How to Set Goals – 5 Simple Tips to Achieve Results (Video)

Have you wondered how to set goals?

Do you already set life and career goals? Do they work for you? Do you start and then lose momentum?

Have you found a more effective way of progressing and enjoying life that works better for you?

Do you feel that setting goals is a complete waste of time?

All the above is common and can be true.The secret is simply to see what works for you and that may change depending on you, your stage in life, your outlook and your circumstances.

Here’s my short 5 minute video followed by a few additional tips…

Being a coach, ‘goal-setting’ is one of the main things that people come to me for – be it personal, professional or business related.

It’s an interesting area and many people I meet feel frustrated that they either don’t have goals, can’t reach them or don’t have the motivation to stay focused. Others just feel that setting goals is a complete waste of time.

Like all things, goals work for some people in some circumstances and not so well in others.

My personal and professional view is that goals are a good thing to have but should not be held too close to you…

Remember, you will change, your environment will change, your priorities will change and so may your aspirations. Here are my 5 tips to make your goals meaningful and achievable…

Meaningful – they need to be important to you or you won’t stick with them
Motivating – what are your motives? What ‘moves’ you, what are you passionate about?
Measurable / measured – be clear + specific: what, why, where, when, how much? Plus how will you measure your success and is the goal achievable/ and aptly challenging?
Map – have a vision and map steps that you need to take / break your goal into manageable chunks
Milestones – check in, review, tweak, re-focus and celebrate at key stages along the way.

These will all help you but as with so much in life, maps and goals are not the world. Things will change so your instincts are also key in this, trust them.

Personally, I sometimes have goals and I sometimes set them aside. It’s important to remember that while reaching goals may bring some pleasure and a sense of achievement they cannot bring you lasting happiness. That is a gift that you give yourself by appreciating you, life, your journey and all the ups and downs of the journey.

Interestingly, when I coach people I am not concerned merely about their goals. I coach them to accept and appreciate who they are and their life because that is the constant, the contents and targets we have in life will change.

Rasheed Ogunlaru is an acclaimed life, business and corporate coach whose simple ‘become who you are’ approach has helped countless business owners connect with themselves, their businesses and their customers. His background spans over 20 years in coaching, training, media, PR and performance. Rasheed is the business coach partner to the British Library’s Business and IP Centre and business coach mentor to TiE UK. He is a highly sought-after public speaker and regularly appears in the media, including the BBC, The Times and the Guardian.

He is the author of ‘The Gift of Inner Success’ and ‘Soul Trader – Putting the heart back into your business.’ Kogan or Amazon

For information about coaching, motivational talks, or to order one of his inspiring books, CDs and MP3s visit his website or email him

Twitter – @RasheedOgunlaru

or call 020 7207 1082