Blog (Spanish) — Metas

Having a vision of the future is fundamental to the success of our projects. The best way to achieve this vision is through goals establishment, no matter if they are short, medium or long term.

Achieving our goals requires the following:

1. Self-motivation. It´s about that inner energy, which keeps you moving, feeding on your wishes and more important values.

2. Commitment. If you are willing to pay the necessary price to achieve your goals it means you are committed. You may notice it in your devoted behavior, sacrifice and the work you dedicate to achieve it.

3. Flexibility and adaptation capacity. You can't always have control over the world or circumstances that surround you, nor the feelings of the people around you. 

4. Emotional self-control. Emotions are essential and are an unbreakable part of you. That´s why you need to know when they´re going to make you lose control and manage them in an adequate way, keeping a balanced attitude to act according to your judgment.

5.Organization and order. It´s necessary to recognize your limitations, you can't divide yourself to make several things at the same time. You need to have order in your plans and behavior, and prioritize your activities to achieve your goals satisfactorily.

As you can see, if your goals are important for you, you must establish a strategy that will demand your deep involvement. Do you have these keys?

6 steps that can help you are:

First step: Define your goals. It is important to be realistic.

Second step: Define a date in which your goals will be achieved, this way you set your long-term goal.

Third step: Divide your final goal into smaller ones. Accumulate them, each one must get you closer to the final goal, those are your short-term goals.

Fourth step: Recognize the resources you need to achieve your goals, (materials, human or financial). Every goal, short or long term needs those resources, don't skip any even if you already have them.

Fifth step: Review your goals periodically.

Sixth step: Modify, adapt or change your periodic goals as necessary.

By: Andres Mayo Gongora

Every year represents an opportunity to reset our goals. If we want to achieve professional and personal success we must go further than good intentions that we abandon as days pass. 

The key to success consists in knowing our goals and not dispersing efforts unnecessarily. 

To Establish clear and effective goals I recommend to use the SMART system. This technic is used by organizations when they develop their strategic plans.

What is SMART about?

S.M.A.R.T. is a resource in which every letter represents an adjective that describes an effective way to establish our goals.

Specific

Measurable

Attainable

Relevant

Timely

1. Specific

What I want to achieve?

To define our goals, it´s essential to describe in detail what you want to achieve in the future. Choose a subject that you want to improve and establish a goal. 

If your goal is very complex it might help to set little goals that settle and reinforce the principal goal. 

2. Measurable

To know the success level of a goal it's important to establish indicators. Which numbers I'll use to measure this goal?

Every goal can be measured and it's the best way to evaluate it. For example, if you want to work less, How many hours less a day? If you want to read more, how many books do you want to read this year? Break down your goal into numbers that you might easily understand.

This characteristic is one of the most relevant factors in continuous improvement process and quality.

3. Attainable

When establishing your goals, ask yourself. Can I Do it?

It doesn't matter what you want to accomplish, what truly matters is knowing if you can really do it, otherwise, you will be losing time.

Goals must adjust to your reality and environment, in a way they are challenging and not unrealistic expectations. Know your actual situation, identify your talents and limits. Consider the available resources you can use to achieve your goals.

4. Relevant

Your goal must have a clear meaning, to clarify this section you should ask yourself: How does achieving this goal will help me?

It's important to understand the "whys" of each goal you set your mind to, otherwise, you will never accomplish something concrete in your life.

5. Timely

How long does it take to achieve this objective?

A goal must take place in a specific period, otherwise, it could be extended indefinitely, taking us to a loss of interest that might impact in our achievement.

When you define a date to achieve your goal you establish a compromise. 

Resources

Goals: How to get everything you want faster than you ever thought possible, Brian Tracy, 2010

by: Andrés Mayo Gongora