Setting Big Goals vs Setting Realistic Goals

13 years ago

In my opinion it's OK to set em "Big" just make sure...

The Action Steps are Reasonable to get there!

In any case when you set "Big Goals" you should be reviewing and adjusting the action steps for achieving them on a very regular basis (like daily).

So while they may look "Big" on raw paper by breaking them down into small daily action steps they become Achievable, Reachable and Reasonable!

:p

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mikecsy

13 years ago

If you set a big goal the secret is to keep it in the background and focus your energy on the steps needed to complete the mission. For example, if you want to climb Mt. Everest keep that in the back of your mind, but concentrate on the steps needed to get you there such as getting the training, a guide, a sponsor and so on. This is where a coach can help you stay on track and not get overwhelmed by the enormity of the goal itself.
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theory expert

Banned 13 years ago

Well like anything in life you have to follow through..... know how to handle set backs, disappointments, and, any thing else. Bill Bartmann speaks of the story of when he made a goal to be on forbes 400 list in 5 years. It took 5.5 years.

Any ways, the only way to know if it works is to do what works for you.

Self experiment

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Joshua526 13 years ago

Setting big goals of course. Because it takes the same energy to set both realistic and big goals. And big goals are very inspiring, they really move you into action.
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cynthea 13 years ago

Originally Posted by janok

Bill Bartmann speaks of the story of when he made a goal to be on forbes 400 list in 5 years. It took 5.5 years.

Ooh Janok, that's a cool story!

Bob Proctor teaches that we should set goals "so big that it scares us."

That was a new idea to me.

I thought about it and I think what might happen there is that if that Big Goal is something that you have literally, a burning obsession for, that you will grow into who you need to be, to make that goal happen. I suspect that that's what Bill Bartmann may have done.

I'm going to research the BB story, because if feels like it would be quite inspirational.

As far as the realistic goals -- without sounding contradictory, I think after setting your BIG GOAL... the way to achieve it is to set a series of achievable, realistic goals. Or look at it this way, using the metaphor of the mountaintop.

let's say the mountaintop is your BIG GOAL. If the mountaintop is at 25,000 feet, and your standing at 5,000 feet, you'll need to have a plan to get to the top. You can visualize getting there, you can train your body to get there, you can pack the right supplies (water, food, emergency stuff), but what it will require to reach the top is a series of small, realistic, achievable goals. Basically: focus and putting one foot after the other.

Go after the BIG GOALS!! Like Proctor says, "A goal so B-I-G that it scares you!" Then just stay focused and keep putting one foot after the other.
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Clara H

13 years ago

Big goals! If I listened to the people who tell me to be 'realistic' and set 'realistic goals' I would not have achieved the things that I have. Instead I would be doing what makes me unhappy and being 'realistic'.

As long as other people in the world have been able to accomplish what I want to accomplish, that's realistic enough for me!

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sethczerepak 13 years ago

I've been focusing more lately on helping people design an ideal lifestyle first, then on developing the habits which will lead to that lifestyle. I think this is one of the most empowering decisions I've made as a coach, the approach is much more natural. I haven't used goal setting strategies since making this change.
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mhines

13 years ago

You said "big goals" and "realistic goals" are you saying big goals aren't realistic ? Because if that's the case you should just quit now because if you don't believe in yourself none of your dreams will come true. I think you should set HUMUNGOUS goals, why would you limit yourself when it costs nothing to dream. To answer your question I think you should set big goals but set small goes to reach your big goal. For example if you want to be a millionaire your goal should just to become a millionaire. You might want to set a goal of earning 5,000/month then 10,000/month etc. DREAM BIG !!!

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The Great Gordino

13 years ago

Originally Posted by The Niche Man

I found there's two schools of thinking when it comes to setting goals. The people who encourage you to set big goals and the people who encourage you to set realistic goals.

Which do you feel is the most effective and why?

I'm not sure this is quite the right comparison, between 'big' or 'realistic'.
You can have big goals which are realistic, and small goals which are totally unrealistic.

It's not the size of the goal, it *is* how realistic it is that's the key.
If it's possible, then you can set it as a goal.

It may not come to fruition, but that's life!
Essential to goal setting is working out the plan to get there, so as long as a general plan, combined with an exact first step can be worked out, go for it!

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Chris-

13 years ago

Originally Posted by The Niche Man

I found there's two schools of thinking when it comes to setting goals. The people who encourage you to set big goals and the people who encourage you to set realistic goals.

Which do you feel is the most effective and why?

As others are saying, get the best of both worlds.

You need to set goals which are exciting enough to motivate you, AND which you can imagine achieving. So, not too small, and not too big.

Then, once you've got that fairly-big goal, break it down into ACTIONS that will get you closer to it. An action is something you can commit fully to doing, which makes it so much better than a result, which you probably don't know how much work or time is involved in achieving.

