The What

Once you have identified your goal, it’s crucial to outline these three aspects to ensure you remain committed to achieving it. Understanding the purpose, the methodology, and the timeline of your goal will deepen your connection to it, thereby enhancing your chances of success. The more you invest your time and energy into developing a clear strategy, the more likely you are to achieve it.

The Why

Every meaningful goal must have a clear purpose. Without a defined purpose, a goal lacks significance. Ask yourself: Why am I striving to reach this specific goal? In what ways will achieving it benefit both me and those around me? Remember, a goal should ideally serve both your personal growth and positively impact others.

The How

After clarifying your purpose, the next step is to determine how you will achieve your goal:

• What actions will you take to reach your goal?
• What processes will you implement?
• How frequently will you engage in these activities?
• Is this approach the most effective, or could another strategy yield better results?

The methodology behind accomplishing your goals is crucial and often underestimated. While establishing a goal requires minimal effort, figuring out the pathway to success demands more thought and planning. Take the necessary time to outline the steps that will guide you from your starting point to your desired outcome.

The When

Once you have clarified your why and how, it’s time to consider when you will begin your journey. The best time to start is always now.

According to James Clear, initiating a new activity, goal, or habit is often easier at the beginning of a cycle—be it a month, week, or year—due to heightened motivation and optimism.

When will you kick off your journey?

Example

Here’s an illustration of how to effectively practice proactive goal-setting:

• The What: My objective is to shed 20 pounds by December 2022.
• The Why: I aim to achieve a healthier version of myself and boost my energy levels to engage in meaningful activities with my loved ones.
• The How: I plan to incorporate resistance training sessions from Monday to Thursday, alongside cardio workouts from Friday to Sunday for a six-month period to reach my weight loss goal. My weekly routine will include upper body workouts twice a week and lower body workouts twice a week, performing three exercises for each muscle group.
• The When: I will commence my six-month workout plan tomorrow, on Monday, and stick to it diligently.

What’s your goal? Follow this four-step framework and watch your success rate soar.

The Four-Step Process:

• The What
• The Why
• The How
• The When

In this video, Jay Shetty discusses three critical questions to ask yourself when setting goals, guiding you through the initial stages of effective goal creation.

This informative video provides a comprehensive toolkit for setting and achieving your goals, offering strategies that ensure you stay on track and succeed.