Setting goals - back to basics

"By failing to plan, you are planning to fail"

Introduction

People constantly say that they understand the importance of setting goals. 'By failing to plan we are planning to fail'. A simple concept. However according to research conducted in the States only 5% of us set goals continually. One could therefore conclude that although most of us understand the theory very few of us put this theory into practice. This fact sheet focuses on how we, as individuals, need to set goals and sets out to find out how, in practical terms this is achieved. Within the fundraising arena we constantly see how individuals make the difference between the successes of failure of an event. Successful people are more often than not compulsive goal setters.

Why do people not set goals?

Fear that by setting a goal we are sure to fail
No idea of how to set goals (i.e. from family or from our education)

Why set goals

Goals give us a clear idea of what we are trying to achieve.
They give other people a clear idea of what we are trying to achieve.
By having goals we are able to plan what we need to do to achieve these goals: more people, more time, more resources etc.
They allow us to benchmark our progress.

This allows us two things:

To be able to compliment ourselves on the success, no matter how small;
To see potential problems before they actually exist and therefore goals are a tool to avoid crisis.

Note

The bad news is that it is unlikely that we are going to be successful in everything we do. Therefore failure is an indispensable prerequisite to success. The good news is that if you can find a way to not fear failure you will be able to learn, grow and succeed quickly.

Your persistence is the measure of how much you believe in yourself.

How to set goals

Goals must be:

Achievable. They must be real. You must believe that you have the ability to achieve these goals.
They must be something you really want. Without passion you will not find ways to achieve your goals.
They must be flexible. Often when we set goals other opportunities may happen along the way and if they offer a better solution or opportunity we must be able to refine your goals.
Goals must be challenging. They must not frighten you they must excite you!
Next Step
Make one goal at a time (especially if this is the first time you are setting goals?
Writing down your goals

The goal format

Your goals

Write down in minute detail that your goal is.
Write down what you need to achieve these goals: time, further education, training, resources, people, volunteers, technology, brainstorming, strategy paper, business plan.
Write down how you/your organisation will benefit from these goals write all the reasons you can think of as to why this is a worthwhile goal. The more reasons the higher the motivation. For teams get the members of your team to do the same. What problems do you think you will encounter. Write these down clearly, be they personality problems with staff, lack of resources etc. Everything will have obstacles, knowing what these are keeps the mole hill a mole hill not a mountain!!!
Set deadlines. What is the deadline for this goal? Having time limits allows you to decide whether you have set achievable goals, what needs to change, or in fact when to pat yourself on the back.

Why not start now?

Further notes on using this format

If you have several goals prioritise them.
From the format make a plan. Be prepared to keep updating and rewriting this plan.
In groups make sure you get input.

This will:

Sort out any goals that are not in harmony with overall goals (be they personal or organisational) and
Give you insights into people's expectations,
Give you a common goal and allow others to know what it is expected.
Visualise what the outcome is that you want.
Use this even in simple events e.g. if you are going to a meeting, what is it that you want from this meeting.
Be Positive
Make sure you congratulate yourselves and others when goals are achieved, no matter how small.
Keep looking at the paper you have written and address and re-write as and when necessary.
Surround yourself with like-minded goal setters.
Complete each task.
Take time out. Being exhausted or bored will not lead to achieving success. Enjoying what we do and taking time to analyse what we are good at as well as what we need to improve on will help in achieving goals. Taking lunch, going for a walk, doing some exercise will help you to think clearly, which is what creating and achieving goals is all about.

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