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The Art and Science
of Goal Setting and
Achieving
HFA board member shares valuable
tips to accomplish more
BY CLYDE J.R. BRAWNER, MBA, HFA BOARD OF DIREC TORS
Goal setting is often the foundation of success. We Long-term goals are usually more complex and require a
set goals for our education, our finances, our health, longer period of time to achieve, for example, enrolling in
our careers plus many other important milestones in our school again to obtain a graduate degree or starting your
lives. We often think about accomplishing our goals, rarely own business. Lifetime goals are the goals you wish to
understanding the art and science of implementing an accomplish at some point during your lifetime. Retiring at
effective strategy to achieve these important milestones. age 60 and traveling the world is one example of a lifetime
goal. When planning for lifetime goals, it is important to
Goal setting is the act of selecting a target or objective you include capstone goals or checkpoints. Saving a specific
wish to achieve. Simple enough right? Well, goal setting is amount of money by a specific date in preparation for early
the easy part. The challenge lies within the willingness to retirement is an example of a capstone goal.
make the necessary sacrifices and adjustments to achieve
your goal. When developing goals it is important to ensure that the
goals are personally compelling and inspiring. In doing so
For example, many people desire to live a healthier lifestyle, we are more likely to endure the time, energy and sacrifices
however few make the required sacrifices to achieve this required to achieve our goals. There are two critical questions
goal. Taking the stairs rather than the elevator can provide that must be asked prior to setting achievable goals. 1) What
many health benefits. While using the stairs instead of an is the exact objective that you desire? and 2) why do you
elevator will not make you healthy, it will help shape and want to achieve this goal? To remain disciplined in achieving
develop positive behaviors that will aid in creating a more our goals we must ask specific questions and have a clear
health conscious and disciplined lifestyle. Do you want the outcome in mind. Reasons come first, then the answers.
lifestyle that comes with obtaining your goal? Simply put,
are you willing to make sacrifices to achieve your desired Effective goal setting can be achieved by using the S.M.A.R.T.
goals? acronym. This acronym represents goals that are Specific,
Measurable, Achievable and Realistic, given a specified
Types of Goals Timeframe. For example, saying that I want to lose weight
is too vague. However, saying that I want to lose 20 pounds
Goals can be divided into three broad categories based upon by summer of 2020 is more effective. Stating your goal in
their desired timeframe: 1) short-term goals, 2) long-term this manner helps to keep you on track, progressing toward
goals, and 3) lifetime goals. Generally, short-term goals can your goal given the specified timeframe. The more specific
be achieved in less than one year and are often the stepping the goal the better.
stones toward achieving long-term goals. If you exercise
three times per week, for example, it will lead to a healthier, As you embark on achieving your goals there are three
more active lifestyle, and could support you on your path to important tips to keep you on task. 1) Write your goals down.
the long-term goal of completing a triathlon. The Dominican University of California conducted a study
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