How To Achieve Co-operation In Goal Setting
Posted By Mary on July 8, 2009
When it comes to goal setting we often find two contradictory factors. One is of course, that we are accountable for our own actions and the other is that we can rarely achieve anything without the help of other people. What is needed is co-operation in goal setting from others. Further more we need to gain their WILLING co-operation, not forced.
To achieve willing co-operation in goal setting the first rule is that you must be passionate, specific and vivid about your goal. Simple put, if YOU are not passionate, specific and vivid about your goal, how can you expect others to respond and be willing to co-operate? Moreover, if you do not have a clear picture of what you wish to achieve, you will not move towards your goal.
The second principle is that you need to be committed to your goal. If you are not totally in love and committed to your goal, then again, how can you expect others to co-operate and feel the same level of commitment?
What these two points mean, is that you are quite clear about what your wish to obtain from your goal. And in so doing, you will find that you can persuade others to co-operate and assist you in reaching your desired goal.
A third and important aspect in getting others to co-operate with you is that you really do need to have empathy regarding the needs of those you wish to help you reach your goal. Put another way, you need to understand not only on an intellectual basis but also emotionally, what the others will also gain from this goal.
For example. If your goal is to achieve a Millionaire Mindset and create Abundance in all areas of your life, then you need to make it clear what the others in your life will gain….i.e it maybe a much longed for holiday, or college fees paid. In fact it may well be any number of areas which the other(s) will gain from co-operating and helping you to achieve your goal. Just remember, let them know what’s in it for them. Yes, even the Bank Manager!!
The fourth area to remember is that you ensure that each member of your ‘team’ is involved in modifying, improving and adding to your goal. One of the reasons why each individual is unique is that they can make their own individual and unique contribution. Ensuring that everyone involved in your goal setting has a real say, not only ensures goal ownership but it creates synergy. By this it means that the effort of the team is greater than the sum of the efforts of its individual members. This applies even if there is only one other person involved in your goal setting.
The final point is that, as with everything, you need to be patient. It really doesn’t pay to race ahead, rush and thereby get too far ahead of the rest of the team, or the other person. If the team, or other person, is a little slower than you, then slow down, relax and allow a natural rhythm to flow. The results will be much more satisfactory and achieved without stress.
Getting others to co-operate with your goal setting is really a win/win situation, if you take the time and patience to ensure that others involved realize that they too will gain a lot from their help.
After all, no-one likes to put in the hard yards for nothing!
For more help on Goal Setting see
The Philosophy of Goal Setting Part 1
The Philosophy of Goal Setting Part 2
I find it’s always a great idea to have a support system in place, where there is accountability for your actions. I has helped me achieve my goals.
Great post.