Goals
The Planning Process
There are hundreds of approaches to planning. The most important
thing, however, is that you find one approach and work with it.
Here's a 4-step model which should be helpful.
1. Assess Needs
You need to decide what you WANT and what you NEED.
- Evaluate your current financial situation. Take a broad look
at the way things are now. You can call this step taking stock,
taking inventory, or even taking a step back to see the big picture.
Whatever you call this step - don't skip it!
- Make two lists: a WANT list and a NEED list.
- As you're deciding what to add to your lists, ask yourself the
following questions:
- Why do I want it?
- How would things be different if I had it?
- What other things would change if I had it? (for better
or worse)
- Which things are truly important to me?
- Does this match my values?
2. Set Goals
The process of setting goals involves turning your NEEDS into goals.
A goal is a very specific result you intend to work toward. You
can have both long-term and short-term goals. You can have goals
for the day, the week, the year and for your lifetime.
3. Make a Plan
It is important to begin to develop a plan for your life. Ask yourself,
"where do I want to be 5, 10 and 20 years from now?" Once you have
this in mind, you can then imagine the actions you need to take
to achieve those goals. The more steps you can visualize, the more
successful you will be in reaching your goals. The next step is
to visualize the order of importance for those steps. What will
you do first, second, ... last?
4. Take Action
The first step to accomplishing your goals is to take action. Many
times goals are not reached because the first step was never taken.
Having a plan, by itself, doesn't mean you will reach your goals.
You must actually do the things listed in your plan. (Just when
you were beginning to think this would be easy!) An important part
of taking action is affirming your goals. It is important to write
them down. In fact, goal setting experts will tell you to post them
around where you will see them. Say them out loud. Share them with
your trusted friends. Seeing them in writing helps them to become
a reality. |
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