There is a lot of talk of creating and achieving goals, but it is not always that simple. Here are five simple things you can do to help meet your goals. These simple steps can be used for professional or personal goals. The important thing to remember with goals is there is no simple process to achieving them; these steps will help you.
- Create task(s) and schedule them
Creating tasks is the best way to ensure you accomplish your goals. For most goals, there are many tasks both big and little that have to be completed to ensure that goal is met. For example: your goal is to print 100 service manuals per day. A simple task would be to ensure you have enough paper to complete the goal. Put your task on the calendar. By putting your tasks on the calendar or setting reminders, you can remind yourself that a task needs to be completed. Using your calendar reminders is a great way to stay focused on tasks. Setting reminders on your phone will allow you to remember tasks on the go.
- Ask for help
Don’t wait until it is too late to ask for help. In every company, there is someone who has done the job you are doing. Seek out help, if you are struggling to reach your goals. Many times, someone who has “been there, done that” can give you guidance on how to approach your goals or even suggest some tasks that could help you be successful. Often times, asking others for help can give you a perspective that maybe you had not thought about or point you in a different direction.
- Manage time
There are many books written about time management and how to manage your time. Time management takes a little diligence. Creating tasks will help with time management. One technique to help manage your time is to plan your day and work through your plan. Creating a list of to-dos and checking them off is a great way to manage your time. Scheduling your tasks on your calendar will also improve your time management.
- Cut down the distractions.
Distractions are productivity's biggest enemy. To make the most of your day, ax whatever is keeping you from being focused and productive. Take your work environment into account. Is sound/noise, lighting, the way the room is configured--like open-floor plans--a problem? Try relocating to a different space or make a case for working remotely. The key is finding out what distractions are messing with your productivity, and then doing something about it.
- Have good boundaries.
Let me ask you: What's most important for you to get done? Whatever it is, focus all your energy on those things. Take billionaire Warren Buffett, for example. With all the demands on him every day, Buffett learned a long time ago the greatest commodity of all is time. He simply mastered the art and practice of setting boundaries for himself. The mega-mogul once said, "The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything."
These simple strategies will help you be more successful in achieving your goals. Although these are just a few simple techniques, it important to note there other steps or techniques you can use to be successful. The important thing is to do something, goals don’t complete themselves.