In short, goal setting is just a process of dreaming and planning of one’s preferred future, and encouraging and empowering oneself to turn the dream into a reality with the help of a systematic game plan.

In the corporate / business world, we call it “strategic visionising”!

I want to share with you at this juncture a basic execution model for setting goals and achieving goals, which I have had the wonderful opportunity to test and fine-tune the road:

1) First and foremost, by exploring these issues, you know exactly what you want, and why you want them, in terms of persuasive, encouraging and over-arching long-range objectives and goals:

A) What would I want to be?

B) What would I want to do?

C) What would I like to have?

D) What would I like to improve on?

E) What would I like to change?

In conjunction with the following main aspects of life in your life:

I scholarly pursuit;

(ii) psychic development;

Iii) expectations for a career;

iv) physical fitness;

V) prosperity in financial terms;

Vi) relationships in the family (including romance);

Vii) social networking operations;

Viii) leisure activities (including hobbies, passions, games, holidays, etc.);

Ix) spiritual growth (including social contributions, volunteering etc.);

x) enterprising side-gigs, if any;

Take your time, just as you think about your future!

2) Convert all your long-range objectives and goals in (1) after completion of (1) into relevant, prioritised and executable tasks that you need to perform daily , weekly , monthly, quarterly, and even annually;

The cornerstone of your systematic game plan is this initiative!

3) Figure out the starting point, end point and the developmental course of transition points in between, with the end in mind as formulated in (1 ) and ( 2);

You can now factor in whatever learning programme / study plan / side-gig project plan you have in mind at this stage!

4) Define particular tasks that you need to perform before the endpoint at each transition point;

5) To assess your success or milestone milestones, create metrics;

6) Delegate and assign personal responsibility, as such tasks can need to be shared, such as, if any, with team members;

7) Define and marshal resources that are needed to accomplish all the work;

Money; Methods; Men; Machines; Materials; Metrics; and Mojo![I like to call them the 7 M’s. ]

8) Schedule a schedule for each predefined task to be completed;

9) As you drive on the Highway of Life, illustrate possible issues or obstacles that can arise;

10) Brainstorm a variety of potential methods with which to deal (9);

The findings of your brainstorming will form the basis of your strategy for contingency.

11) Institute some sort of framework to map, monitor and track your forward trajectory, such as a visual Pert Chart, as set out in your systematic game plan, in accordance with all the essential elements from (4) to (10);

12) Massive follow-up and continuous monitoring of the systematic game plan;

13) Bring intensive effort and concentrated execution into your sweat equity;

14) Keep focused on your strategic goals, but be versatile in your tactical implementation.