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Kung Fu Goals - Kick Procrastination Where It Counts!
By Benjamin Murane
Homework: check.
Tax return: check.
Flowers for the girlfriend: check.
Leadership Solutions article: check.
The list of Ben’s successful procrastinations continues. I used to consider myself one of the best procrastinators out there. There are few things that I can’t do last minute. In fact, I think a little pressure is healthy. It gets the blood pressure going. But I have learned the truth of goal-setting the hard way: procrastination invites itself in as your friend, won't leave, and eventually becomes master of the house.
Masters of success know about setting deadlines and goals the smart way. You know, the S-M-A-R-T way: specific, measurable, attainable and realistic, and timely.
Specific goals leave nothing ambiguous. If you want to win first place, then specify first place in your goal, not just “an award.” Know exactly what you are aiming for.
Measurability is important to reach those specific benchmarks—if you cannot measure your success, then are you sure you made it? An example is a fundraising goal: I want to personally raise $500 for the WalkAmerica this year. I want to have a successful WalkAmerica isn't measurable, so it's not a good goal.
Attainable and Realistic: come on, let’s be real here. While great big goals are great, we know that personally raising a million dollars for the WalkAmerica would be a miracle. This the reality check. Be honest!
Timeliness is the last but most important part of a goal—the deadline. A goal without a completion date is just another aspiration. I will get all A’s this semester, for instance. Pick a date, post it up, and get it done.
I am sure that you have heard of S-M-A-R-T goals before, but sometimes that is not enough to help craft a truly motivating goal. Sometimes you need a goal with some kick and a bit of attitude, the kind that matches up with the Kung-Fu Leadership Styles I wrote about earlier in the year. To go along with that methodology, here are some techniques of goal setting that can be done with a big kung fu HIYAH!
Heed the deadlines!
Ideal situations rarely work out!
Yell for help!
Anticipate obstacles!
Have a back up plan!
! (The exclamation point is to execute everything with a sense of urgency!)
Start with the deadline and work backwards towards today. What must happen step by step to reach the final goal? Do not assume that it will be smooth sailing from point A to B—plenty can go awry that is out of your control, and safety space will keep you in control. If you are unclear about details, ask an expert for help and seek advice on what works best. (Remember, procrastination is always hiding in the details!) The more you know about what could happen, the more you will be ready for what does happen, so anticipate obstacles and challenges in your plan. Finally, have a back up plan in case you become utterly thwarted even by all honest attempts to stay ahead of the game.
Don’t let procrastination kick you in the backside—tackle your aspirations and objectives full on—HIYAH!
Benjamin Murane, a past member of the March of Dimes National Youth Council, is a Trainer with TRI and a frequent contributor to the Leadership Solutions Network. Click here to learn more about Ben and how to contact him!
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