In my last post I talked about the need for taking baby steps toward achieving your goals. Today I want to look at why baby-step goals will give you a greater advantage when it comes to getting what you want out of life.

There is a school of thought that says that goals are not really necessary. And that people only set goals, or make new years resolutions because they feel like they’re supposed to. It’s the whole idea of a fresh start that draws people in, and has them setting goals they have no intentions of keeping.

Personally, I think that setting goals is one of the most important things you can do to make sure that you’re living life on your own terms. We need a reason to get up in the morning. We need to feel like we’re accomplishing something with our lives. There has to be some result that you are wanting to achieve. It doesn’t matter if it’s a complex goal like making a million dollars, or as simple as finishing that book you’ve been dying to read.

I would argue that it’s not that people set goals they have no intention of keeping, but more a case of they set goals that they have no idea how to go about achieving! They want to take these huge giant drastic leaps toward a better life and get frustrated when the results aren’t big enough or fast enough.

Now, I’m not saying that you shouldn’t make big goals. Heck I have goals for the coming year that I have no idea yet how I’m going to get accomplished. But that doesn’t stop me from trying to get there bit by bit. What it does mean is that I’m breaking them down into little baby-step goals, and that by accomplishing small things my chances of getting the big thing done are that much greater.

Here’s the thing that it’s taken me forever to figure out… If you focus on getting that one little thing done, it fuels your excitement and builds momentum toward the completion of your ultimate goal. This way even if it takes longer to reach the finish line, you will still have a sense of accomplishment to build on. And I don’t know about you, but for myself, I’d much rather have a small success to reflect on, than to give up in total frustration.

What about you? Do you think goals are necessary? Or are they a waste of time? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

If you’re new to setting goals, it’s a good idea to start with short-term goals. Short-term goals can be completed quickly, and each time you achieve one, it builds your confidence for tackling longer-term, more complex goals.

Here are four tips to consider when setting short term goals:

1. Set Deadlines

Short-term goals shouldn’t take any more than a week or two to complete. Decide on a specific time frame for achieving each goal before you start.

2. Be Realistic

People often over estimate what they can realistically achieve in a short amount of time. Make sure that the deadlines you set are realistic for your situation.

3. Reward Yourself

It’s much easier to stay motivated when you know there is a treat waiting for you at the end of the job. Make it something special like going to the movies, having a massage, or playing a round of golf.

4. Break It Down

Completing a series of small steps is much easier than trying to finish one big task. Break your goal down into smaller “baby steps” and create a checklist of them. You’ll be able to see your progress as you cross each item off your list.

Remember to keep your short-term goals simple. They are meant to be quick and easy to achieve. Follow these tips and you’ll complete your short term goals easily.

It’s that time of year again. Yep, that one… where we look back at what we’ve accomplished this year and set goals for what we want to do for next year. I’ve already started my planning and working toward my goals for 2009 since I really got off track this year and didn’t get near what I’d set out to do accomplished. In fact, with everything I learned at the Masters Seminar last week, I’ve already started revising my goals in order to make 2009 an even better year.

I know that setting goals and writing about setting goals is not a glamorous topic. But goals play such an important part in our success. Not only do they help us to discover what it is we really want, they also give us a sense of purpose. It’s really nice to have something to work toward so that you can measure your progress and feel that sense of accomplishment.

Goals can also create a road map for us, enabling us to get to where we ultimately want to be. Breaking them down, they become the stepping stones that help us to reach what it is that we desire. And without them, while we may know what it is we want, it’s really unlikely that we’d actually get it. I can speak to that one from experience.

As someone who exhibits all the traits of adult ADD, I’m really thankful for goals, and for my accountability partner. She makes me write my goals down, questions my commitment to them, and makes sure that I get done what I set out to do. Without them, I know for sure I’d still be flitting from one project to another, never reaching a goal and always moving on the minute boredom strikes. And believe me, it strikes often. The evidence is all over my office in piles of half-finished projects.

I think though, that the biggest thing I’m thankful for is that my goals give me hope. As long as I can set goals and be excited enough about reaching them, I have a reason to get up and look forward to the day. And that’s something that I really haven’t had in a very long time.