role is defined as the characteristic or expected behavior of an individual. A goal is where we want to end up, the prize at the end of the journey. A goal is also identified as the stepping-stones or the individual steps we must traverse in order to achieve our objective. So what about roles and goals?

For us to achieve our dreams requires an individual to understand their long-term successes are a direct result of what can be achieved each day. For us to hit the target of our dreams, it is much easier to hit if we can see the target. Goals provide our daily routine. They show us where to start and to establish our priorities. Goals provide the organization and the structure with the regimented activity required to accomplish each step along the way. But unless we can move ourselves to create our goals we might as well be blindfolded and shooting at our target.

Having goals identified and written down is part of the first step. In addition, we must commit ourselves to the goals. Sharing your goals with a person who understands and believes in what you are doing is also important. That person can provide another perspective on what you are about to undertake, and later can be a source of encouragement when some kind words will help keeping you moving forward.

Goals must be realistic so as to not set yourself up for disappointment and failure. On the other hand, goals must be challenging enough so you don’t sleepwalk your way to your objective. The goal must be attainable considering your starting point and present situation.

As you move down the path of your goal, it should be flexible to adjust to situations over which you have no control. Should this happen, make the changes and modifications necessary to keep you moving forward.

Goals should be definite and measurable – they are to be specific so there is no confusion over whether or not the goal has been accomplished. Timeframes are to be clearly identified with specific dates. If the goal is not accomplished in its entirety, what percentage or what parts are identified to measure your success.

Finally, your goal should be set in advance of starting your journey. This way there is no confusion over the steps and actions you will need to take to accomplish the goal. As was stated previously, if we don’t identify where we want to go, how will we know when we get there?

Goals can be broken down into categories – most frequently short-term goals, intermediate goals and long-term goals. Short-term goals are important as they begin to provide structure and discipline to our actions. These may be goals we set to focus behavior we wish to change. It is also here where we will face our first challenges. Yet with some minor changes to how we think or do things, we can get back on the road to accomplish these goals. Short-term goals are also important, as they will provide our first opportunity to complete one of our required steps. With small successes with our short-term goals, we will have the confidence and fuel to move forward to more difficult goals.

Intermediate goals tend to be a number of months in length, up to a number of years in length. These become more difficult to accomplish and may require a series of short-term goals to be completed leading up to the accomplishment of this larger objective.

Long-term goals are ones in which a number of years are required to complete the steps of the goal. This type of goal takes the future into consideration and is typically tied into your life’s work, your career plans, or personal objectives. These goals also are consistent with and support your vision or life purpose. Long-term goals are built with consistent accomplishment of certain short-term and intermediate goals. Most likely these goals are developed by working backwards from the desired outcome, breaking down numerous steps into sequential short-term and intermediate goals.

Goals are our roadmap to success. They identify the roads to take which will ultimately lead us to our destination. Without them, we are merely traveling down the road and changing direction each time something strikes our fancy. But even with our goals identified, we still must follow the direction and required steps of each goal to lead us to our desired destination.

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