Goal Setting Help
By Keith Zimcosky

January is the month for New Year’s resolutions. This is a great time for you to set your personal and professional goals for 2008.

If you haven’t created your personal and profession goals yet, now is definitely the time to do so! These goals should be hand written and posted! You can post these on your refrigerator or even on the visor of your car. By writing and posting these goals, you will have direction throughout 2008. In addition to posting your goals, don’t be afraid to write some motivational quotes as well.

When creating goals be sure to use the SMART goal approach!
Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Realistic
Timely

The last thing you want to do is set goals for yourself that are unreachable or unobtainable. This will only defeat you in the long run. Make sure these goals can be reached but provide enough of a challenge that you have to do some work to achieve them.

Some SMART goal examples to create confidence and maintain a positive attitude throughout 2008:

  • Starting in January, I will eliminate the word hate from my vocabulary! Each time I use that word I will write a positive complimentary word about myself to offset it.
    • The word hate is a highly negative word and brings on negative emotions.
  • By June 30th, 2008 my goal is to increase my fitness level to walking 30 minutes a day 4 times a week.
    • Exercise is a great way to build confidence. Plus you burn stress and calories in calories in the process.
  • Starting January 7th, I will compliment 1 new person daily on what they are wearing, saying, or an accomplishment they may have achieved.
    • If you are shy or lack confidence, start doing this and you will watch your confidence grow. Plus you might make a new friend in the process.
  • Effective immediately, I will start walking with my head up quit looking down at the ground when I walk past strangers.
    • Walking with you head up is a sign of true confidence. Start doing it and you will feel better about yourself and your confidence will grow.

If you are stuck in a work environment that you do not like here are some SMART goals for you to help you stay motivated:

  • I will update my resume and cover letter by January 31st.
    • Doing so will help you create a positive attitude and feel better about your current role because you are planning your escape from the environment you are currently subjected to.
    •  
  • Every Sunday until I find a new position, I will send out 10 resumes to potential employers.
    • Even if you are not serious about looking, just submitting a resume will help boost your esteem and make you feel better about yourself, and who knows you may land the job you have always desired!
  • My goal is to go on at least 1 interview a month during 2008.
    • This will help you with your interviewing skills and better prepare you for when you are ready to actively pursue a career with another company.

 Whatever your goals are for 2008, good luck! Stick to your goals because as you accomplish them you will feel a lot better about yourself!

                   “Establishing personal and professional goals not only gives you direction in life but                     they are a confident booster when you achieve what you set out to do”
                                                                   Keith Zimcosky, President Interview Connections

 

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