Depending upon which theory you follow when goal setting and creating your own personal development plan, the way you set goals will vary. Some people prefer to just write down a list of things they want to do, but usually that ends up looking more like a to-do list. Though it might look like an impressive list, it isn’t exactly a goal list at all. Goals are tied in to values, and/or domains of your life. Let’s take an in-depth look at the theory of goal setting where you look at the portions of your life.
Domain Method
One theory behind goal setting is to take a look at the various domains of your life. Spiritual, Intellectual, Financial, and Physical are examples of domains. With this theory of goal setting, you take a look at how you are doing in each domain. How are you, physically? What things of your physical life need addressing? Perhaps you need to stop smoking, or lose fifty pounds. Maybe you’ve got a mole that’s been changing in some “interesting” ways.
Once you’ve identified how you are doing in each domain and written the information down, following this goal setting theory you can write down what you’d like to change. Finally lose the weight. Or go back to church. Or save money for a vacation…Whatever it is you’d like to accomplish to make that part of your life better.
The next step with this theory of goal setting is to identify the obstacles that are in the way of you accomplishing what you say you want to accomplish. Is it getting up to eat ice cream (2 big bowls) in the middle of the night? Or the fact that you have ten tv shows you just can’t skip? Then think of ways to get over those obstacles. Maybe you can only buy one quart of ice cream a week, and when it’s gone, it’s gone – which would be cutting down on ice cream consumption. Or maybe it is to tape your TV shows so you can watch them faster, without commercials – freeing up more time to do other things that are important.
After identifying obstacles and ways beyond them, the final step is to identify the activities that will get you to the goal. Perhaps it is going for a walk every evening, right after dinner while the dishwasher runs. Maybe it is to sign up with a weight loss company and have their help to lose those pounds. Whatever the activities, that’s a critical part of this theory of goal setting.
