IIC Coaching Blog

The Importance of Goal Setting In Everyday Life

'A goal without a date attached to it is just a dream, a fantasy, an idea!'

1. Definition of a Goal
   
   A positive statement of intent, correctly formed, made with absolute commitment and followed through with daily action with an end date in mind.  This statement is written down and reviewed constantly.
2. Questions to ask yourself
   
   What do you want (is this goal yours?  Eliminate words such as try & should.  Is this goal in conflict with any other goals?
   What are the benefits of not achieving this goal / or staying in this situation (there are always benefits in not changing)?
   What action(s) are you going to undertake to ensure achievement?
   What support is required (by whom)?
   How committed / enthusiastic / confident / motivated are you by achieving the task (on a scale of 1 - 10 with 10 being the highest)?
   Describe what it's like to have achieved your goal (listen out for the language used - see, hear, feel)?
   What / who could sabotage your achievement?
   What beliefs have been limiting you to date?
   What evidence do you have for believing this?
   What empowering beliefs do you have about yourself that will help you achieve your goals?
   What evidence do you have that these beliefs are true?
   When would you like to achieve your goal by?  (short, medium, long term)
   What rewards will you use to maintain your motivation?
   How will this goal make you happier, healthier, wealthier, etc.?
   How will you know when you have achieved your goal?
3. How to Set S M A R T E R Goals
   They must be:
   - congruent with personal values
   - written down, dated, and priortised
   - reviewed twice daily
   - stated in positive language (present tense)
   - measurable and balanced
   - outcome related
   - physically possible
   - followed through with action
   - for your own good and the good of others
   - desirable and challenging
4. When to Review your Goals
   Every morning and evening = nurturing brain food
   See it in your minds eye as you read your goals
   Review your list weekly and up-date as necessary
   (circumstances, people, and priorities change)
   Add new goals as you achieve them
   Take action that is congruent with your goals
5. Why & How to Priortise your Goals?
   
   Categorise goals into short, medium, or long term
   Define your categories i.e. personal needs & wants.  Suggested categories to review: Career, Money, Health, Self-Confidence, Friends and Family, Significant Other/Romance, Personal, Development/Growth, Fun and Recreation, Physical Environment, Spirituality
6. Use Visualisation to Achieve your Goals
   
   'If your goals is to achieve £50k - visualise it, write the word 50 everywhere, keep repeating the words 'fifty thousand pounds'; become obsessive and take positive actions to realise the goal.'  Talk and Grow Rich by Ron Holland.

Dawn Campbell, The Wise Health Coach & Living Foods Practitioner

Elysian Holidays - Coaching Case Study

Elysian Holidays is a world-wide villa accommodation specialist holiday company, renting villas on the Greek Islands, in Spain, Mallorca, Menorca, Portugal, Italy, Cyprus, France, Morocco, Cost Rica, Tobago, Caribbean, Mexico, Cuba and Thailand; where all the properties are hand picked and most are visited by either Maxine Harrison (owner of Elysian Holidays) or another member of staff.

When Barbara Dalpra, qualified Master Coach with The Nyasa Partnership Limited and Accredited Fellow Coach (ECI), accredited through the European Coaching Institute started working with Maxine as her coach, the business was facing a number of challenges.

These challenges were triggered by a number of events, for example the impact of 9/11 where people didn't travel as frequently or as far in the months immediately afterwards; and the exchange rate fluctuations of both the €uro and the US$.

To achieve this each goal was broken down into manageable chunks and as such into smaller goals.  During the coaching sessions, each smaller goal was addressed and a number of steps discussed and actions agreed.  As each small goal is achieved the longer-term goals defined initially, start coming closer.

Maxine defined the benefits of coaching as the support that assists in providing clarity, boosts her confidence, and enhances her ability to priortise.  She says that as coaching gives her the opportunity to discuss all areas of her business and personal life with someone who is non-judgemental, the role of business no manager no longer leaves her feeling alone, especially when it comes to making decisions.  She added that one loses any fear of the future.

Co-Active Coaching

Discusses the important qualities of a co-active coach - listening, intuition, curiosity, action/learning, and self-management.

Authors - Laura Whitworth, Henry Kimsey-House, and Phil Sandahl.

ISBN: 978-0891061236

Get Co-Active Coaching here!

Top 10 Tips on Goal Setting

1. Write it down
2. List the benefits to yourself
3. Affirmations
4. Where are you today?
5. Identify investments and sacrifices
6. Levels of knowledge
7. Support
8. Design and develop your plan
9. Set your deadlines
10. Celebrate – how will you reward yourself?

The most important thing about goals, is having one.
Geoffry F. Abert

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