Make sure you set your goals in terms of positives. Use EFT (emofree.com) to help you strengthen positives and remove negatives

)

Chris-

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SutejoTan

13 years ago

IMHO,
Big goals can be achieved by setting some realistic goals until we reach our big goals.

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SuResearcher 13 years ago

It's all subjective isn't it? My big realistic goal could be your big unrealistic goal. My small realistic goal could be your small unrealistic goal.

I have found that the most important thing is to get into the habit of setting goals and a plan to achieving them. Some people need to see instant results to keep working on their ultimate goal. Such folks should set smaller incremental goals. Some are very good at keeping the end in sight and have the discipline to wait. Such folks do very well with big goals.
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theory expert

Banned 13 years ago

Your suspicion is correct. He said when he made the 400 list it didn't surprise him because by that time he already saw himself there.

It sort of reminded me of what napoleon hill done when created his "invisible counselors".

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happyme

13 years ago

This might sound a bit weird but try and understand. Setting big goals is confidence, setting real goals is overconfidence.
Example:
Big goals: I will beat bill gates one day! (confidence showing the will to strive)
Realistic goals: In a week, I will have beaten Bill Gates. (Assurity, marks over condifence.)
Over confidence is never good in life! NEVER!!!!

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JingQuimPo

13 years ago

"Great business is good; to sit and sip this glass is better."

Instead of setting Big Goals or small goals, why not set up a number of goals regardless of big or small, goals that are for long term, short term. Like 5 goals for instance (i'm picking a random number here) Then after sometime, if 2 goals have been met, add 2 new ones and so on. As long as your on the move. because Big and Small goals are just opposites of the same coin.

Jing Quimpo

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BBryanB

13 years ago

Big goals are wasted unless you are prepared to time activate the steps to ensure you have a valid chance to succeed at them.

Unless you can prove to yourself that you have the time, energy and resources to accomplish your goals, ie Time activate them, then it does not matter how big or small they are, you are just kidding yourself, again.

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lootbags2010

13 years ago

Big and Realistic are relative terms whereas what might be a big goal for me might be realistic for you and vice versa.

Since we all like to quote great motivational lines I'll go with this line from Les Brown.

Most people fail not because they set goals that are too big and miss, but because they set goals that are too small and hit.

I believe it is not the size of the goal but the planning to achieve that goal. If I set a goal to make 100 k in Internet Marketing in a year, I will be more likely to succeed if a plan to have milestones at 5,000, 10000, 20,000 at set periods than I would to go from 0- 100,000. It's not the size of the goals that make them too big or realistic but the plans to achieve those goals.

If it isn't obvious I would prefer to set big goals since I will have to actually work harder to achieve them. If I fall short, at least there can be something to learn from.

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webmarketer8

13 years ago

I think most of what the people said was true, *Set those big goals but try to take the baby steps to make it happen. The person who talked about Mt. Everest said it best!

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OmarNegron

13 years ago

"Most people fail not because they set goals that are too big and miss, but because they set goals that are too small and hit."

I couldn't agree more my man. I believe Les brown said that, and when I heard it, it was golden.

Reach for the stars!

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MelJames

13 years ago

i think setting both goals are important. Setting a Big Goal can be a real source of motivation but in order to achieve that, you must first set realistic goals and focus your efforts on the reachable, before you can reach what initially seems to be unreachable.

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JustinDupre

13 years ago

I personally believe that both realistic goals and big goals are important. We need realistic goals for every day work and big goal for bigger picture in life.

I like this too

"Most people fail not because they set goals that are too big and miss, but because they set goals that are too small and hit."

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lachh

13 years ago

Originally Posted by JustinDupre

I personally believe that both realistic goals and big goals are important. We need realistic goals for every day work and big goal for bigger picture in life.

I like this too

"Most people fail not because they set goals that are too big and miss, but because they set goals that are too small and hit."

I liked that last quote, it got me thinking. Thanks

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Tuffy22

13 years ago

The end goal is big, but I always set several milestone goals along the way. That helps me stay focused and motivated, and on the right path. The closer I get to the big goal, the less daunting it appears.

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Amrutg

13 years ago

a big dreams or goals form the basis for big achievement in life.....one should plan for big goal but it must be realistic..... and to turn a big dream in reality we should take reasonable effort towards it .

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rsseosolution

Banned 13 years ago

[DELETED]

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watty12 13 years ago

If you don't set big goals, you're not going to achieve anything anyway. But, having said that, if your goals are SO big and just pie in the sky, then, after a certain amount of time, when you haven't reached them, you just become disallusioned. So you need to set big goals as your ultimate focus, but inbetween, set smaller more realistic goals in order to achieve your big goal.

It's all been said in the posts, but you need to reward yourself after achieving your smaller goals in order for your subconscious to realise that thye are achievable.

Hope this isn't too garbled, so in summary, yes, set big goals, but you must also set intermediate, and short term goals IN ORDER TO REACH the big goals. They all combine together as one package. Break them downinto easily achievable goals.
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