In the model for self motivation, the vision is that special change we want to make in our lives. Once we figure out what it is, the next thing we need to do is break it down into its component parts. The component parts of our vision are our goals. And just as we needed to write down our vision, we need also to write down our goals.

The end result is a list of goals that, once we accomplish the goals, we will have made our vision come true. And so it’s very important to spend some time getting all our goals written down.

But we want to make sure that not only have we identified all our goals, we also want to make sure that those goals are motivating. Many of our goals will require hard work, so it will be much easier for us to accomplish goals that are motivational.

What’s a motivational goal?

A motivational goal is:

1.  Specific and Measurable: Goals should be specific; they should establish ”who, what, where, when, which, why”.  Each goal should be clearly stated, and easily understood.  If a goal is vague, it won’t motivate; if not measurable, you won’t know when you have achieved it.  Try to establish concrete criteria for measuring progress toward your goal.  With measurable goals, you can evaluate your progress.

2.  Attainable and Realistic: Though a goal may be challenging, it must also be realistic.  If you don’t believe you can achieve a goal, you won’t be motivated to try.  An easy goal is perfectly appropriate, so long as it moves you toward manifesting your vision.  Each goal you attain increases your feeling of competence, which increases your motivation.

3.  Related to your vision:  Each goal It must be personal to you, it must move you toward your vision.  Every one of your goals must absolutely (not probably) bring you further on the path toward your vision; if they do, they are motivating.  Each goal must have a purpose. A related goal helps you sustain the day to day tasks that you must do to make your vision come true; they provide the necessary discipline.  Amotivation, a term coined by Dr. Edward Deci in The Psychology of Self-Determination, is what occurs to those who fail to see the purpose in what they are doing.

4.  Prioritized: You must prioritize your goals.  Doing this focuses your energy.  You can be working on a couple of goals at the same time, but too many goals at the same time can cause you to become unfocused and distracted.

We must accomplish our goals if we want to make our dreams come true.  And if we aren’t motivated to do the work that accomplishing our goals requires, we won’t accomplish our goals, and our dreams won’t come true.

But there’s no need for this to happen.

Make your goals motivating and you will accomplish them, and you will make your dreams come true.

We all have things we want to accomplish. They may be simple, like losing some weight or doing our taxes. They may be complex, like getting physically fit, or starting a new career. Whatever they are, if you want to succeed it making them come true, you have to make sure your goals are motivating.

Here are the characteristics of a motivational goal:

1.  They Are Specific And Measurable: Goals should be specific; they should establish ”who, what, where, when, which, why”.  Each goal should be clearly stated, and easily understood.  If a goal is vague, it won’t motivate; if not measurable, you won’t know when you have achieved it.  Try to establish concrete criteria for measuring progress toward your goal.  With measurable goals, you can evaluate your progress.

2.  They Are Attainable And Realistic: Though a goal may be challenging, it must also be realistic.  If you don’t believe you can achieve a goal, you won’t be motivated to try.  An easy goal is perfectly appropriate, so long as it is valuable to you.  Each goal you attain increases your feeling of competence, which increases your motivation.

3.  They Must Have A Purpose:  Each goal must have a purpose that is valuable to you. A purposeful goal helps you sustain the day to day tasks that you must do to achieve the goal; they provide the necessary discipline.  Amotivation is what occurs in those who fail to see the purpose in what they are doing.

4.  They Are Prioritized: You must prioritize your goals.  Doing this focuses your energy.  You can be working on a couple of goals at the same time, but too many goals at the same time can cause you to become unfocused and distracted.

If your goals aren’t motivating, it is unlikely you will achieve them. But even if they don’t seem motivating, don’t give up on them. Instead, see if you can’t make them motivating. Sometimes it’s as simple as rephrasing them, expressing them in different words. Sometimes it’s a little more complicated, and will require some serious thought.

Whatever it takes, the time and energy you spend making sure your goals are motivating are well worth the effort.