Whether you recognize it or not, you have had goals throughout your life. When you were younger, you aspired to learn how to ride a bike.

As you grew older, you may have dreamt of driving a car, and perhaps even becoming a Formula One driver. However, at some point, you realized that you had no idea how to bridge the gap between where you were and where you wanted to be.

While some goals, such as becoming a professional athlete, may not be attainable for many of us, it's important to understand that this realization is not necessarily discouraging. Finding satisfaction and happiness begins with setting realistic goals that inspire us.

When we set goals, we need to approach them with serious consideration and brainstorming. They should be achievable and within reach. Most importantly, we need to be willing to put in the necessary effort to achieve our realistic goals and understand why we are dedicating our focus to them in the first place. Let's get started.

What are goals?

Goals are the objectives we strive to achieve by putting in effort. They encompass what we aim to accomplish and motivate us to work on various aspects of our well-being, including mental, financial, emotional, and physical aspects. Goals provide us with a specific focus for our actions and help us develop a plan.

Goals can fall into different categories. Professional goals may involve working towards a promotion, acquiring new skills, or improving networking abilities. Personal goals may revolve around increasing exercise or reading a certain number of books per year.

Financial goals could entail saving to purchase a house, while physical goals might involve running a marathon.

You might have a career goal of becoming an entrepreneur or a personal goal of traveling the world. Goals spark passion, excitement, and drive in our lives, allowing us to develop new skills.

However, it is essential to understand how to work towards our goals and set reasonable ones to maximize our chances of success.

Short-term vs. Long-term Goals

When setting realistic goals, it is crucial to consider their timeframes. Some goals may require immediate action, such as buying concert tickets before they sell out, while others are long-term aspirations. Devoting effort to long-term goals that do not offer instant gratification lays the foundation for a more meaningful life.

Short-term goals are also valuable, as they serve as stepping stones towards achieving our ultimate objectives. We cannot expect to be hired as a senior employee right after graduating from college. Instead, we must take smaller steps that lead us closer to our desired end goal.

Why is it important to set realistic goals?

Setting realistic goals is beneficial for everyone. None of us can predict the future, and our needs and aspirations may change over time.

Adaptability teaches us that we don't have to abandon our plans when circumstances change. In a world filled with uncertainty, adaptability is key.

Realistic goals are flexible and adaptable. Revising our action plans and adapting to new circumstances helps us continue making progress towards our goals.

When things don't go as planned, our resilience, agency, hope, and ability to navigate uncertainty become crucial for overcoming obstacles.

Studies have shown that students are more likely to achieve their goals if they approach them optimistically. Maintaining a growth mindset contributes to our success.

Some individuals may wonder why goals should be realistic and end up feeling disappointed when they don't achieve their desired objectives within a specific timeframe.

New Year's resolutions are a prime example of this phenomenon. If someone hopes to lose 10 pounds, learn Spanish, get promoted, and become a vegetarian all at once, they are setting unrealistic expectations.

It's easy to understand why people become frustrated and give up. The focus should be on building smaller habits or skills that contribute to these ambitious goals. For example, establishing a regular workout routine, enrolling in a beginner's Spanish course, or improving leadership skills.

Setting unattainable goals often leads to failure, self-critical thoughts, and low self-esteem. Continuously setting unattainable goals can cause individuals to quit without attempting to adapt to change. However, manageable goals allow us to invest our time and energy into something truly achievable.

Attaining manageable goals and celebrating accomplishments boosts positive feelings and encourages us to set new goals.

Unrealistic goals arise when we fail to plan our lives effectively and stem from automatic thoughts. Having a well-structured plan is crucial for achieving the goals we set.

Boostlane can assist you in staying organized, focused, and prepared to adapt to any changes as you develop a plan to reach your goals.

How to set realistic goals

Learning how to set goals and achieve them may seem straightforward, but it involves more than simply having goals in mind. If you're struggling to set long-term goals at the moment, take a step back and consider setting realistic goals that you can accomplish in the meantime, which can help you progress towards your ultimate objectives.

Here are 11 tips to help you learn how to set achievable goals for yourself:

• Determine an organizational template that works best for you.

