by Roland Majla | October, 2023 | Goals, Roland Majla
Listen to the audio version of this article. In life, we all have goals that we want to achieve. These goals can be big or small, short-term or long-term. But regardless of their size or scope, our goals are important because they give us something to strive for. They provide us with a sense of purpose and direction, and they help us to stay motivated and focused. But what happens when our goals are challenged by circumstances? What if we experience setbacks or obstacles that make it seem impossible to achieve our goals? In these moments, it’s important to remember that our goals are still worth pursuing. Even if we have to adjust our timelines or change our strategies, we should never give up on our dreams. There are many benefits to pursuing goals (Latham, 2004), even in the face of challenging circumstances. For one, setting and achieving goals can boost our self-esteem and confidence. When we accomplish something that we set our minds to, it gives us a sense of accomplishment and pride. This can lead to a more positive outlook on life and a greater sense of well-being. In addition, pursuing goals can help us to learn and grow. When we face challenges, we are forced to step outside of our comfort zones and develop new skills and abilities. This can make us more resilient and adaptable in the face of future challenges. Finally, pursuing goals can help us to connect with others (Pineda & Lerner, 2006). When we share our goals with others, we can find support and encouragement. This can make the journey to...
by Sarah Cramoysan | February, 2023 | Goals, Sarah Cramoysan
When I was a new mother some 20+ years ago, Gina Ford published ‘The contented Little Baby Book” outlining her strict daily routines for parents and babies to follow, based on her experience as a maternity nurse. Opinions on the book split the world of new parents. Some of my friends saw it as a godsend – finally, they had a manual on how to manage their babies, along with detailed timings as to what to do and when. Others like me, took a more earth-mother approach, going with the flow and hating the idea of a strictly enforced routine. It was at that point in my life that it really struck me that maybe neither approach was ‘right’ or ‘wrong’, but what was important was to find an approach that suited the parents’ organisational style. Some people love lists, structure, routines and goals – others prefer a more meandering approach to life, going with the flow and pursuing what interests them at the time. Both approaches have pros and cons, and whatever our personal style is (and that may change over time and circumstances), we should embrace our strengths, but also be humble enough to realise that a different approach also has its strengths and at times we can learn something from that. Fast forward 20 years and whilst studying Snyder’s hope theory in Positive Psychology, I realised I had a problem with the word ‘goals’. Say ‘goal’ to me and it takes me back to working in IT in the 1980s and the acronym SMART – you will be more likely to meet a goal if it...
by Kelly Seaward | February, 2020 | Goals, Kelly Seaward
In the dawn of time, with the ebb and flow of the rhythm of life, the presence of change whispers. This is the first stirrings of a new beginning. This is the face of the New Year and regarding 2020, also a new decade. The word NEW echoes through as one chapter close and another one opens. The importance of a new year is the power it offers in a new beginning. The Power of Goal Setting to Activate Change A couple of years ago I felt like I was going around in a circle. I was in a good place in life, I had lots of successful moments, but the sense of flow seemed static. There was something missing, even though I had all these past successes. When I explored further the reason I landed at this place, was due to completing all my dreams. I had been so focused on them, that in their completion, I had forgotten to make new ones. I stood there thinking: What do I want now? I had become bored with my comfort zone, yet I didn’t really know what was next? This was new for me, as I was the teenager who knew what she wanted when she left school. So began to read everything I could on goal setting. I invested in a goal setting diary, so I could get more clarity where I wanted to be. The goals are broken down into material, financial, emotional, mind-set, home-based, relationship and spiritual goals. The first year it was a slow process, but I still continue this goal setting practice and this...
