Seven Test Questions for Setting Goals

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Setting goals is a nice objective but if we are setting goals that are misdirected, it can set us up for failure.  This will then keep us from taking the steps or having the confidence to move forward in our purpose.

Perhaps you may have set some goals in your life wishing you had never done it and the results and fruit have plagued you.  As you begin to review and set your goals ask yourself some questions.

Will I be a better person for accomplishing this goal?

An effective goal will stretch your faith and matures you. It should make you a better person and more useful to yourself and others.

Will it help someone else to reach his goal?

Every person who has someone else working for him should ask this question.  If you are a working person and you help the person you are working for become more successful, you become successful.  When we pour out our lives for someone else's life to make that someone successful, there is no way for us to fail.

Will it get me where I want to go?

As I look into the future, whether it is next week, month or ten years from now, will this goal help me in the direction of my ultimate or long-range goal?  All your goals need to be coordinated.  Otherwise, you will waste your time.  Make sure all your goals will lead to the same ultimate end.

Will the accomplishment of the goal violate my conscience?

A bad conscience takes all your happiness away.  One of the principles of life I stand on is "doing the right thing, right, right now."  When I know I am doing the right thing, the ethical, legal way, then I don't have to worry about "covering my tracks."  Aperson told me, "If I tell the truth I don't have to remember what I said."

Will it violate the rights of others?

If you achieve your goal, will you have to mistreat someone?  Will you have to do something in someone else's life that deep down inside you, you know is not right?  You may be able to explain it away, but you will lose your joy.  Will you have to step on someone else, will you have to put the pressure on other people, will you put others in a position that will hinder their success?  We should never use people.  We should use money and love people.

Will my family be able to enjoy the rewards of my accomplishment?

What will be the effects on my family of my reaching my goals?  Will it result in oneness and harmony and encouragement for them?  If it won't, you need to consider this carefully.  Would it be worth losing your family?  Is the price of the goal too high?

Am I willing to pay the price to succeed in this goal?

There is always a price in achieving anything.  Is the degree of willingness to pay the price equal to the desire for success?  You need to consider this.  When you weigh the price you have to pay with what you will achieve, is the price worth it?

Goals have a 50/50 chance of success or failure.  By taking these questions into consideration in the planning stage, you'll be on your way to the road of success.

Next article we will look at mistakes people make when setting goals.

Leslie Schneider, International Training Consultant, contributing editor, Mindspring  ddatalink@sbcglobal.net  www.abmword.com