Old Taskmaster has a question for you: Where do you aim to be in six months? What about 12 months? Or 24?
Whether it’s in your personal or professional life, setting yourself an aspirational target is a great way to keep yourself focused on your goals.
Ideally, your goals should be SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and timely). In other words, you should set yourself a realistic goal that you can achieve within a specific timeframe.
A good goal should also be specific and objectively measurable. Think “jog for 30 minutes each day for a month” rather than the vague “become healthier”.
Of course, life being what it is, it can be easy for doubts and frustrations to set in – especially when things don’t go your way.
This is why Old Taskmaster says it’s important to give yourself reminders of what you want to achieve. When you feel unsure of yourself, or at regular intervals throughout your day, you need to remind yourself of your goal.
So imagine, hypothetically, you’re saving up for a holiday at a particular place at the end of the year. Print out a few photos of your desired destination and stick them up in places you’re likely to see them.
Stick one on your desk under your computer monitor. One in your purse or wallet. One on your bedroom mirror. One on the wall opposite your lounge room sofa.
Note that this doesn’t just go for personal goals like a holiday. If you want your business to “break even within six months”, again, write it down and stick it up in prominent places.
Then, the next time you get hassled by the tax man, a bureaucrat, teenaged children or a bank, don’t give in to the temptation to quit. Instead, take a look at one of your reminders, take a moment to think about your goal and keep yourself motivated to stay on course.
Get it done – today!
Andrew Sadauskas is a former journalist at SmartCompany and a former editor of TechCompany.
