Ten Questions to Ask After Setting Your Goals

Lots of people set goals.

Far fewer achieve them.

There are a lot of reasons why that happens, not the least of which is that people treat the goal setting process as an achievement; which it isn’t really. We don’t set goals as the outcome. We set goals to get goals. (Tweet That) Yes, setting them is a necessary first step, but achieving them is the real purpose, isn’t it?

So I propose that you ask yourself these ten questions (and answer them of course) to inform your plan for achievement of your goals. If, as you read this, you have goals that aren’t on track for achievement, ask these questions now. While the best time to ask them is as soon as you have set the goal, whenever you ask them will inform you, redirect you, and improve your chances of achieving any goal.

Here is the list . . .

• Why is achieving this goal important to me? This is the most important question of all. Without a clear and compelling reason why, you likely won’t do what is necessary to reach the goal. Answer this question and keep your answer clearly focused in your mind.
• What will success look like? Visualize the end result in a three-dimensional way. Think about what you will be seeing, feeling, hearing and smelling when you reach this goal. This question helps your brain picture success in a more real way.
• How will I benefit from reaching this goal? This connects the first two questions together and helps you see the value in the work and effort required to achieve your goal.
• What is my first step? There is always a first step. It may be small, or it may be large. Actually if it is a small step, it gets you going. Either way, without a step you will stay right where you are.
• What step will take me furthest, fastest? I love the first step question but this is about leverage. You want to get moving, but you also want to move intelligently.
• Who can help me achieve it? No person is an island. What tools and resources do others have that can assist you in reaching your goal?
• Who will support me? If you have cheerleaders – people who believe in you and your ability to reach this goal – you might share it with them. Thinking about this early is very helpful.
• Who won’t support me? This list may be more important than the last one. Don’t let the nonbelievers taint your attitude, energy and belief. These people don’t need to hear about your goal. Just quietly go about achieving it. Surprising them might be one of biggest rewards that comes with your success!
• What will be my biggest barrier? Avoiding or denying it won’t help. Figure it out early and you are part-way to overcoming, reducing or sidestepping that barrier altogether.
• How will I stay focused during the process? Reaching most goals takes time, energy and focus. Realizing that at the beginning and building a plan to stay focused and knowing how to get refocused is critical.

These ten questions can accelerate your goal achievement whenever you ask them. If you have any goal today –whether new, in progress, or stalled – ask yourself these questions.

Then put your answers to work.