How to Write Your Goal … plus the No.1 tip to get it!

Tree of Life Today I made a HUGE distinction in how to write your goals. I thought I’d share it with you.

Before we get going I need to let you know that the number 1 tip for how to write your goal or goals is actually to write them down. I’ve been writing my goals down for years – and getting most of what I set. So let me assure you that learning how to write your goals the right way, and actually writing them down is one of the most life-changing things you can do for yourself.

Last year my friend and mentor Paul Blackburn reminded me not only to write all of my goals down in a goals book, but to spare no expense on the book itself. So last year I switched to a more elaborate goals book, a lovely dark brown leather-bound one with an embossed cover. It’s textural, it’s nice to hold and it feels substantial, weighty, like a prized possession where the really important things are recorded.

Embossed on the front is a giant tree, it’s branches stretch high into the air above and it’s huge stabilising roots plunge through the ground below. It represents the many different things I do, each being a different branch trying to find its own space in the canopy, and reminds me of my need to stay grounded and focussed.

Inside are a hundred or so hand-made paper pages, each with their own subtle flecks of colour. The pages are rough and textural – not so great to write on with a biro or ball point pen, but beautiful to read and feel each day as I turn each page reading through my goals, skipping the ones I have already achieved – which are adorned with brightly coloured success stickers, hearts and stars for a job well done – to re-read the ones I’m still journeying towards.

So now you’ve found a special goals book to write in, let me reveal my HUGE distinction in how to write your goal.

Recently I decided to return to the workforce, not because I don’t love what I do, but because working predominately on your own is, well, rather lonely. It’s a void not even Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter can fill, no matter how much they may try. I also feel I’m missing a bit of structure in my life. So lately I’ve been yearning to work in a team, with a common purpose, on a mission to add value and contribute to a worthy cause or organisation. And so in January I wrote my goal to this end.

“It is 28th February 2014 and I have found the perfect ‘job’ for 3 x 8hr days of regular income (undisclosed) whether it be permanent part-time or preferably contract. I am in a supportive environment where I can add value, I am appreciated and contributing and making a difference. It’s location is close to home, walking distance (10 to 15 minutes) and it’s fun!!”

Sounds like a pretty good goal, right?

I thought so, and I started scouring the Internet for exactly that role. And I found it. The right organisation, the right role and the right money. Perfect!

It has been almost 7 years since I applied for ANYTHING and things have changed in the resume and job application space. So first I did a heap of research in how to write my resume and updated it. Then the my perfect job had a number of ‘gates’ to get through. First you had to go to their website and check out the PD (Position Description). The role on the web site had a different title from the one advertised, and as they were advertising 5 roles finding it was the first gate to hurdle.

Then their requirements were extensive and very specific … I met them all. Gate 2 hurdled. Then they wanted a Resume of no more than 3 pages (oh boy, mine was 6 so a lot of condensing came next). Gate 3 hurdled. They wanted a ‘no more than 2 page KSC response’. What the heck is a KSC Response? Google to the rescue showed it was a Key Selection Criteria Response and several articles later I was well-educated in preparing one. Gate 4 hurdled. Application complete they then wanted a cover letter addressed to a specific person, and email address not listed in the original job advert. Gate 5 hurdled.

I was excited when a few days later they called and asked me to come in for an interview. New suit, make-up perfect, shoes shined, compendium ready and nerves settled I performed very well in it indeed. Gate 6 hurdled. Unfortunately, almost 2 weeks later, they rang with an apology. I’d been pipped at the post coming in second. . Final gate 7 I tripped. My perfect job went to an applicant that had experience ‘more in line’ with what they do. Hmmm, I’m still waiting for feedback from the interviewers as to exactly what that means.

Wordcreateworld So today, now that the disappointment of missing out on my dream job has dissipated, I went back and re-read my goals and I discovered a fundamental flaw in that goal. In my review today I realised I had actually gotten the goal, even though I missed out on the job. And that discovery has led me to write this blog on how to write your goals in the hope that you don’t make the same mistake, so you’re not disappointed or even heart-broken like I was when I missed out on my dream ‘job’.

You see my goal was actually open to misinterpretation and reinterpretation. You see what I’d written in my goal was that “… I have found the perfect ‘job’…” not that I was ‘working’ in the perfect ‘job’. So you see I did in fact reach my goal, it’s just the I was not word specific enough in writing my goal as I truly wanted it. It’s the need to write your goals so specifically, so precisely and exactly, that it’s not open to any misinterpretation. Learn this lesson quickly and you’ll learn how to write your goals so that you get exactly what you want each and every time.

I’ve now reset my goal:

“It is 15th April 2014 and I am working in the perfect ‘job’. I am working 24-40 hours per week, (undisclosed) pro rata, permanent, contract or part-time. I’m in a supportive, stress controlled, fun environment where I can add value, I am appreciated, contributing and making a difference. I am not overworked and my travel time to work is short, being less than 20 minutes walking distance from home.”

Now all I’m hoping is this goal is not open to re-interpretation and my dream job is merely 4 or 5 weeks away from being manifested.

Fingers crossed.