Here we are at the midway of the year, a time to check in with ourselves and ask – “have I made the progress I was hoping for?”

When we look at our progress, and experiences we often reflect on our goals, or intentions, where we would like to be or what we would like to have achieved. When we look at how we can be happier or how productive we have been, goal setting often comes up. There is considerable research showing that goal setting works as a way to get what what we want out of life.

When setting goals, we start with deciding what it is we really want, and make sure we are specific about it. We can take a more traditional approach. Write it down, and put it where we can see it, think about it and how we can make it real. Set a deadline for our goal and make sure we allow a reasonable amount of time for it to happen.

Martha Beck suggests, we can set powerful goals by using adjectives;
To try this out pick a goal, and imagine what your life would be like if you realized the goal you just identified. What would it look like, and feel like, use all your senses and create a detailed fantasy film in your mind. Begin listing adjectives that describe how you feel in your dream-come-true scenario. The magic number is three. Don’t stop until you have at least that many ways to describe those lovely feelings. Find describing words like energetic, focused, delighted, and accomplished. It will help to write them down. You may also like to consider how these three adjectives show up already in your life. By putting your attention on those aspects of your life you can feel happier right now and this will help you create future situations that fulfill your true desires. Using adjectives, helps to focus all your efforts on the quality of the experience you want to create. Martha suggests “this process is harder than “normal” goal setting—it requires some serious soul-searching and perhaps a good thesaurus—but it does pay off.”

Goal setting alone does not predict our success. We may have a good understanding of the importance of SMART Goals – making our goals:
specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and with a time-frame, or we may align with those adjectives that will help us identify our true desires; the other important part is to plan our goals, and make a MAP to help us reach them.

In writing about “How to Get What You Want”, Dr. Lucy Hone points out that “goal setting is crucial in making life changes but its not enough. The goal might be your destination but first you need a Map.” Dr. Lucy Hone also talks about “will power” and “way power”. Dr. Hone says “will power” concern’s our motivation, self belief, and need to be in tune with why the goal is meaningful to us. “Way power” is our ability to find our way around obstacles, to navigate challenges and overcome set-backs. “All the will in the world wont get us to where we want to be unless we can be practical about finding the way.”

I have developed a six step process to help woman who are ready to create the change that they really want.
My Six Step Process
1. Create a strong foundation to step from. Know what’s important and what you value.
2. Set a new direction. Create a vision for where you want to go.
3. Develop a MAP – My Action Plan: goal planning, and a map to help you get there.
4. Recognise and negotiate the obstacles that get in your way.
5. Take action – get started, and keep going, keep the focus.
6. Reassess, realign, and identify the gaps, as you move along your pathway.

When we create a MAP (My Action Plan), we can start with creating a “vision” that aligns with your values (what’s important to you, and what draws you forward), and make meaningful goals to help bring your vision to life – we are using “will power”. When we move into Mapping; our goal planning, recognizing obstacles, and taking action we are using “way power”.

The notion of goal planning is taking your goals, and making a plan, a MAP, to make them happen. Here are some key steps that will be helpful for your goal planning.

• Decide what you really want and be specific.
• Ensure you have a shortlist of goals. When planning goals, it is best to select just 2 or 3 meaningful pursuits at a time than to trying to juggle a dozen priorities.
• Make a MAP – dedicate time to thinking about realizing your goals;
• Make a list of everything you can think of that you possibly do to achieve your goals
• Take action: be hopeful and recognise to achieve goals we need to take an active approach, and be prepared to use multiple strategies;
• Consider obstacles and challenges – list the likely obstacles and how you might get around them;
• List the skills you have and the skills you will need;
• Identify who will give you co-operation and support, and be prepared to ask for help when you need it.
• Reassess and adjust your goals. Re-goaling is a critical strategy, “sometimes that is how we truly achieve resilience, we change the outcome we’re searching for just a little bit and we figure out a better, more doable path to that outcome and live to fight another day.” Shane Lopez Psychologist.
• Your MAP is a work in progress, add to it, as new tasks and responsibilities occur.
• Organise your list of actions by sequence and priority.
• Take action on your plan, break your goals into tiny parts – “turtle steps” take a step however small. From there you will see the next step and the next.
• Be willing to fail. Goal achievers know there is no guarantee of success, and are willing to face failure and disappointment, but ultimately experience that less as they are willing to take action.

Do something everyday that moves you in the direction of your major goal. You will gain a sense of momentum that builds and will motivate, inspire and energise you. As you play with developing momentum it will become a habit and soon all your activities will be momentum building ones.