I read an article earlier today about procrastination and how people who have gone to the trouble of setting goals end up not following through because:

1. They haven’t set a timeframe in which to achieve the goal (therefore it remains that thing they will do ‘some day’ off in the future)

2. The goal has not been broken down into manageable pieces ((therefore it causes overwhelm and freezes people ‘out of’ action)

The purpose of goal setting frameworks is to enable the goal setter to write down goals that make sense, have a timeline and that include ‘measurable’ steps to fulfilling the overall goal.

I have usually used the SMART framework, however having recently been introduced to RUMBA – and I love dancing – I wanted to share this option with you.

Imagine your end goal, it’s what you want to have or see, and in order to get there you have to do a number of practical things, these being the objectives.

REALISTIC – Common sense you may think yet it is the setting of unrealistic goals that often crush people’s confidence. When you focus on the realistic think; what is realistic for me to do today, tomorrow, this week, this month? These small steps will lead you into the end goal in a way that works with your time and commitments. But do not be afraid to stretch yourself!

Example of a short-term end goal: To create a business plan for my online wedding cake business by 1^st August 2012

By the end of week 1 (date it!) I have a business plan template and confirmed company name ready to be completed with my research findings

Realistic steps: Day 1 – I research business plans online to familiarise myself with the different formats. Day 2 – I choose a format that best suits my business idea and needs (Do I need investment? Will it be a local enterprise, national, etc) Day 3 – I check that the name I want to use for my business is available. Day 4…. Day 5….

UNDERSTANDABLE – Be specific about the goal. The more specific it is the less likely you are to deviate from it or blame something or someone else for not having achieved it. ‘I am going to write a business plan’ is an ambiguous goal! When will you start, stop, what will you do? None of these has been answered!

Example: ‘To create a business plan for my online wedding cake business by 1^st August 2012’ is specific. This example tells you what you are committing to do, what it is for and when it will be done by. Then the realistic content provides the step by step plan of how

MEANINGFUL– Goals should be things that are important to you; that is what gives them meaning. When other people set goals for you that don’t resonate or mean anything to you, they are difficult to stick with.

Example: I am passionate about cakes and want to continue to develop my skills in creating amazing, tasty cakes. On a scale of 1-10, where 1 is not interested in the business idea and 10 is totally consumed by the business idea I am a __ fill in the blank. Ask yourself: If it is less than 10 – Why? What would make it a 10? Does it need to be 10 in order for you to get it done?

BELIEVABLE – If you don’t believe it can be achieved how will you achieve it? How will you be able to persuade and influence others about what you are doing? Inner belief is key… Look for examples that underpin your belief (past successes, your level of determination, etc)

Example: I believe that with the right support (specify what that might be; resources, etc) I can develop my business idea into a profitable online cake business by 2014.

AGREED – Who will your goal affect? Will it impact loved ones, work colleagues, friends? If so you want to involve them from the start and get their support. Ensure that they are people who really care about your desire to succeed and
who will encourage you, not pull you down.

When you set goals in this way you are leaving little to chance, setting out clear actions you need to take, identifying the resources you require and lining up the support you will need to get over the finishing line. And why wouldn’t you want to do that?!

Live Blissfully!

YvonneB