This is a goal writing template I developed while doing a challenge I set for myself of writing out my goals every day for 30 days. The idea behind this was to drive these goals deep into my thoughts; but it is not necessary to go to these lengths to get value from this formula.
So here it is. Keep in mind that it may take a moment to grasp and to visualise the structure of this formula, but that’s ok. I will explain more below.
I will __(1. Essence of my desire) __ by __(2. What I will give to attain it)__.
I will ___(3. First specific step)___ by _(X amount of time)_ , and ___(Second specific step)___ by _(Y amount of time).
Here’s what this all means.
1. The “Essence of your desire” is the heart of why you want to reach this new goal. It is what you will get from it.
For example, let’s take the person who wants to make herself wealthy. The “essence of her desire” may be to create financial freedom from a lifestyle of scarcity, or it might be so she can afford to travel the world with her friends, or it might be so she can afford that nice house by the beach.
Maybe your goal isn’t necessarily to “attain” something; maybe it is to have the opportunity to contribute to people on a large scale. The same principle still applies.
The essence of your desire is the personal reason behind it all. If you want to reach it, ask yourself “…and why do I want that?”
2. There is no such thing as a free lunch in this world; something must be given in exchange for any achievement. What is it that you will do to attain your “riches”?
3. In this part, the goal is broken down into several smaller steps; each having a specific time frame attached. This is where we get into DETAIL. Anything written in a part 3 space must be detailed and measurable. It must also have a date that the smaller step will be reached by.
“I will get good at running in a year or so” is NOT specific. “I will run in a marathon by 2nd August 2010” IS specific.
This last step is the one that is most likely to evolve as time goes by. As you start to see a clearer image of your outcome, you will have a better understanding of the steps you will need to reach it, and can use this wisdom to make adjustments.
Remember, a goal isn’t something you write out once and then leave in the bottom of your drawer; it’s a living thing.
