Dr. Maxine's Top Five Goal Setting Tips

1.     Set goals that are personal to you

When setting goals remember to set goals that are of your own conception, have value to you and are not too simple. Assure that your goals are goals you want for yourself and are not goals someone else wants for you. For example, my dad always had a dream for me. He wanted me to be a medical doctor. That was not my goal or dream. During my first year of college I tried to convince myself that it was my goal also. I could not convince myself of that. I knew what my passions were and what I view myself doing for the rest of my life. I took my first college psychology course when I was only sixteen and was programming my Aquarius computer using BASIC for a few years at the time. I envisioned combining my love for the computer and my curiosity about all things mental into one passion—I wanted to be an artificial intelligence programmer. I wanted to be at the cutting edge of technology. As time went on, my goals changed. In my early twenties I landed my dream job. I was teaching computer software courses for the United Negro College Fund. I saw a new career path and my goals changed. Throughout this period my dad did express his disappointment at the fact that I was not well on my way to becoming a medical doctor. Despite this, I was headstrong and determined to do what brought me the most joy in life. I stuck with computer training, became self-employed and after twenty years of working with computers, I decided to return to school and pursue a career in psychology. Because of setting personal goals that are my own I now live the life I’ve always wanted to. I am a doctor but not the kind of doctor my dad envisioned me being but the kind of doctor that makes me happy. I went into this very personal chronicle of my changing dreams to show how you can own your goals. Ultimately your goals should be your own and not someone else’s goals for you. You are the master of your destiny. Start acting like it by setting very personal goals.

2. Take the time to pen your goals 

In order to keep the focus while attempting to achieve your goal, it is necessary for you to write down your goals and the steps necessary to achieve your goal. In addition to this, you have to assure that your goals are S.M.A.R.T. S.M.A.R.T. goals are specific goals that are measurable, attainable, realistic and time-bounded. In penning your goals make sure that you write down why your goals are specific, how they can be measured, the steps you will use to attain them and the time frame in which they will be attained. Having your goals in your head is not good enough. In fact, it almost guarantees failure. As you write down your goals, you are able to carefully think about them as well as to reframe and refine them.

 3. Search high and low for resources to help you achieve your goals

The fact that you remain a member of this goal setting group tells me that you have made strides towards achieving your goals. As always, I continue to be an invaluable resource to you. I do know something about goal setting and attainment. My resume speaks for itself but I am not the ultimate authority in goal setting. Seek out other resources that will assist you in achieving your goals. The internet is a valuable resource. Search for goal setting tips and tricks that may work for you.

4.  Set multiple goals for different areas of your life

One of the most fundamental aspects of life as we know it is the ability to multitask and to achieve in all aspects of life. When you set goals, it is okay to set multiple goals. I am very driven so I have multiple goals at a time. For my coaching business, it is my goal to coach as many as 125 clients per year. For my not-for-profit business I hope to hope to assist as many as 60 families per year and for the publication arm of my coaching business I hope to impact the lives of 10,000 individuals worldwide. Oh! I forgot, for my literary initiative, I hope to put books in the hands of 2,000 marginalized individuals annually and if there is still time remaining I hope to earn my third and final doctorate in forensic psychology by age 50. As unrealistic as it may appear to others, all of this is possible for me because I am a driven, hardworking woman. I did not mention my personal goals because I have accomplished all of the personal goals I have for now. I am married to my best friend, have all of the children I intend to have (a son and two daughters) as well as three pets (2 cats and a turtle). Needless to say, I am happy and fulfilled in my personal life but my professional life is still a work in progress.

5.  Be clear about your assets and liabilities

In order to achieve your goals, it is imperative for you to know what you are working with. Know your strengths and weaknesses. Your strengths are your strengths. They cannot be taken away from you. Your weaknesses, however, are an area of deficit that can be improved upon. Work hard to make your weaknesses new strengths. For instance, if you are a poor public speaker and it is your goal to be a motivational speaker because you feel that you have a story that can move others to action, don’t abandon your goal because you are poor at speaking in public. In lieu of this, let your first step be taking public speaking courses and when you have attained the skill level begin your career by speaking for free in local churches and move on to paid speaking engagements.