New Powerful Goal Setting Process
SAFE uses the power of the law of attraction to achieve goals
A new and powerful process for goal setting and achievement, SAFE, may help you achieve dramatic performance results, far beyond that of traditional goal setting methods.
Traditional Goal Setting: SMART
Most organizations require employees to set goals. Setting goals can be an effective and energizing experience if well done. Your organization probably uses a process that is a variation of SMART. If your goals setting activities aren't motivating and don't help you wow your boss with your accomplishments, then try this new method, SAFE , for a fresh approach to great accomplishments.
SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time oriented. The Measurable and Time oriented components of SMART are what managers like; these give them the ability to track your performance and measure your progress. Setting specific and measurable targets does serve to motivate, but often in a negative way. A deadline is a have-to with an implied penalty for failing. We often subconsciously resist have-to's.
Goals Setting With SAFE
SAFE combines the best aspects of SMART with the power of the Law of Attraction. SAFE stands for:
- See your goal,
- Accept it,
- Feel it with emotion, and
- Express it.
Using SMART is akin to rowing a boat upriver against the current. SMART implies identifying obstacles and overcoming them while holding yourself to a schedule. SAFE on the other hand is more like rowing your boat with the current. You do some steering and gentle course adjustment, but the river is providing most of your movement.
The SAFE Method of Goal Setting
To experience SAFE for yourself, pick a goal you and your boss have recently agreed to, complete with target dates and measurables. This should be a goal about which you have some skepticism or reluctance. To use SAFE, begin by visualizing the goal achieved, fully Accepting that you can achieve it and Seeing the results in your imagination. Play a mental movie of what will occur when the goal is achieved and Feel the emotions you will experience. Spend a few moments in your visualization, enjoying the fruits of your achievement. Fully Express the goal as achieved by seeing yourself talking about it, making presentations about it, and reading about it in the business section of your local paper.
A SAFE Example
As an example, let's assume your boss gave you the goal to complete project ABC by a certain target date, under budget, and with above-average quality. Using SMART, you probably have a series of measurable action items with target dates and associated costs. For now, ignore all of that detail.
Focus on Seeing the project completed. Take a few moments to meditate while setting your intention to allow this project to be highly successful, while meeting and exceeding all normal standards. In your mind, play a video of the future when your project is completed. See the project celebration. See the media's positive reaction and customer's rave reviews. Feel the emotions of pride and satisfaction of this great project. See upper managers congratulating you for your success, a great project finished ahead of schedule with outstanding quality!
Play this mental video over and over, once or twice a day for a few days. Concentrate on remaining open and Accepting to this great success. Be aware of nudges and intuition that suggests actions you can take in support of the project. These are the components of success the Law of Attraction is bringing you.
If Doubts Interfere
Your greatest obstacle may be your own doubts and fears. If you have difficulty Seeing and Feeling your goal achieved you're probably harboring fears of success. Author Marriane Williamson wrote:
"Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate, but that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us."
Fully Accept success in your challenging goal by intentionally granting yourself the right to succeed. You do deserve success. You are allowed to succeed. You are powerful beyond measure.
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