• Brainstorm ways to make your goals measurable.

• Believe in yourself and your abilities.

• Ensure your goals are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Timely).

• Incorporate your goals into your future plans.

• Gather the necessary resources and supplies to support your success.

• Don't be afraid to readjust your goals if needed.

• Keep your goals aligned with your values and what's important in your life.

• Establish checkpoints to track your progress.

• Set a realistic timeframe for your goals.

• Create a vision board or visualize your desired future to maintain forward momentum.

How to set achievable work goals

The goals you set for your personal life may differ from the goals you want to achieve in your professional life.

Learning how to set achievable work goals sets the foundation for your career and helps map out where you want to be professionally.

The best way to set goals for your team is through brainstorming and open communication. Discuss with your team members to understand their skills, aspirations, and contributions.

If you're finding it challenging to establish work goals for yourself, consider these tips:

• Share your goals with your team members or mentors for support.

• Establish a rough timeline for achieving specific aspects of your goals.

• Do not view failure or challenges as a sign to quit.

• Research your ideas to gain knowledge about your goals.

• Ensure you have the necessary training and skills required to pursue your goals.

10 examples of realistic goals

Realistic goals can encompass various aspects of life, whether personal or professional.

They can be collaborative endeavors or individually focused objectives.

To give you some ideas, here are ten examples of realistic goals:

• Establishing boundaries with coworkers.

• Improving time management skills.

• Prioritizing mental health and dedicating more time to self-care.

• Acquiring new skills at work to enhance chances of promotion.

• Contributing to the community's food bank.

• Developing new social media optimization strategies for work.

• Enhancing graphic design skills.

• Encouraging team members to foster more collaboration.

• Consistently managing personal finances within a budget each month.

• Improving communication skills in professional and personal settings.

5 questions to ask yourself before setting goals

Before setting your goals, it's important to find a quiet space, sit down, and reflect on your vision. Consider any obstacles you might face. This reflection will help you develop a plan and prepare for the work required to achieve your goals.

James Clear, an author and speaker specializing in decision-making and continuous improvement, emphasizes the importance of having a plan in his talk on "Atomic Habits." He points out that everyone desires rapid transformation and quick success, but these things don't happen overnight.

When people feel lacking in motivation, what they really lack is clarity. Clear suggests that clarity helps individuals establish a plan for achieving their goals.

To gain clarity, here are five questions following the SMART goal structure:

Specific: What exactly would you like to achieve?

Measurable: How will you know when you have accomplished your goals and feel satisfied?

Achievable: Is this goal realistic?

Relevant: How relevant is this goal to your values, future plans, and overall life priorities?

Timely: When do you want to achieve this goal? What is a reasonable timeframe?

8 skills required for goal setting

While anyone can set goals, specific skills can facilitate the process and help maintain focus. Goal setting can be challenging, but acquiring these skills can help overcome obstacles.

Even if you don't feel entirely comfortable with these skills, remember that they can become your goals and something to work towards.

Here are eight skills that can benefit you when setting goals:

• Visualization and a healthy imagination.

• Mental clarity for realistic thinking.

• Organization to keep your actions clear.

• Self-motivation to drive your goal-setting process.

• Effective time management for efficient action.

• Flexibility to adapt to unexpected changes.

• Emotional self-regulation to manage feelings along the way.

• Focus and commitment for long-term projects.

Moving forward: 5 values for goal setting

Foundational research on goal setting has identified five important values to keep in mind as you work towards achieving your goals. These values are crucial for staying on course, even when you know your goals are realistic.

As you embark on your journey towards achieving your goals, ensure that your plan aligns with these values.

Here are the five values to remember:

Commitment: Stay dedicated to your goal, reminding yourself of the reasons you set it in the first place.

Clarity: Your goal must be clear to provide a path that makes your efforts worthwhile.

Challenge: Embrace challenges as learning opportunities, but recognize when some challenges may be too significant for the present moment.

Complexity:Consider the complexity of your goal, such as additional education or lifestyle changes required.

Feedback: Don't hesitate to seek feedback from friends, loved ones, or professionals who can offer valuable advice to steer you in the right direction.