Goals

Goal is the purpose that a plan is intended to achieve. An action to gain something of value. A goal can also mean the place that is designated as the end of a race or a journey. A successful attempt at scoring. A piece of game equipment consisting of the place toward which players of a game try to advance a ball or puck in order to score points. Destination is the ultimate goal for which something is done. Written directions for finding some location.



You're either working on your dreams and goals, or you're searching for dreams and goals that you feel are worth pursuing. Both journeys are extremely important, but not more important than increasing your knowledge. Learning something new should always be one of your main goals. You should have milestones within your milestones, and you should have milestones your entire life. So what's your next milestone? What's your mission? What are your priorities? You have to start somewhere, and you have to start sometime. What better place than here? What better time than now?

Engaged - Willpower - Learning with Purpose

Deliberate is doing something that was carefully thought out in advance, something unhurried and with care and dignity. To think about something carefully in order to weigh and discuss the pros and cons of an issue. Deliberate is to do something on purpose with a goal in mind, like learning something new and valuable.

Objective is the goal that is intended to be attained and achieved using effort in order to progress and move forward. To reach a point in time or a destination, either real or abstract. Objective also means having reasoning and understanding that is undistorted by emotion or personal bias and based on observable phenomena and not just based on what you feel or think you know.

Intention is an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions. Your purpose, needs vs. wants. Your motivations and inspiration. Mean well is to have good intentions, but not always the ability to carry them out. The road to hell is paved with perceived good intentions means that promises and plans must be put into action, or else they are useless. Intending to do good things is not the same as doing good things. Will Power.

Aim is to move towards a certain goal and have an ambitious plan with an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions. The goal intended to be attained and which is believed to be attainable. The action of directing something at an object. Loyalty.

Sake is a reason for wanting something done. The purpose of achieving or obtaining. (just do it for pete's sake)

Outcome is something that happens or is produced as the final consequence or product. A phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon. Outcome is a possible result of an experiment or trial.

Agenda is a temporally organized plan for matters to be attended to. Individual objectives or perspective. A list of matters to be taken up at a meeting.

Accomplish is to gain with effort. Perform - Progress - Legacy

Implementation is the act of accomplishing some aim or executing some order. Apply in a manner consistent with its purpose or design.

Calculate is to predict in advance and judge to be probable.

Consider is to think about something carefully. To regard or treat something with consideration, respect, and esteem. Information that should be kept in mind when making a decision. Considerate.

Ambition is a strong desire to do something or to achieve something that requires determination and hard work. A cherished desire and a strong drive for success.

Achievement is the action of accomplishing something. Achieve is to gain and succeed with effort.

Your North Star is something that you can count on that is felt steady and is reassuring. When you find your North Star, you know where you're headed. Your North Star should be wholesome and vital. Aiming toward your north star should bring more happiness and benefit to yourself and others. Guiding Light is something special or a person who has a profound influence on others and is a source of inspiration and admiration.

STAR = Stop-Think-Act-Review. 

SMART = Specific-Measurable-Actionable-Timely / SMART Criteria stands for Specific – target a specific area for improvement. Measurable – quantify or at least suggest an indicator of progress. Achievable – specify who will do it. Realistic – state what results can realistically be achieved, given available resources. Time-Related – specify when the result(s) can be achieved.

Most things only look difficult and impossible at first, but once you learn more about something, the less difficult it gets and the less impossible it becomes. The only difficult thing is taking the first step and having a commitment to take future steps, the goal itself is not that difficult. 1 Minute Rule - 20 Minute Rule - 80/20 Rule.

Goal Orientation is an individual disposition toward developing or validating one's ability in achievement settings. Previous research has examined goal orientation as a motivation variable useful for recruitment, climate and culture, performance appraisal, and selection. Studies have also used goal orientation to predict sales performance, goal setting, learning and adaptive behaviors in training, and leadership. Due to the many theoretical and practical applications of goal orientation, it is important to understand the construct and how it relates to other variables. In this entry, goal orientation will be reviewed in terms of its history, stability, dimensionality, antecedents, relationship to goal setting and consequences, relevance to motivation, and future directions for research.

