day 2: what is a goal?



This blog post was written by lululemon and posted on September 3, 2010 at 4:44 am

why goal set?

There is a way to write your goals so they are powerful and meaningful. Goals set an intention and are not a one-time deal but an exercise for living every day.

Goal setting:

  • provides focus
  • creates your life
  • helps you discover your personal path
  • teaches you where you are taking personal responsibility

what is a goal?

A goal is a written statement with a deadline (or "by when", as we call them here at lululemon). A goal inspires you to do the work. Your goals should excite and even scare you.

A goal is not a 'to do' list or an idea, what your family/boyfriend/girlfriend/etc. wants for you, or what society states is for you.

Goals are to create what does not already exist.

Goals are based on a long-term plan that has no constraints. Anything is possible. Whatever you need to achieve your long-term goal (skills, funding, experience, etc.) you can gain with time.

language

Your words create your world and you become what you think about most of the time. Remove the following words from your language and you will reach your goals: try, hopefully, wish, might, maybe.

how to get started

Start from where you are. Reaching goals is hard work, so get ready to dig in and discipline yourself. Accept total responsibility for everything that happens. Ask for feedback along the way.

questions

Here are some questions to help you start thinking about your ideal life:

• What are you willing to give your life to?
• What are you willing to commit to everyday?
• What causes you to be inspired everyday?
• If a wish could be granted, what would you wish?
• What kind of difference do you want to make in the world?

your vision

• State your ideal life
• Be descriptive
• Choose a moment in time and explain everything that is going on around you
• Get beyond your life. What is the state of the world?

writing exercises

- Write your obituary. Imagine your eventual demise. It has an amazing impact on how you live in the moment.
- Write your retirement speech. What would you say? What would your oldest colleague say? What would your mentor say?

vision board

Collage your ideal life and hang it somewhere you will see it often. Watch it all come into being.

related reading

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5 Comments »


Great Post. Goal setting must start with a vision. I find many people are challenged to come up with a vision for themselves. If you don’t know where you’re going, it’s pretty hard to get there. Your suggested writing exercises can certainly help. I also recommend looking at the various dimensions of your life, one at a time: friends, family, career, money, etc. I find it easier to create a future vision when one looks at each life dimension than trying to envision the whole big picture. I also like to work with one-year goals. Have some longer term goals, yes, but break them down into one-year goals.

Comment by Valerie Taloni (The Goal Diva) — September 3, 2010 @ 6:49 am


Simply amazing post!! I needed this to refocus going in to a long weekend. I’m now starting my own “goal a week” program. Thanks for the inspiration!!

Enjoy the day <3
Lindsay

Comment by Lindsay — September 3, 2010 @ 9:22 am


I love the idea of a “personal collage”, I think we all need constant reminders of the things that matter most to us. I would say when thinking of setting goals, don’t just think of those goals which “define” success or accomplishment, such as athletic events. Think of the little things that make you feel alive. It could be as simple as lacing up your shoes and heading out for a run as the sun rises. As a mother of two with a full time career, I have to set goals that revolve around finding a balance in my life and making sure I carve time out for myself.

Comment by Lil — September 3, 2010 @ 10:50 pm


Thank you for these “Goal Setting” blogs! I truly enjoy them and they’re all so inspirational. Question: should you include (in your goals) your significant other? For instance, in 10 years I envision us to be married with two children living in Vancouver.

Comment by Josenni — August 1, 2011 @ 7:32 am


Hi Josenni! If your significant other is part of your goals and your vision of your future, then definitely include them! Phrase your goal as if it has already happened to make it stronger: “In 10 years, we are married with two children living in Vancouver”.

~ Laura, GEC Online

Comment by lululemon athletica GEC — August 2, 2011 @ 1:46 pm


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