.

A goal without a plan is just a wish. It’s only a “wouldn’t it be nice to” be, do, have, or change this “something” in our lives.

But you can’t “just do” a goal. Instead, you must actually plan the “just do” to achieve it.

So, what’s missing? The fundamental elements of goal planning that will enable us to achieve the goal: the what, when, how, and why:

• WHAT do I want to achieve?
• WHEN do I want to achieve it?
• HOW am I going to achieve it?
• WHY do I want to achieve it?

Here’s an example of the difference between goal setting and goal planning.

Goal setting: “I want to lose weight.” Maybe a worthy goal, but that’s all – it’s still just a wish.

Goal planning:

• WHAT: I will lose 15 pounds.
• WHEN: By October 1.
• HOW: I will change my eating habits and start an exercise plan.
• WHY: Because I want to fit into the bridesmaid dress and feel great about how I look. I’ll also feel mentally and physically healthier with my new lifestyle!

Notice that we’ve defined the goal in detail: what, when, how, why. Now we have a clear, concise statement about not only what we’ve decided to do, but we also have a roadmap – a plan – for successfully making it happen.