How to Set Achievable Personal Development Goals

How to Set Achievable Personal Development Goals Setting yourself achievable short term objectives and long term goals can provide you with a vision of prosperity and motivation to work towards a better future. It encourages you to expand your knowledge, improve your skills and to become a better employee.

Not only will setting and meeting these goals give you a sense of achievement, but it will improve your self-confidence and show your boss you’re organised and enthusiastic.

But, where do you start? Here are a few tips on how to set achievable personal development goals…

Consider What You Want to Achieve

Think about what you are currently unhappy with or how you could improve an aspect of your career life before considering what actions you could take to improve the situation. Once you have done this, write out your goals and make a commitment to achieve them.

This can be split into one large, long-term goal, a number of smaller, contributing objectives, as well as actions that could be made to help meet these targets.

Think Smart

The SMART mnemonic is an effective way to help set goals that are achievable. It ensures each objective is measurable, relevant and attainable, while having a strict time parameter attached. SMART stands for:

  • Specific
  • Measurable
  • Attainable
  • Relevant
  • Time-bound

So, a SMART goal example could be to study and pass your next professional qualification within three months’ time.

Tips for Writing Your Goals

  • Use positive language only
  • Be precise
  • Prioritise
  • Focus on performance, not outcomes
  • Be realistic
  • Give yourself plenty of time
  • Avoid words like ‘always’ and ‘never’ in order to leave a margin for error

Visualise Your Goals

How to Set Achievable Personal Development Goals

Writing a checklist and placing it somewhere that is highly-visible is a great way of making goals feel tangible. This will also keep them in the forefront of your mind, and give you a sense of satisfaction as you tick off actions.

You could even write your own mission statement and use it as a background on your phone or PC so that it’s always visible.

Alternatively, why not try positive affirmations where once a day you state your goal out loud. For example, when you wake up, look in the mirror and say “I am a strong person and I will meet my goals. I will get a promotion by Christmas”.

Staff Motivation Training

Don’t Forget to Review Progress

Regular reviews of your own progress will ensure you stay on course and remain motivated. A review focuses on your accountability and makes you take ownership of your progress.

A review will also provide a true assessment of if you’re on track or not. It’s easy to assume you are on your way to a quick win, when in fact you have made very little progress at all.

Staff Motivation Training

How Can Call of the Wild Help?

Here at Call of the Wild, we offer a vast catalogue of development training and courses. From staff motivation training and team building to leadership skills and advice and guidance courses.

Once you’ve defined your goals, speak to our friendly team on 01639 700388 to see how a day out with us can help you achieve them.

Read more:

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