Choose Happiness by Setting Goals
Most of us are good at setting ourselves little tasks, or maybe even one or two big ones. Maybe these are daily tasks, maybe something you want to achieve by the end of the month. You promise yourself you will walk to work today. You want to get the closet de-cluttered by the time your sister comes to stay from out of town. Maybe you want to decorate the bathroom. plan these things in our head but how often do we actually achieve them?
Go for it!
Just think of the satisfaction you will feel when you can look in that closet and actually fit something in there. Just think of the joy when you slip into a nice hot bathtub knowing that the fantastic new color on the wall was chosen, and painted on there, by you. Imagine the benefits from the fresh air and exercise you got when you walked into work today.
Achieving these goals that you set yourself can be incredibly motivating and give a great boost to your self-esteem. The satisfaction in a job well done is a feel-good sensation no one can give you, it’s something you earn yourself.
These achievements can also help with the big goals. Maybe you see yourself in ten years time with a better job, or maybe even retiring. By breaking that dream into little goals you can feel like the dream is closer every time you achieve one of them. Every goal is a little step closer to that big goal.
Just the action of setting these goals can give you the motivation you need to achieve them. Get a piece of paper and write them down, maybe give yourself a timescale to get some of them done. (But don’t put lots of pressure on yourself, that’s not what it’s for.) By choosing these goals and writing it down you are giving yourself a glimpse into what could be a better future. A friend of mine who runs training courses for her company uses what they call SMART goals to get her trainees motivated. The SMART system is easy to follow, just follow the five steps to success.
1. S is for Smart
You want to accomplish these goals, think about what you are looking to get out of this. Rather than ‘I want to get fit’ how do you plan to do it? Maybe, ‘I’ll go swimming twice a week.
2. M is for Measurable
You want to know you have done what you set out to do, set goals that you can measure your progress on.
3. A is for Achievable
It’s no good setting yourself a goal you know you are never going to complete, that’s just demoralizing when you know you can’t get there. Set yourself something you know you can do.
4. R is for Realistic
Fairly similar sentiment to Achievable, you need to set yourself goals you know you have a chance of reaching. Rather than ‘I’m going to become rich’ think, “I’m going to save some money each month and build up a nest egg”.
5. T is for Time bound
When you work out what you want to accomplish, give yourself a realistic timescale to get it done. You want to know you are going to get it done, but be sensible. Give yourself enough time to do it, and something to look forward to.
Motivation and happiness go hand in hand
A well-used motivation technique is to visualize a better, happier you, or imagining something you want in your future. Make the picture in your head strong and colorful and as real as you can. It really helps. (You can also make a poster board of it that can help).
The secret to your own happiness is in your hands (and your own head). Grab it with both hands and watch your life move forward with pride and happiness within.
For some people it helps to express their goals to someone. If this is you, just leave them in the comment box below. Thanks for sharing.
Always choose to be happy,
Debbie
In the case you want to get a push to get your goals, Ensure that people all-around you know about your current personality development goals so that there’s a sufficient amount of public pressure on you on a consistent basis. Reporting to them may likely make you think again about letting go of your goal .
Got to love the spam. I am answering this just to let you know that when it comes to public pressure they can go for it and i wish them luck. I am my own person and I have learned to let go of any pressure. Life is to short for that.
I just wanted to comment your blog and say that I really enjoyed reading your blog post here. It was very informative and I also digg the way you write! Keep it up and I’ll be back to read more in the future…
Hi Louis,
Thank you very much and yes, i shall continue to keep writing. I appreciate your kind words.
You have a wonderful happy day and always choose to be happy.
Debbie
Hi Debbie. only just found your site today. I’m the type of person that does a task 100% anything less then I can’t move onto the next thing or relax. I’m also a great believer in writing down and planning my to do list even if it’s the daily mundane activities. Your friends SMART steps are excellent motivation ideas.
I’ll be sure to visit again soon, regards Ryan.
.-= Ryan´s last blog ..How Times Have Changed =-.
Hi Ryan,
Doing a task 100% is wonderful. My hubby is that way. If you are going to do something to it right the first time. Some people just lack the motivation to make the list or do the task, but with these 5 simple steps I was hoping they could step up the pace and catch up with the rest of us.
thank for sharing and keep up the good work. We can all learn from you.
Debbie
Merely wished to say I seriously appreciate your work on this blog and the high-quality articles you make. These type of post are precisely what keeps me personally going through the day. I discovered this post after a good friend of my own advised it to me. I do a little blogging and site-building personally and I am always pleased to check out others contributing good quality info towards online community. I will absolutely be following and have saved your web site to my twitter account for others to see.
Dear Winifred,
Thank you very much. I shall keep up the high-quality of my articles. If I fall down please be there to let me know. Wishing you much happiness with your blogging and site-building. It is wonderful to share with others out there in the big wide world.
Debbie
Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love learning more on this topic. If possible, as you gain expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more information? It is extremely helpful for me.
Thanks for the comment even thought you have know idea what the topic is. Shame on you. If you are going to spam you really need to work on it. At least name the topic. I would appreciate it.
Debbie
I love this article!! I have been reading this blog for quite sometime now, and this is my first comment. I would like to tell you that I enjoy reading this blog, and that I love thought provoking articles like this!
It please me that you loved this article. Thank you very much for your comment. if there is something that you would like me to talk about just drop me a line.
You have a wonderful day and may happiness always be yours.
Debbie
That is some inspirational stuff. Never knew that opinions could be this varied. Thanks for all the enthusiasm to offer such helpful information here.
I am glad that you enjoyed it. Hope you stop back again and always be happy.
Debbie
I definitely enjoying every little bit of it. It is a great website and nice share. I want to thank you. Good job! You guys do a great blog, and have some great contents. Keep up the good work.
Thanks very much. It does make me happy to know you like my site. If you would like feel free to pick up my free e-book here enjoylifeok.com
Have a wonderful week,
Debbie
Good Morning, I do not normally post feedback on posts, as I prefer to read only. However I find the article that you have written earlier has very insightful information, and I discover it very informational. I was searching on Google for how to set goals information & discovered your valuable website. Could you find something the same special on how to set goals? Thank you. ~ Tanja Lorenzo
Thank you, but after checking out your site it looks like you are doing a wonderful job of also teaching about goal setting. This is great, because people learn in different ways and it alway helps when you have more then one person to get the same information from, but worded differently. You have a very happy day Tanja.
Debbie