Don't know to Start? Goal Setting...

Don't know to Start? Goal Setting...

This weekend has seen the extraordinary efforts of completing 2 short notice resumes and two applications, whilst on top of two teeth extractions yesterday, all I can say is kids don't drink fizzy drinks! 

On a much lighter note it was my mother's 60th birthday! God bless her she has been a godsend throughout my daily life helping me with the impacts of the spinal injury, not only is she my hero but my best friend, I don't think many would stick around and be able to survive of watching a loved one degenerate through endless nights screaming in pain and agony. I really do appreciate everything! So to Mum, thank you for everything you have done, I honestly don't know what I would have done without you.  

Unfortunately of late my hammer toes, an effect from the workplace injury, which to this day I have not been able to obtain assistance from the government which I am rightful entailed too, the saddest thing I believe was I was working for a Disability Employment Service and they were unable to provide me with a safe working environment, and honestly if they are unable to provide a safe environment who can? I really do fear for other employees and concerned that there is a underground management throughout many workplace where WHS is seen as a common joke and people's lives are being put at risk, then worst still when you try to raise the flag you are perceived as causing trouble. I also believe that investigation should be completed with the knowledge of all party involved having a unmediated bipolar employee who can lie about the dead of a child should not be considered a credible informant to this day I still do not know what was said but my manager informed me it wasn't good. So there I was left injured hung out to dry. My anxiety from 16years return and ended me up in emergency thinking I was having a heart attack, the pain and injury from turning to get the phone which was on the desk directly behind my chair, has resulted in spinal cord damage affecting my legs, feet and toes dramatically. In addition to my limited schooling and more hands on experience this resulted in poor writing and grammar skills, give me a skilled motivated person and a resume and I will have talked you into a position in next to no time, or give me an online application and you will have an interview before you know it. Give me a article or novel to write and expect dilemmas. Growing up on a 6,500 acre farm there was limited time for bed time stories, then living in the concrete jungle and characterized as Attention Deficient Hyperactivity Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder these were just some of the barriers I had to overcome in order to make it where I am today.

Overall, I mention this in light of the situation, things must go on and situations like these are sent to test us, develop new skillsets and learn a new way of life. I am grateful to be able to walk around the house and have a degree of use, I am also grateful for having an overactive brain which provides me motivation to overcome barrier and obstacles. Having encountered many barriers and obstacles in life, I am determined as ever to overcome and thrive to achieve my new goals. 

Goals are a big part of achieving success one particular Harvard University study discovered setting goals increases performance by 19% and reflects on the research of a gathered number of students it was found that only 3% set goals, 10 years later those same 3% were earning 10 times more than their peers.

How does this work? Quite logically really, your cognitive intellect redirects itself towards what you focus on, the same principle as the Law of Attraction.

Let's take the way you think during a basketball game, if you are focused on the basketball thinking it's coming to me, maintain visual contact with the ball, eventually when the time is right it comes to you and you're prepared then you go on dribble it down the court and take home the winning goal! Now consider you are not focused on the basketball, you are reading a message on your phone when all of a sudden BAM! Basketball to the head, its come and it's gone. Quite simply if you get your goal in view and ensure you make the right move to obtain or line yourself up with the opportunity to receive the goal chances are you will receive it. 

When setting your goals you need to be sure you are realistic and rational, there are a few methods of determining an effective goal such as S.M.A.R.T, P.R.E.P, C.R.E.A.T.E goal setting. The most common being the S.M.A.R.T Goal Formula which comprises of the following. 

The following is an example of a goal using the SMART method:

"I would like to increase my mark in Math class from a 58% to a 70%.  I know that I can do this because I will do my homework everyday and study for my tests.  If I need help, I will ask the teacher.  An increase in 12% is realistic because I know that it is within reach for me.  I am hoping to have a mark of 70% at the end of the math course."

In hindsight, my past has prepared me for the future, equipped me with the skills and abilities to recognize, acknowledge and implement effective and efficient strategies which have been scientifically researched and recommended. A large proportion of this was dedicated to cognitive behaviour, learning to think effectively basically. As a child we are exposed to many diverse situations, circumstances through our environment which ultimately shapes the way we think in a large degree, while there are also biological factors which may also impact our structured way of thinking the majority of our cognitive behaviour is developed by those around us. By increasing our knowledge in cognitive behaviour we become aware and start to question our thought patterns and implement more effective methods of thinking which leads to building resilience, increasing your confidence, and boost your brain's neurological structure producing serotonin, dopamine and non adrenaline, this also happens when you achieve your goals. 

Another important aspect to goal setting conduct is writing your goals down on paper, this has been scientifically proven to increasing your ability to achieve your goal. The Harvard study was acknowledged by Forbes who issued publications on the outcome which can be explored here, http://elitedaily.com/money/writing-down-your-goals/1068863/. 

So no matter where you are at in life in this point of time, take a moment to sit down with a pen and paper and write out your short and long term goals using a goal setting template. I will continue with a series of blogs assisting with insight into establishing an effective mindset to achieving success.