Goal Setting and Achieving

"A Goal is a dream with a deadline" - Napoleon Hill

Goal is defined as an aim or desired result. Goals in life are many; different from individual to individual. "Education has several noble and lofty goals. However for most of us the vital goal is identifying a career that would offer us an early job. " - B.S.Warrier - Career Consultant

Want to be a..

One wants to become an administrator; another wants to become an adventurer; yet another wants to become an architect or artist, auditor, businessman, caterer, doctor, discoverer, engineer, executive, industrialist, journalist, pilot, scientist, sportsperson, teacher, writer and so on..

Role models:

A brief list of inspiring personalities is given hereunder: Former President, A.P.J.Abdul Kalam, the rocket scientist, who moved from a fishing village to Rashtrapathi Bhavan with vision for the New Millennium; Sir Edmund Hillary, who became the first man to stand on both the poles - north and south - and the top of the world - Mount Everest in 1985. Dhirubhai Ambani who rose from humble beginnings to become the founder of the largest industrial empire in India; Kiran Bedi, the first woman IPS officer in India, Ilayaraja, the music maestro, who moved from Pannaipuram to gain world fame through symphony; Nobel laureate Sir. C.V.Raman who gave a name to the 'Raman Effect';

Set a goal :

"If you can dream it you can do it"- Walt Disney

When a famous painter was once asked about his success in the field, he answered "I dream my painting first. Then I paint my dream."

"Dream, dream, dream, dream...

Transform into thoughts

And

Thoughts result in action"

In setting a goal one must remember the mnemonic SMART.

S-Specific	- Goal must be definite - e.g. to become a scientist, IPS ., etc..
M-Measurable	- Progress attained in the set goal must be measurable as achievement in 2 years, 5 years, 10 years and so on.. as a ASP, SP, DIG, IG, ADGP and DGP.
A-Attainable	- The goal set must be attainable to goal setter. eg. A person aspiring for an Olympic medal must develop the body and stamina to attain it.
R- Related	- The goal must be related to the aptitude, course of study and career chosen. e.g. Wildlife Biologist must have studied Biology and the desire for conservation.
T-Time Bound	-The preparation for attainment of the set goal must have a time limit. e.g. I must become a doctorate in Nanotechnology in 4 years and so on.

Questions to be addressed to self:

One must get answers for the following questions and proceed with goal setting.

What is your goal in life?

What are the short-term goals and long-term goals?

What are your interests, likes and dislikes?

What is your aptitude?

Whether the requirements of a career match with your abilities?

Whether a particular career fulfills both short-term and long-term goals?

What are the obstacles in reaching the goal?

Is the goal reachable?

If not, what are the alternate and achievable goals?

What are the opportunities available?

What is the scope of the course of study selected / training course chosen?

Whether the institution offering the course / career recognised?

What are the facilities available in the institution for achieving the goal?

Whether the course chosen matches with your financial background?

Aptitude and goal:

Aptitude is the natural ability or tendency of a person. Aptitude of a person must be assessed property to determine the goals and trying to achieve them. As Stevie Wonder puts its "We all have ability. The difference is how we use it."

"Can do" attitude :

"There is nothing you can not be

There is nothing you can not do and

There is nothing you can not have -

All you have to do is to believe in you"

The 'Can do' attitude knows when to work and when to rest; when to ask for help and when to go it alone. With a positive state of mind a person's actions, habits and character will definitely lead to the attainment of goal.

Thought Action Habit Character Destiny

Thoughts determine one's actions; when actions are repeated, they become habits; habits will determine the character and character will determine a person's destiny. (Adapted from Let's look within, customer Good will II Indian Railways - NIS Sparta Ltd., Pages 55 & 61)

Focus

Focus is a very important aspect in achieving the goal.

"Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun's rays do not burn until brought to a focus" - Alexander Graham Bell.

Requirements for Successful Careers

• 1.Good Planning
• 2.Time Management
• 3.Hard Work
• 4.Concentration in Work
• 5.Commitment
• 6.Self-Confidence
• 7.Acquiring desired knowledge and higher scores
• 8.Development of needed skills - Practical, communication and leadership skills

As Thiruvalluvar records in Thirukkural Chapter 67, Verse 666. "If those who think to achieve have a firm and focussed mind, they will realize what they thought of and even as they thought of."

Remember the Mantra:

"You Can, if You think you can"

Having set your goals, invest your Time, Energy and Resources in your Future.

Best Wishes for a bright and prosperous Future.

Prof. K. Paramanandham, M.Sc., M.Phil.

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