Three Goal Setting Exercises You Need in Your Life

When we were young, we all dreamed of doing great things in our lives. But a recent study showed that only 14 percent of people believe that their goals will lead to great achievements. It’s easy to get discouraged in goal setting and lack the confidence that you will end up where you want to be.

The good news, however, is that there are great exercises for goal setting that are extremely effective in overcoming obstacles and reaching your goals. By using these three exercises, your greatest dreams aren’t so far out of reach!

Exercise #1: WOOP

WOOP is a highly researched and proven way to set and reach goals, and it stands for (1) wish, (2) outcome, (3) obstacle, and (4) plan.

First, write down your wish or what you want to accomplish. Second, write down the outcome of that wish. What good things will happen if you reach your goal? Third, think of and write down any potential obstacles you can foresee. Fourth, write down specific steps you will take to overcome those obstacles when they arise. By planning for and preparing obstacles, you will be able to stick with your goal until you reach it.

Exercise #2: SMART Goals

You have probably heard the SMART acronym before. While it is referred to frequently when it comes to goal setting, that is because it is a long-standing and proven way to set effective goals. For this exercise, set goals you would like to achieve and then refine them as much as needed to ensure that they are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. By following these criteria, it will be easier to evaluate and stay motivated in achieving your goals.

Exercise #3: The Average Perfect Day

“The Average Perfect Day” is a simple activity that is sure to get you where you want to end up. Here’s how it goes: Start by imagining your ideal day and writing down everything that would happen. Picture when you would wake up, what you would eat for breakfast, what kind of exercise you would do. Think about what you would do at work and during your lunch break. Then consider your ideal evening—who you would spend your time with, what hobbies you would enjoy, and anything else you want to include in your day. Picture every detail and write it all down.

After that, think about what your average day currently looks like and write down the changes you need to make to have your ideal day. Then, gradually start implementing any necessary changes to reach your ideal.

Now that you have these effective exercises as tools, you don’t need to feel discouraged about progressing towards your goals. You can embrace your dreams of achieving greatness and have specific plans and steps for getting there.