CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Everybody has something they want to achieve.
For some it is testing well to make a stripe or scoring an excellent on their next physical fitness test. For others it's finishing their education.
Not everyone achieves their goals. It is not for lack of trying but it's sometimes due to a lack of planning (how many New Year's resolutions go bye-bye in February?)
Achieving goals involves more than simply deciding what the goal is. Goal achievement is being realistic about where you are and definitive about where you want to be. Visualize going on a road trip from Charleston to Boise, Idaho. You wouldn't hop in the car and just drive. You would probably use an online map program and get turn-by-turn directions. For every goal, you need to develop your driving directions, or your plan of attack to reach your goal.
First, let's discuss defining your goal. Whether personal or for business, the most effective goals are designed to be S.M.A.R.T: specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and tangible with a target date. Consider the difference between these two goals.
One, scoring better on your PT test. Two, reducing run time two minutes by Aug 1. The second goal sets a specific target. Write it down, for written goals tend to carry more mental weight than goals we set only in our minds.
As a marathon runner, my goal has always been to qualify to run the Boston Marathon and after 21 marathons, I still had not qualified. Then I deployed last summer. My written goal was a Boston Marathon T-shirt I hung up in my room. It focused me on my goal every day of my deployment.
By taking the time to think a plan through and organize it in writing, we program our subconscious mind to give the written plan a priority. Writing it down also allows you to organize milestones that will be mini-successes along the journey to reach your goal.
Your milestones are a very important part of your journey. Mapping out your goals with the end in mind and a realistic timetable will help you in two major ways.
First, it keeps you on target. As a distance runner, I train for between two and four marathons a year. I normally have my training schedule mapped three to four months ahead, focused on my next race. This helps to keep me on track. Say your goal is achieving your bachelor's degree. Having a written education plan mapped out helps you know how you are progressing and what classes you need to be registering for to keep on track.
Secondly, use a coach. Just as athletes turn to professional coaches, don't be afraid to ask for assistance. Whether you need help with financial planning, family counseling, spiritual growth, career guidance, time management or any of the other goals, your success is too valuable to leave to chance. Once you've identified a goal, the first step of your action plan may simply be to seek expert advice.
For most goals, we have professionals on base that are eager to help you get there. Whether for weight loss, tobacco cessation and healthy living, the Base Health and Wellness Center has trained professionals that will help you build your roadmap. For education, our education center has counselors waiting to help you develop your personal education plan to ensure you get the degree you want. Help is out there and you will achieve more asking the experts for help.
Define and write down your goal, set your path and celebrate your milestones is a good formula to keep you focused on achieving successes. Once you achieve your goal, don't rest. It's never too early to start working on your next stripe or your next degree!