How to set GOALS like a PRO

Throughout our lifetime, we set many goals and only realize a few. We might feel that we’re not progressing toward some purpose, so we give it up.

When we add a new positive habit into our life, we might slack, unsure whether we’re doing enough. It might become overwhelming, so we overdo or underdo something.

Doubts start to arise, and without clear indicators of progress, a person might end up ditching his new habit and returning to his old ones.

To solve this issue, when setting a goal, it’s crucial to ask ourselves: how can I objectively define whether I’m progressing toward my goal or not? What measures could serve as indicators of my progress?

Benefits of setting measurements

Setting measurements offer us a sense of clarity. It lets us be clear on where to put our efforts and focus. You no longer wonder what actions to take next and what to prioritize.  

Furthermore, it gives you a sense of accountability. It strengthens your responsibility toward yourself and your goal. It shows you whether you’re doing enough, and when not, it reminds you to do so.

In other words, it motivates you and encourages your progress.

With tracking progress, there’s no failure, only feedback. It’s a great way to assess and clearly understand where you are and where you should make more effort.

Types of Measures to Consider

Each goal is unique and therefore needs specific measurements, either qualitative or quantitative or both.

Quantitative measurements are metrics such as numbers and metrics. The measurements I set for my goal to become a blogger were quantitative. My indicators were numbers. I decided to write 35 blog posts.

Qualitative measurements are observations and self-reflection. They are more subjective and related to feelings and emotions. It is how satisfied or happy you feel when realizing a goal and the positive changes and more opportunities it brings to your life.

Let’s say you set a goal to start a new online business to sell books. What can this goal add to your life, and how does it impact it? How would you feel about achieving it? Would it cost you something? If yes, what would it cost you?

Setting SMART goals

When setting a goal, always remember this acronym SMART, S (specific), M(measurable), A(achievable), R(relevant), and T(time-bound).

Measurements stand for the letter M in SMART goals. They are the indicators that help you track your progress objectively. It increases your sense of trust and confidence over time.

Measurements offer more clarity and specificity on where you stand from your goal. They are your best friend and self-guides toward your goal. They are what makes the journey of progress enjoyable.

Implementing measurements in your daily life

When setting measurements, finding ways to implement them into your daily life is essential. Whether you prefer the old or modern form, always make it accessible and easy to track your progress.

I love to mark “completed” a task. I love to see that “tick” mark and the number of completed things increasing.

Using the same example: “becoming a blogger”. To track my progress, I wrote a list in my notebook.

Blog #1, Blog #2, Blog #3, Blog # 4…. Blog #35

Each time I wrote a blog, I went to my notebook and checked the box. And God knows how rewarding it was when I completed the list.

Using apps and technology could also be a way to keep track of your progress.

Let’s say you want to be healthier and drink more water. You set the measures of drinking 1.5L a day. To keep track of your progress, you can use an app and add to it every time you drink a cup of water and notice if you have reached your daily goal.

What if challenges arise?

Challenges may always arise. They could be external, like sudden changes, or uncontrollable situations. It happens to everyone, and we must make peace with this fact and accept that in life, there are things we can control and things we can’t.

Challenges are what make movies more interesting. Consider yourself a hero of your own life who can overcome challenges and write ahead about the challenges you might encounter and how you can face them and solve them.

If you feel like failing or falling behind, know that you set the rules in your life. Imagine that you’re playing a game with many lives, with endless chances to begin again or continue from where you “lost”.

Ahmad Yasser and his success story

Ahmad Yasser wanted to become a singer, and as an ambitious guy, he went to “Arab got talents” to realize his dream. The first time he went, he got rejected. He came back in the second year. They denied him again.

And guess what? He tried for the third time, and this time he got accepted. He improved himself, took some singing lessons, and impressed the same jury.

Ahmad could have given up his dream on the first try, but he did not. He took the rejection as feedback that showed him he needed to take some lessons and improve. And it worked for him. He did it!

Setting measurements to track your progress is crucial to help you reach success. Measures can be qualitative and quantitative, indicators that you might consider your best friend that encourages you when doing well and reminds you when doing less. Even though challenges may arise and you might feel like failing yourself, always stand up again and consider your failure as feedback from which you can learn and improve.

Ninette Abi Atallah