Goal Dilution theory is the way we perceive the quality of products or services. The more singular something is in its purpose, the more effective we believe it is, or the more singular and focused something is, the better we believe it to be, at this one trait/purpose, and alternatively, the more that trait is diluted amongst others, the less good we believe it to be (even though it isn’t). Focus on one point at a time in your message.

Commitment - Determination

Commitment is the trait of sincere and steadfast fixity of purpose. The act of binding yourself intellectually or emotionally to a course of action. Contract involving obligation. A message that makes a pledge or an oath. Marriage.

Commit is to devote and dedicate yourself to an activity or cause. Focused priorities and persistence.

Dedicated is being devoted to a cause or ideal or purpose. Having Priorities - Will Power.

Faithful is being loyal and binding yourself to the responsibilities that you have. "if you commit to nothing, then you’ll be distracted by everything."

Devotion is a commitment to some purpose. Proactive (advocate) - Religion.

Determination is firmness of purpose. Determination in law is the process of establishing something exactly by calculation, research and the consideration of the facts. The conclusion of a dispute or lawsuit by the rendering of a final decision.

Persistent is never-ceasing and refusing to give up. To continually recur to the mind.

Striving is to exert much effort and energy in an attempt to attain a goal. Perfection.

Resolute is being firm in purpose or belief, but not stubborn. Resilient.

Unrelenting is not yielding in strength, severity, or determination. Not to be confused with stubbornness.

Get Down to Work is a phrase that means to start and direct your efforts and attention towards some goal.

Get Your Act Together means to organize yourself so that you do things in an effective way.

When Push comes to Shove is when one must commit oneself to an action or a decision. When the pressure is on, and when the situation is critical or urgent, and when the time has come for action, even if it is difficult, you act.

Push is milder than a shove. Push means a short and directed application of force. Shove means a rough push.

Pursuing is to carry out or participate in an activity in order to carry it further or to advance it. To be involved in something or in search for something. "So Close yet So Far".

I'm Getting There. Where's there? There is an abstract place that you have reached, a place where you know that you made a lot of progress, and now you can benefit from all that previous work that you did. It takes a long time to achieve certain goals, and when you finally get there, it's a wonderful feeling.

Long Game is a term used that says that you have long term goals and have a long term plan, so you're doing things now that will benefit you in the future. Potential.

Everyone should have Big Goals and Little Goals, with the little goals usually being just one of many steps to accomplishing bigger goals.

Most Goals are never a straight line, and priorities sometimes change. Be flexible and be ready to adapt. Break the goals down into more manageable chunks. If you can't do one thing then do another. Be the captain of your ship. Don't try to do it all, do as much as you can with the time you have. Try doing things that are the most important first.

Stay on Track is to stay on the path that one is on and to continue doing the things one is doing. Keep on the track and you will end up where you want to be. Back on Track means to return to the right path, or the right direction. Off Track means that you have lost focus and that you are distracted and are no longer working on your goals.

When the Obstacle Becomes the Way Forward — Marcus Aurelius' Meditations 5.20 - The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way." This notion that the obstacles that prevent us from achieving our goals can be used—and in some cases may even be necessary—to achieve those very goals seems not just Pollyanna-like but also paradoxical. Two Sides to Every Coin - Adversity is part of Nature.

Making a List - Check Lists

List your Biggest Goal First, which should be your reason for living, your passion. List the steps to reach that goal in a series of increments. Now list your things to do. Small tasks that make up your responsibilities and your priorities.

Take the Initiative is to be the first to take action in a particular situation. To do things without being told and to keep going when things get tough. You find out what you need to know and take advantage of opportunities that others pass by. You act, instead of reacting.

