Ask anyone and they’ll surely tell you they have goals. Ask those same people how they plan to achieve those goals and they may not be so forthcoming.
Why?
Well, studies show that most people break their New Year’s resolutions by Valentine’s Day, and perhaps this is because of how difficult it is to create a realistic strategy of following through.
But even the simplest of goals requires detailed thought.
Therefore, when setting goals, always make sure they have S.P.I.R.I.T.!
Specific
Be specific about what you want or don’t want to achieve. The result should be tangible and measurable. “Look gorgeous” is pretty ambiguous, but “lose 20 pounds” is specific.
Prizes
Reward yourself at different points in the goal, particularly if it’s long-term. If your goal is to set up a home office, for example, you might purchase a new desk when the room is cleared out and ready.
Individual
The goal must be something that you want to do. If your spouse wants you to lose 20 pounds but you think you look fine, you’re not going to want to work towards the goal.
Review
Review your progress periodically. Does the goal make sense? Are you stuck? Do you need to adjust certain parts of it?
Inspiring
Frame the goal positively. Make it fun to accomplish. Consider documenting your results and framing them for future inspiration.
Time-Bound
Give yourself a deadline for achieving the goal. Even better, split the goal into small parts and give yourself a deadline for each item.
Of course, accomplishing your goals begins with taking a single step.
If you dream of a career in IT but don’t have the technical skills to make it happen, start by enrolling in QuickStart’s comprehensive IT training.
We provide IT professionals of all levels with the training and certifications they need to develop a successful career.
So go on, find some SPIRIT!