Setting a goal: By Coach Stephanie

Make a goal! Sure, I have lots of them. Oh, if only it were that simple, I would have conquered every single goal and outcome I ever wanted in life. How many goals have I failed in achieving because I just lacked the awareness about how my goal creation was flawed.

Now, my behavior analyst brain kicks in and starts considering specifically defining the goal. How many were just failures because I neglected to actually define the goal in a manner that can be achieved? How many steps have to be made to even get close to the goal?

Well, this all depends.

When I set goals, I make sure they are OBSERVABLE and MEASURABLE. If I am reaching toward an unmeasurable or imaginary goal, how can I ever achieve it? Furthermore, is there ever an end? I also break down the goal into smaller tasks. This way, I not only have access to little triumphs along the way (see Behavior Momentum) but I can also detect any of the flaws in the planning and larger learning tasks. Setting observable and measurable goals will not only support your successes, but is part of a PLAN to continue your path toward success!