Be the Driving Force is to be the person that motivates and directs something or someone.

Initiate is to take the lead and set something in motion or cause a process or action to begin. To start an event or prepare the way for something. To bring something into being. Set the Ball Rolling. Introduce.

Set in Motion is to start something moving or working. To start or trigger a process or series of events.

Take the Lead is to take a position that is ahead of others. To go first. To accept responsibility for dealing with situation. To do something as an example. Spearhead is to lead a movement.

Pioneer is to open up an area or to explore a new area and prepare the way for others. Someone who helps to open up a new line of research, technology or art. To take the lead or the initiative in something or participate in the development of something important.

Show the Way is to indicate what can be done or should be done by doing it first. To do something first so that other people can follow. To set up or establish something. Point people in the right direction.

Blaze a Trail is to find a new path or method. To begin a new undertaking. To pave the way.

Usher In is to bring something into being, like a new discovery or a period of change. To mark or observe the beginning of something.

Lay the Groundwork is to create or prepare the basics or the essential foundation for something. Break New Ground. Constitute.

Mission Goals

Mission Statement is a short statement of why an organization exists, what its overall goal is, identifying the goal of its operations: what kind of product or service it provides, its primary customers or market, and its geographical region of operation. It may include a short statement of such fundamental matters as the organization's values or philosophies, a business's main competitive advantages, or a desired future state—the "vision". A mission is not simply a description of an organization by an external party, but an expression, made by its leaders, of their desires and intent for the organization. The purpose of a mission statement is to communicate the organization's purpose and direction to its employees, customers, vendors, and other stakeholders. A mission statement also creates a sense of identity for its employees. Organizations normally do not change their mission statements over time, since they define their continuous, ongoing purpose and focus. a commercial mission statement consists of three essential components: Key market: the target audience. Contribution: the product or service. Distinction: what makes the product unique or why the audience should buy it over another. Provides direction: Mission statements are a way to direct a business into the right path. They play a part in helping the business make better decisions which can be beneficial to them. Without the mission statement providing direction, businesses may struggle when it comes to making decisions and planning for the future. This is why providing direction could be considered one of the most advantageous points of a mission statement. Clear purpose: Having a clear purpose can remove any potential ambiguities that may surround the existence of a business. People who are interested in the progression of the business, such as stakeholders, will want to know that the business is making the right choices and progressing more towards achieving their goals, which will help to remove any doubt the stakeholders may have in the business. A mission statement can act as a motivational tool within an organization, and it can allow employees to all work towards one common goal that benefits both the organisation and themselves. This can help with factors such as employee satisfaction and productivity. It is important that employees feel a sense of purpose. Giving them this sense of purpose will allow them to focus more on their daily tasks and help them realise the goals of the organization and their role. Unrealistic: In most cases, mission statements turn out to be unrealistic and far too optimistic. An unrealistic mission statement can also affect the performance and morale of the employees within the workplace. This is because an unrealistic mission statement would reduce the likelihood of employees being able to meet this standard which could demotivate employees in the long term. Unrealistic mission statements also serve no purpose and can be considered a waste of management's time. Another issue which could arise from an unrealistic mission statement is that poor decisions could be made in an attempt to achieve this goal which has the potential to harm the business and be seen as a waste of both time and resources. Waste of time and resources: Mission statements require planning. This takes time and effort for those who are responsible for creating the mission statement. If the mission statement is not achieved, then the process of creating the mission statement could be seen as a waste of time for all of the people involved. A lot of thought and time can be spent in designing a good mission statement, and to have all of that time wasted is not what businesses can afford. The wasted time could have been spent on much more important tasks within the organization such as decision-making for the business. questions must be answered in the mission statement: “What do we do?” — The mission statement should clearly outline the main purpose of the organization, and what they do. “How do we do it?” — It should also mention how one plans on achieving the mission statement. "Whom do we do it for?” — The audience of the mission statement should be clearly stated within the mission statement. “What value are we bringing?” — The benefits and values of the mission statement should be clearly outlined. When designing a mission statement, it should be very clear to the audience what the purpose of it is. It is ideal for a business to be able to communicate their mission, goals and objectives to the reader without including any unnecessary information through the mission statement. Mutual Assistance Pacts.

