Goals: When to Adapt and Change Your Goals.

Have you ever felt like you were doing all the right things, but not getting anywhere? If you truly are putting in the effort to set your goals as we've been discussing thus far, it may be a matter of choosing goals that just aren't right for you. This may lead us to consider changing your goals.

The situation has changed.

Let's say your goal is to sell 1000 copies of a new information product called, "Tips and Tricks for Microsoft Office 2010". The day after you start writing, Microsoft releases a new version MSOffice 2012. Suddenly, the scenario has changed. Users aren't looking for tips for MSOffice 2007 anymore. Customers are in line purchasing the 2012 version. Your market just evaporated overnight. You could write and release the best book under the sun and no one would buy it because it's obsolete.

If the business environment has changed, then your goals may have to change, too.

Your priorities have changed.

Maybe you're making great progress towards your goals, but you suddenly realize what you thought was really important, such as losing weight, is less important than helping your child improve his math skills, or spending more hours to get your new business off the ground.

If your priorities have changed, it's time to reassess your goals.

Your higher-level objective has changed.

You thought you wanted to make more money so you could save for retirement, but your son just got invited to attend an elite soccer clinic this summer, with an elite price tag. Suddenly, you need that extra cash NOW.

You may have to adjust your goals to coordinate with new objectives.

Your goal wasn't the right one to begin with.

As we discussed previously, you can make great progress towards your goal if you follow the right strategies... but towards the wrong goal! When setting goals, ensure that the higher-level objective and the goal itself fit with your desires, ethics, and personal style.

If your goal is a mismatch you may have to revisit the goal setting process previously outlined and be certain the goal is right for you.

Your resources have changed.

When we select a goal and how we'll get there, we make certain assumptions. We typically assume we'll have a certain amount of time, energy, and money to dedicate to completing of the goal. If you are working to expand into a new market, and you suddenly get word that your main product or service faces challenges from a competitor's marketing efforts, you may have to take resources from the new goal to shore up the marketing for your main product line. You will need to adjust your new marketing goal in order to reallocate resources to your main business.

If your anticipated resources must be redirected or become depleted, you may have to change your goal as well.

Under all these circumstances, you may need to take another look at your goals to make sure they still fit your overall objectives, resources, and priorities. But most of the time, when you plan carefully for your new goal, you'll be able to carry on toward completion. Next we'll look at some surefire methods for achieving those goals.