Pauline Edward

It's midyear, and that spells midyear goal-setting evaluation. Sounds tedious and boring? If you are serious about reaching your goals, you’ll know that this is as essential a step towards success as is the popular practice of writing down goals. There’s no getting around it; successful self-management requires periodic evaluations, and, what better time than mid-year?

Though we know that those who take the time to write their goals are more likely to reach them, very few people actually make full use of the exercise. So, pull out your goal-setting file or that lovely vision board that probably has a couple of millimeters of dust on it by now. You didn't actually think that writing your goals was sufficient and that, somehow, magically, everything would simply happen as it was written, did you? Though occasionally, this does happen, for the most part, there is an extra step involved. So, pull out your goals for 2009. There's more to this practice than just writing them down and stashing them somewhere and forgotten.

First of all, never underestimate the importance of standing back and evaluating your progress. I know, boring. But, if anything, this is the one step that will allow you to make the changes that can spell the difference between success and failure. Repeated experiences of success will give you the confidence to take on greater challenges.

Very good. Now that you've dusted off your goals for the year, go through the list and apply the following steps for each item.

1. Embrace this exercise with honesty, patience and kindness towards yourself. In all likelihood, somewhere along the road, you’re going to make mistakes and fail to reach your goals. Everyone does. That's good. It means you have goals. Mistakes are good. They mean that you stepped out of your comfort zone. Maybe you didn't quite make it; next time, you will.
2. Measure your progress. Use the appropriate measuring stick to determine where you are in the achievement of your goal. For example, of you decided that you wanted to produce a 25,000-word e-book as a marketing tool for your business this year, check your word count.
3. Acknowledge steppingstones. Perhaps at mid-year, you realize that you have already attained your goal and completed your e-book. First of all, congratulate yourself on your success. Celebrate your achievement. Recognizing and rewarding efforts strengthens motives, courage and determination for future achievements.
4. Be realistic. On the other hand, perhaps you discover that your e-book counts 500 words, and, given your busy schedule, you are not going to reach your goal for the year. That's good. You just learned that you set a goal that was unrealistic. You know something now that you didn't know back in January.  Move forward with this new knowledge.
5. Be prepared to aim higher. If you have attained your goal, decide if this is all that you were meant to accomplish, or, if you can take it one step further this year. You've reached one level of success. How about one more for the road? Do you have another 10,000 words to write? Your e-book might grow into a full-fledged publication.
6. Be flexible and ready to revise your plan. If you have set an unrealistic goal, consider revising your expectations. If, in our example, you determine that producing an e-book is essential to your progress, then set a revised goal for the year. Perhaps bring your word count down to 3000 words, or, one chapter, or a complete outline. Succeeding at a trimmed down, more realistic version of your goal will be much more beneficial than pursuing the unreasonable.
7. Learn from your experiences. If your evaluation reveals that you will not likely reach your goal by the end of the year, ask yourself if this goal is still desirable? If not, set it aside for future consideration. We set out to accomplish goals, we learn, and we adjust.  Note what you have learned from the pursuit of this goal, even if it means admitting that you bit off more than you could chew. Learn from all your actions.
8. Plan for success. Is there a new goal that has come up in the meantime? Add it to your list, but make it measurable. You might decide that writing an e-book is not reasonable at this time, but you'd be willing to focus on producing a series of 6 articles by the end of the year. This might be more manageable, and will likely lead to an experience of success. Holding onto the idea of producing the e-book, despite that the odds are against you at this time, would not be wise as it would likely lead to failure. Being successful is about focusing on those projects that are achievable. Build success with success.
9. Celebrate accomplishments. Balance your evaluation with an appreciation for the progress you have made to date.  Don't overlook even your smallest accomplishments. All in all, have heart. Failures mean that you have made an attempt; all attempts lead to results of some kind. You're learning. Celebrate and reward yourself for your efforts, your courage and your will. Many people don't even bother to try. You tried, you lived and you learned. Good for you!

By monitoring your progress in this way, you will be able to actively manage, correct and direct your efforts towards greater success. In being honest with yourself and realistic with your expectations, your experience will be much less stressful and overall, more rewarding.

©2009 Pauline Edward, author of The Power of Time: Understanding the Cycles of Your Life’s Path and Making Peace with God: The Journey of A Course in Miracles Student.

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