Personal Goal Setting

By 19 commentsRides, Tat,

Goals, Not Resolutions

As a marketing manager at Utility Masters, I’m quite used to setting business goals.  I don’t subscribe to the notion of New Year’s Resolutions because they seem to be used most commonly to rationalise failure later in the year.  They are also so woolly as to be useless – how exactly do you define sucess against your “be a better person” or “get fitter” resolutions?

Instead, I decided to set myself some personal goals instead this morning, using good old-fashioned business cliches.  Objectives have to be SMART:

  • Specific – stating exactly what you intend to achieve
  • Measurable – so you know what defines achieving it
  • Achieveable – so you actually have a chance
  • Realistic – make sure you can do it – it can be hard, but you’ve got to get there
  • Timed – when will you aim to do it by?

So, the box that’s been published in my sidebar this lunchtime is my own measurement of how I’m doing this year.  My main goals are two events I intend to complete this year, plus a fundraising target for the Hospice where my Mum was so wonderfully cared for.

I’ll also be tracking my cycling and running this year, for you all to poke fun at by way of encouragement.

Please let me know what you think, and offer any additions that you think will help me in 2010. Thanks! 🙂

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19 comments on “Personal Goal Setting”

  1. ridingthemoor

    About time you had some goals.. Although it’s a bit of bandwagon jumping isn’t it?? 😀

    You need to update your stats or get out on your bike, especially now the snow and ice has melted. I’ve only set 51 goals and have completed just under a third in 12 months.

    Keep up the good work!

  3. John Girvin

    SMART goals are good, but I also think that, when we’re talking about personal goals, you’re allowed some latitude and can set general principles as well. Ones that maybe aren’t so specific or even measurable. What do you think?

  4. Phill

    51 goals? Are they broken down by week? If there’s a good bandwagon, I’m a jumper. I’ve got the kit I need and publishing my success and/or failure will help me pull my finger out.

    Thanks!

  5. Phill

    Two big ones (for me at any rate) and then I need to complete training plans to do them, so they’ll keep me going. I’m actually looking for a mini duathlon to dabble with but I don’t know of any yet. Maybe for the Autumn..
    Three’s better than none! 😉

  6. ridingthemoor

    Mine are broken down by when I have time to achieve them. I don’t think I’m doing too badly and this year i’m way in front of last years mileage.

  7. Phill

    I’m broken down too 🙂 sometimes. From your blog you’re doing really well, I have to say – so it’s working for you. I’ve got training plans pinned up at home and that’s working so far, but toodetailed and boring for the blog. I’ll just update the stats as I go. Keep it up, sir!

  8. Phill

    John G, I do agree with you, but my “non measurable” personal goals can’t be audited. I’ll know (and now so will you) if I’ve done the run, the ride and raised the charity money. As far as other things like brightening up the lives of my kids, loved ones and a few strangers – I will continue to try to do that but it’s for the warm fuzzy feeling and the karma, not for the hard-nosed measurement here or elsewhere.

    So I guess I’m agreeing with you, but I definitely need some SMART ones.

    A good point well made, thanks.

  10. lost

    Good on you for setting targets. I did last year and completed most of them.

    This year my aim is to just get out and ride. I’m still recovering from the pelvis injury from last year, so for me it’s all about getting my fitness back. Oh, and finding myself a new bike club 😉

  11. Phill

    It’s hard to measure fitness, but it’s a good aim to have. The run and ride I’m doing are mainly for that too, I’m not motivated enough to get fit for fitness’ sake. I hope that by summer I’ll need more, bigger goals to achieve! 🙂 Good luck with yours.

  12. lost

    You will do! I’ve my fitness from the last half of last year to compare it to, though I ideally want the fitness to get back to the same level as 2008.

    The only reason I’m focussing on the fitness side of things is purely due to the pelvic injury. I lost a hell of a lot of fitness and strength after that. Truth be told, it’s an injury I’ll be recovering from for another yr or so due to how bad it was.

    But, you know, I’m getting out riding still, which is the main aim. The night rides help too as the roads are clearer so my sprinting can be done without fear of getting splattered again! 😉

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  15. Phill

    Well, so far my bike’s languishing in the shed, still. Thanks to the purchase of a teadmill though, I’m jogging regularly. I’m determined to get a quick bike loop done tomorrow though as I have the afternoon to myself. Lots of new gear to attach to the family’s bikes too (pumps, locks …) so it’s a shed day for me!

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  17. ridingthemoor

    don’t worry, you’re not the only one. I won’t be able to do the Over the Edge ride – Again! 🙁

  18. Phill

    I might commit to it for next year. I knew I couldn’t this year, but now that I think I’m definitely not a runner I have no excuse to continue being rubbish on the bike too! 🙁

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