Master Plans (development plans) - Financial Planning.

Milestone is a significant event in your life or a step that has been completed in a project that you're working on. Just like the milestone posts on the side of a road that shows distances, milestones in your life will allow you to see how far you have come and how much you have learned so far, and at the same time, show how far you still need to go and the things that you still need to know and understand. Life is a Journey on a road that has many dangers, twists and turns and amazing events. Always remember how far you have come and where you came from. Remember the journey that has bought you here to this very moment in time. Now you need to look ahead and know where you're going. If you don't have that goal or milestone, then you will never go anywhere or be anywhere, it will be like traveling on a vacation and never remembering anything valuable or important from the trip, as if you never went anywhere.

Vision Statement is a declaration of an organization's objectives, intended to guide its internal decision-making. A vision statement is not limited to business organizations and may also be used by non-profit or governmental entities.

High- Concept is a type of artistic work that can be easily pitched with a succinctly stated premise. It can be contrasted with low-concept, which is more concerned with character development and other subtleties that are not as easily summarized. The origin of the term is disputed. High-concept narratives are typically characterized by an overarching "what if?" scenario that acts as a catalyst for the following events.

Priority is things to do established in order of importance or urgency. The quality of being important and worthy of note. Preceding in time. Necessity. Essential: Absolutely necessary; vitally necessary. Basic and fundamental. Indispensable.

Responsibilities - Time Management - Project Management

Develop Process - Planning - Decision Making

What Not to Do List - Routines - Memory - Calendars

Training - Skill Developing

Elevator Pitch is a short description of an idea, product or company that explains the concept in a way such that any listener can understand it in a short period of time. This description typically explains who the thing is for, what it does, why it is needed, and how it will get done. Finally, when explaining an individual person, the description generally explains one's skills and goals, and why they would be a productive and beneficial person to have on a team or within a company or project. An elevator pitch does not have to include all of these components, but it usually does at least explain what the idea, product, company, or person is and their value.

Task Efficiency

Task is any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted. A specific piece of work required to be done as a duty or responsibility.

Task Efficiency is the ability to achieve organizational task with minimal resources.

Batch Process is to do all your similar tasks together.

Multitasking - Cooking - Working Together - Efficiency - Productive

Batch Processing is the execution of a series of jobs in a program on a computer without manual intervention (non-interactive). Strictly speaking, it is a processing mode: the execution of a series of programs each on a set or "batch" of inputs, rather than a single input (which would instead be a custom job). However, this distinction has largely been lost, and the series of steps in a batch process are often called a "job" or "batch job".

Batch Production is a technique used in manufacturing, in which the object in question is created stage by stage over a series of workstations, and different batches of products are made. Together with job production (one-off production) and mass production (flow production or continuous production) it is one of the three main production methods.

Batch File consists of a series of commands to be executed by the command-line interpreter, stored in a plain text file. A batch file may contain any command the interpreter accepts interactively and use constructs that enable conditional branching and looping within the batch file, such as "if", "for", "goto" and labels. The term "batch" is from batch processing, meaning "non-interactive execution", though a batch file may not process a batch of multiple data.

"Remember, you may not always reach your goal, but you can still make a difference."

Pass the Baton

"When you feel like quitting, just remember why you started." Memory.

“If you don’t start somewhere…then I assure you, you’re going nowhere.” (via Star)

"People who have a greater sense of purpose and direction in life are more likely to live longer."

"A goal may not always be reached, but having something to aim at could make all the difference."

A goal is like having a beacon of light that keeps your mind fixed on a target and keeps you moving towards a particular Purpose. If you’re not moving towards something then that means you’re standing still and not going anywhere, and if your not going anywhere, that means you’re lost. 

