Setting the Goal Post: How to Achieve Planned Excellence

One of the major highlights in a football or soccer game is when a player successfully hits the net. It is also a measure of excellence in the game; teams that do not score gradually move down the table while teams that do due diligence move higher, and in the and become table leaders. We celebrate highest goal scorers and call them G.O.A.T (Greatest of all Time). Personalizing team success and achievements of our favorite players is a common site in game centers. We beat our chest when players signed by our favourite teams do well; and call it a flop (bad buy) when they fail to deliver.

We argue who the world best footballer is; even when another player wins the coveted Ballon d’Or. In almost every football commentary, they hail the outstanding works of Messi and Ronaldo; this two have won the Ballon d’Or a total number of 11 times.

The goal post is the standard of excellence; it is the direction of which work is deemed satisfactory. It is a destination. These attributions are similar with determining our achievements in life.

Life is like a field of play, and to excel,

“You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else.”

― Albert Einstein

Therefore, it is crucial to set your goalpost.

Just like we’ve established, setting a goal is equal to having a goalpost in football; because in football the goal is to score as many goals as possible to win points. Goals are important drivers of success; goals are the secrete to getting from where you are to where you want to be.

In his 1968 article “Toward a Theory of Task Motivation”, Locke showed us that clear goals and appropriate feedback served as a good motivator.

Dr. Gary Latham also studied the effects of goal setting in the workplace. Latham’s results supported Locke’s findings and showed there is indeed a link that is inseparable between goal setting and performance.

Setting goals not only motivates us, but can also improve our mental health and our level of personal and professional success. Locke and Latham established that setting goals helps trigger new behaviors, helps guides your focus and helps you sustain that momentum in life. 

To set your post for success you have to;

Stick with your goal

It is crucial to maintain any project until it is complete in order to really achieve excellence. Giving up halfway through will quickly decrease your self-esteem. If you don’t know which direction to take, spell out exactly what steps need to be taken to complete your goal and brainstorm all the possibilities you can think of to move you through these steps.

Make yourself liable to someone else on the off chance that you lose your inspiration before the venture is done. Make the strides that you have made and record what is needed. Tell the other person exactly what you should do and the date and time you should finish it. Be available to this person to be reliable to represent every step you are going to take.

Maintain a Constructive focus

Maintaining a constructive focus on your goal keeps you applying your efforts in a positive direction. If you get frustrated because your goal isn’t turning out as you first imagined, don’t let yourself fall into the trap of being a victim.

For this and much more Information relating to employability skills, employment opportunities, career advancement and entrepreneurship development; Join our Telegram and WhatsApp groups, and also follow us on Twitter and Facebook.