Test the "worthiness" of your goals

Let us say you have arrived at your goals after much thought. Now that you have arrived at your goals, put them to some rigorous test. If the goals do not stand the rigour of your test, you are unlikely to accomplish them.

(Once you have answered all the questions, read out your answers aloud. Be honest. Do they ring true? Or you can detect some tentativeness in your answers?)

?1. Price to pay

Ask yourself the following questions and answer them with ruthless honesty.

a. Why should I pursue this goal?

b. Is it worth it? What incentives do I have for pursuing this?

c. Is this where I want to invest my limited resources of time and energy?

d. Are the payoffs likely to be much more than my efforts?

e. ,What other agendas might compete for my time and attention? (And come in the way of my pursuit of this goal?)

-????What are my current priorities?

-????What keeps me awake at night?

-????How will I find time for pursuing this goal?

-????How can I make this top priority?

?????(Mere wishful thinking will not help you accomplish your goals. You HAVE to invest time and commit to accomplishing these goals. Otherwise, you will just be fooling yourself.)

2. Microscope

Examine these issues carefully.

a.Is the goal stated in outcome/results language? Is it simple & clear? (Or is it fluffy, vague & open to interpretation, and sounds very important leading me to believe that I have got it right?)

b.Is it specific? How will I know when the goal is accomplished?

c.If I accomplish the goal will it make a difference? Will it help me in my future development and achieve my broad aim/intent?

d.Is this goal ‘substantive’?

e.Is this goal doable?

f.Can I sustain this over a long haul?

g.Is there focus and flexibility? Or is it too rigid?

h.Is this in keeping with my value systems or am I attempting something which is out of character for me?

i.Is my time frame reasonable?

j.Am I taking this up out of my free will or has the coach coerced me into this?

k.If you have a choice to opt-out at this stage, are you still like to continue with this goal? Are you sure?

3. Facing the truth

a.What is my readiness for taking up this goal?

b.How appealing is this goal to me? (If it does not score 5 on 4 don’t bother)

c.How badly do I want to accomplish this?

d.How hard am I willing to work?

e.How do I know I have the guts and the courage to stay with this, no matter what?

f.What is the chance that I might drop this mid-way? What excuses might I give myself?

g.How or what or who can help me stay on course?

h.What resources can help me?

i.What are the BIG benefits I can expect when I accomplish the goal? Are they big enough to justify my sacrifice and my efforts?

j.Am I doing this for myself or to please someone else?

k.Hand on my heart, how committed am I to this? (Or is this likely to be like many of my new year resolutions?)

4.“Now", “Soon” and “Long-term”

If after answering all the questions in sections 1, 2 & 3 you are crazy enough to still want to pursue your goals, Congratulations!

?Check your goals against these:

“Now” goals – some simple sub-goals that may start showing quick results and provide some relief and encouragement

“Soon” goals – Some quick steps that are doable and demonstrate early benefits within the first month or two

“Long-term goals” – Consistent actions that lead to tangible + intangible benefits over time (6months etc.)

?RS: April 12, 2022

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