Setting Goals: What Do You Really Want?

Posted on January 7, 2010 by Arlene

by Derik Mocke…

ezine20100106_goalsSetting Goals is the cornerstone of motivation…but only if they reflect your highest values and your deepest desires

A Step-By-Step ProcessBefore you embark on any goal setting exercise, ask yourself this question, “What Do I Really want?”

And don’t assume that the first answer that jumps into your head is the right one. What you think you want might not be what you REALLY want.

If you are a sales person, you might think that you want to double your sales. However, deep down, what you really want might be to run a guesthouse at a seaside village. Or to help orphans find a new home.

Or you might be in a job or relationship where you can?t express yourself.

Goals that take you further along a path of what you do NOT really want will be very hard to achieve and it will not inspire and motivate you.

In my experience of doing this exercise with many people, I?ve realized that most people think they know what their goals should be, but when they do some self-reflection and determine their values, they realize that what they were chasing all along is not what they really want deep within themselves.

So questions to ask before you set your goals might include:
• “What do I want my life to be all about?”
• “I create the best results in my life when…”
• “If I knew I could not fail, I would…”
• “If I don’t have to work for a living, I would…

These types of questions will open your mind and lead you closer to what you really want.

Here are 40 more self-awareness questions to further open your mind. Take your time and answer them from your heart, not your head!

Setting Goals That Reflect Your Values
The next thing you should do before setting goals is to determine your values. Here is an exercise to determine your values.

If your goals do not reflect your highest values, you would struggle to find the inspiration that drives you almost effortlessly towards them.

If your highest value is “Time Freedom”, you might want to consider building that into your goals. Or if it is “Creativity”, you might want look at things that reflect your creative side.

So determining your values is a vital exercise to do with goal setting. It will guide you to what you need to change in your life or where your focus should be. It is also useful to reflect back on your values after you’ve identified your goals.

Remember, it is important to know what you really want before you start setting goals. Goal setting is the most powerful way of unleashing your full potential…but only if it reflects your deepest desires and values that comes from your heart.

About the Author:
Derik’s life purpose is to help people, groups and companies to find their energy and zest for life.

ezine100106_goalsettingebookHis new ebook, “A Guide To Inspirational Goal Setting” , guides you through a trusted and proven step-by-step process to identify your deepest desires. At the end of the process, you will have identified three inspiring goals that reflect your highest values. Click here for more info…


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One Response to Setting Goals: What Do You Really Want?

  1. Dan says:
    January 24, 2010 at 9:59 am

    If you’d like a tool for setting your goals, you can use this web application:

    http://www.Gtdagenda.com

    You can use it to manage your goals, projects and tasks, set next actions and contexts, use checklists, schedules and a calendar.
    A Vision Wall (inspiring images attached to yor goals) is available too.
    Works also on mobile.

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