It's not "What am I going to do now?" It's "What can I do next?" 

It’s not just getting inspiration, it’s what you do when you get inspired. There’s a big difference between having inspiration and having a very well thought out plan. A plan that not only defines your responsibilities, your priorities and your abilities, but a plan that includes your increased awareness of the causes and effects that are created from your actions. There is a difference between doing something that you want to do and doing something that you feel the world needs you to do. Being an individual gives a human incredible freedoms, but it was never intended to isolate or disconnect a human from life itself.

Inspiration comes from knowing that you can make a difference.

Self-Efficacy is the extent or strength of one's belief in one's own ability to complete tasks and reach goals.

Determination is good to have. But when determination creates Tunnel Vision then it becomes a negative instead of a positive. It's like driving a car with no brakes. You can't stop to think when you need to. Confidence.

Success is having a positive influence on other people’s lives. Everything else is just details.

Failure - Mistakes

Work is work, right? Volunteering is considered work. So work is not just about the money, it’s more about the value of your actions. As far as I know we are the only human species in the universe. So it's just logical that I assure the survival of my species by avoiding negative actions that cause negative effects. 

Interpersonal intelligence - Baseline

What if you could do anything or be anyone without limitations? Who would you be? What would you do? Of course this is a silly question because it's not clear enough to answer correctly. Who would you be, under what conditions? What would you do, under what conditions? What information and knowledge do you have to explain your desired direction? Have you done any research? How much do you understand about your desired direction? What is your motivating now and where was it before?

Introvert

Having a dream or a fantasy is different from having goals, responsibilities or priorities. If you believe that you have restrictions, or you believe there are certain things that are holding you back, then what you need are problem solving skills and an expert to help guide you through the difficulties. The only real limitation is your mind. If you lack the necessary information and knowledge in order to achieve a goal or dream then it's up to you to acquire it. So there seems to be one more limitation, which is having access to necessary information and knowledge, which brings you back to problem solving."

Even though life will never be the way you planned it, it's always better if you have some sort of plan. Even if you're not totally sure what those plans mean, at least for now it gives you a chance to find out what you might have done wrong, or what you might have done right. Plans are a documentation of your intentions, something that you can learn from, something to apply to new plans. A plan is either a step forward, or a step backward, So what's your next step?

Even if your plans change, or even if your goals were not reached, it's still better to have plans and goals then to have no plans or goals at all. A plan is not a set course of action that cannot be changed or modified. A goal is not a commitment that cannot be changed or modified. It's just better to have a plan and a goal, one that says "this is what I know now, and at this time, this looks like the correct action to take, even knowing that things change, and even knowing that I will learn more things along the way that might change the plans and change my goals." This is not saying to stop being spontaneous, but If you don't have nothing to reach for, or nothing to look forward too, then what's the point of living? Make a goal, have a plan, and still be spontaneous. Life is an incredible journey, and sometimes it's a good idea to know where you are headed, even if the destination changes.

Apps for Goals - Managing Goals Apps

HabitRPG.com — A free habit building app that treats your life like a game.
Chains.cc— An online motivational tool based on the “don’t break the chain” method.
Lift.do— Reach your goals by tracking your progress and staying motivated with guidance.
Beeminder.com — Track quantifiable goals, and follow the Yellow Brick Road to stay motivated. Put up real money to keep yourself on course.
Wunderlist.com — Create lists and share them with friends.
StrikeApp.com — Set up tasks and knock down pins one at a time.
Fitocracy.com-  Reach your fitness goals and level up your life.
MapMyRun.com— Map out your run, log your food, and motivate your friends.
MyFitnessPal.com— Lose weight by keeping track of the food you eat.
CharityMiles.org— Earn money for charity when you walk, run, or bike.
ZombiesRunGame.com — Join other runners on an epic adventure that motivates you to run further and faster than ever before.