Set Realistic Timelines and Achieve Your Goal
   

What is the difference between those who speak of lofty goals, and those who actually achieve them? One of the main differences between those who realize their goals and those who don't seems to be the implementation of realistic timeframes. Setting a realistic timeline can be an excellent way to spur you to activity, to keep you on track, to help you avoid pitfalls, and ultimately, to achieve your goals with as little difficulty and sacrifice as possible.

Setting realistic timelines for yourself sounds easy enough, but how can you set timelines that are both firm and realistic? Of course, every goal represents its own set of circumstances and challenges. But no matter what type of goal you pursue, setting a realistic timeline can help you realize your goal. Here are few guidelines and ideas to consider when setting a realistic timeline.

Be Specific: What is Success for You?

Before setting a timeline, you must define your goal. What exactly are you trying to succeed? Be as specific as possible. Individuals who continually succeed in realizing their goals are able to articulate them clearly and succinctly. Rather than say, "I would like to be more healthy," say: "I would like to climb the stairs up to my apartment without struggle, and without heavy breathing." The latter goal contains specific criteria for achieving success, while the former is too vague to determine success.

What is success for you? Once you have determined this, you will be able to construct a realistic timeline. How long do you think it will take you to achieve your goal? Be realistic about it. Don't expect to play Carnegie Hall a few months after you first piano lesson. If your goal is this lofty, consider focusing on more immediate and accessible aspects of your goal. Then set a reasonable and firm timeframe for achieving your goal.

Break Your Goal into Manageable Pieces

Successful goal-seekers soon realize that achieving a goal cannot be accomplished in one fell swoop. Goal realization is process, one that is composed of several small steps that must be taken one at a time. Sometimes the process may feel excruciatingly slow. Sometimes it feels as if an entire desert stands between you and your goal.

In order to overcome the hard work and plain old monotony of the goal realization process, you will need to break up the process into several smaller manageable stages. If you are working on your version of the great American novel, don't let yourself become overwhelmed by the sheer scope of your aspiration. Simply take it one chapter at a time. Sometimes you will have to take it one page at a time, or even one sentence, or one word at a time. In fact, remind yourself of this aspect of the process frequently. Keep signs posted around your work area that motivate you to keep going, and to take each step at a time.

Avoiding Procrastination and Keeping On Task

Perhaps one of the greatest problems with adhering to a realistic timeline is the issue of procrastination. Procrastination is an impulse we all have. Even the most dedicated and disciplined among us can fall prey to procrastination. Why? The answer is simple enough. Achieving your goal is hard work! You can easily convince yourself to watch TV instead of working on your goal. The very real challenges and distractions of everyday life are enough to keep most people from pursuing their personal goals.

This is where discipline and passion come into play. In order to be successful, you must set goals for yourself that you truly care about. Without passion, you will likely abandon most of your goals. Without discipline, you will find yourself constantly distracted. To cultivate your sense of discipline and passion, you must remind yourself daily of your goals. You must remember why you decided to pursue them in the first place. And you must adhere to your deadlines.

Measuring Your Success

How do you know once you've reached your goal? In some cases it will be easy. You will know print out the last page of your novel and know you are done. In other cases, this determination will not always be clear. It is paramount that you determine what success means to you, even before setting off on the road to your goal. By defining when a goal has been achieved, it will be much easier to set a firm and realistic timeline.

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by SolveYourProblem.com : 2006

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