MOSES CHIPULU
ARE you setting your goals anyhow, and yet still expecting to get the results? Do you want to become whatever you hear or see on TV?
I know of a young man who wanted to become a doctor. Next time I met him, he said that he wanted to be a lawyer. Five years down the line, he said that he had “changed” his mind, and that this time around, he wanted to be an accountant.
When I ran into him last month, I discovered that he has not become any of the things he was talking about. In fact he has not done anything to talk of, be it career or business-wise.
While there could be many reasons as to why he has not achieved anything in his life by now, the main reason could be that he is not specific about what he wants to be.
It is vital for one to be specific as one sets his/ her goals. Without being specific, it may be difficult for one to attain worthwhile success. At the very least, without specificity in terms of goal setting, one is headed for failure.
No wonder it is often advisable that one not only sets goals, but that he/ she sets S.M.A.R.T goals. That is, specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-bound. Failure to do so is tantamount to building castles in the air.
As can be seen, the word specific tops the list, and that goes on to show how crucial it is for an individual or leader for that matter to set goals which are specific.
Other reasons for setting specific goals include;
When you’re specific about what you want to do or become, it shows that you are a disciplined person who will not settle for anything less than what you really want to become. It takes a good dosage of discipline to be specific in one’s pursuits.
Being specific helps one to be focused, as you will put your mind to one thing. And will therefore do one thing at a time.
This will help you to direct your energies in one direction, as opposed to little efforts in different directions.
That way, you’ll do more and become more in your life. As Pareto law of analysis states, 80 percent input in 20 percent of things equals 80 percent output.
At the end of the day, you’re more likely to succeed when you are specific about what you want to be than when you are not.
In addition, you are more likely to be knowledgeable about your field. This new-found knowledge is the main catalyst to the discoveries and inventions we are seeing every day.
But if you are not specific;
You will be jumping from one course or career to another, trying to settle for whatever looks glamorous, forgetting that,” Not everything that glitters is gold.”
Your efforts will be directed in many directions. You will be trying to do a little bit here, and a little bit there, but without being fruitful.
You are unlikely to get anything done. As you will become a jack of all trades, but master of none.
This will lead to confusion in your pursuits, and sadly in other areas of your life, too.
True success will be hard to be attained. If anything, one is likely to fail at what he/ she is doing.
In conclusion, learn to set goals. More importantly, be sure that your goals are specific. Only then can they be measurable and attainable. Dave Ramsey said, “If your goals are going to work, they have to be specific and measurable, anything else is wishful thinking
The author is a motivational writer.