Communication Goals: Goal Setting & Habit Tracking – Part 1
“Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.” – Tony Robbins
This quote by Tony Robbins is so true!! We can’t expect to achieve something if we haven’t clearly defined what it is we want to achieve. However there is a true art form to setting goals and following through with them to allow you to actually accomplish your dream. And it’s not as hard as you may think.
How many of us have set a New Years Resolution and never actually followed through with it?
Or have a dream that you will do something “some day”. When you initially thought of it, I’m sure you meant it. And at the start you were probably really motivated to do whatever you could to accomplish it. But then as the weeks went on, and life got busy your goal was pushed aside to make room for other things. I’m thinking gym memberships that were never used to their full duration, golf equipment that never saw a golf green in winter or that overseas holiday that’s always just out of reach.
So that begs the question – How do you make communication goals, stick to them, AND achieve them?
Well my friends, it all comes down to goal setting and habit tracking.
Today we are going to share with you some hints and tips to ensuring your goals are in tip top condition. Stay tuned for our post on habit tracking coming to you in the next couple of weeks. Sign up to our newsletter to be one of the first to hear about it when it drops.
So let’s kick things off with the tried and tested method of goal setting that you may or may not have heard of before. SMART goals.
Smart goals provide structure.
They help you break your goal into smaller steps.
This makes goals happen.
You’ve got to be able to identify if you need more assistance prior to starting the goal.
You should be asking the hard questions like ~
Does this communication goal fit my lifestyle and capacities at the present moment?
There’s nothing more demotivating than starting a goal only to realise half way though that you don’t have the necessary equipment to achieve it. Or, that the goal you have set is beyond your reach. Identifying these things before hand allows you to be more prepared and hit fewer roadblocks along the way.
They help you see progression (or lack of) and assist in keeping you accountable for achievements. It also allows you the opportunity to give yourself a pat on the back when you realise all the progress you have made.
Let’s break down what SMART means in a handy little acronym.
S – Specific
M – Measurable
A – Achievable
R – Realistic
T – Timely
When writing your goals all 5 of these factors should be included for maximum success.
#1 SPECIFIC: Break it down
This needs to be short, sharp and to the point! What do you want to do, how are you going to do it, and why bother doing it?
Example: I will produce the /z/ sound at the end of words in short phrases by practicing for 20 minutes a day this week so I can correctly produce plurals
#2 MEASURABLE: Do the details
How are you going to measure your outcomes to ensure progress? Are you aiming for a percentage of correct productions or for example a feeling of understanding and achievement?
Example: I will achieve 80% accuracy of perfectly fluent speech during my practice times to keep stuttering at bay.
#3 ACHIEVABLE: Can you shoot that target?
No-one likes to work towards something that is unattainable. It’s demotivating and exhausting. When writing your goal make sure that you have the capacity to achieve it. Is your goal too large? Break it into smaller more manageable goals. Do you need extra assistance from your clinician to achieve your goal or do you have all the resources required at your disposal?
Example: I will use the resources provided to me in sessions and ensure I do not choose too large a goal that I am not ready for e.g. using “th” at a conversation level in all positions or words and sentences when I can’t even say the sound on its own.
#4 REALISTIC: Keep it real
This is your Goldilocks moment.
How are you going to ensure that the goal is not too easy, not too hard, but just right? This component also looks at your big picture and long term goal of achievement
Example: I’m not fluent at 120 BPM yet but can easily achieve fluency at 80BPM so I will strengthen by ability to be fluent at 100BPM first to eventually be fluent when speaking in conversations with others.
#5 TIMELY: Draw a line in the sand
When is your start and finish date? Set it in your diary so you can celebrate all the achievements you have made or workshop how you will get then next time.
Example: I will practice this goal for the next 2 weeks.
Got it? Good! Here’s an example of a full SMART goal for you to digest –
I will produce past tense /d/ at a sentence level through 30 minute of daily practice with the resources provided to me. I will achieve 80% accuracy in these sessions by August 14th to ensure that I am able to use the correct form of past tense and work my way towards using it consistently at a conversation level with less required concentration.
Simple right? Don’t stress, we get if it may seem a little daunting to begin with but with practice smart goal writing can become pretty simple. To help, we have created a FREE SMART goal template for you to use to turn your regular goals into SMART goals.
Now you have your goal written to a tee. But how are you going to stick to them?
By making them a habit, that how! Stay tuned for our next blog post on making habits you can stick to in which we will share a kick butt habit tracker for staying accountable to your goals!
Download Your Own Free SMART Goal Planner & Start Checking off your Communication Goals
Wanting More?
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What? Communication takes practise? At Voice Science™ we believe COMMUNICATION is the FOUNDATION of EVERYTHING. It’s kinda like STRING THEORY! ha! Did you know you can practise communication behaviours to give yourself competitive advantage at work, socially and in day to day life?
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We are at day 2 in our countdown to August 17th and have decided it is time for you to learn somethinkkkk about goal setting your buns off to becoming the best communicator you can be.