Fun Goal Setting Activities

• "Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal." (Henry Ford) Jupiterimages/liquidlibrary/Getty Images

  According to Confucius, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." With these wise words in mind, is it safe to assume that the first step taken on any journey consists of a goal one hopes to achieve? Absolutely. While working toward goals can be time-consuming, this does not mean the process has to be void of fun. Here are some ways to add excitement to your goal-planning process.

Cash-In to Win

• The support of loved ones can make it easier to set and reach difficult goals. family image by Yoram Astrakhan from Fotolia.com

  When saving money for a new car or training for the next local 5k race, involve friends and family members to keep you accountable to meeting your goals. One way to do this is through a goal-setting website.

  Sites such as StickK.com allow online registrants to set and commit to goals by agreeing to the terms of a "Commitment Contract." Participants decide on the penalties they will face when they break the contract. Penalties ranges from having their money paid out to the recipient of their choice to having it donated to a charity they are not in support of---giving them the reinforcement needed to "stickK" to their goals.

Game Time

• Make the rules to your goal-setting game easy to follow. game image by Mitarart from Fotolia.com

  Creating a game for yourself and fellow goal-setters is another way to add an element of fun to your goal-setting process. The rules to your game can follow the same rules as "The Biggest Loser," "Survivor," or any other "game show" competition to give you a sense of being a part of an official contest.

  Prizes can range from cash collected from entry fees to season passes to a sporting event.

Chart Your Course

• Hang your goal map or timeline in a place it can be seen daily. note on the refrigerator iv image by Mykola Velychko from Fotolia.com

  Mapping your goals is one way to keep track of the progress you made since you initially set your goal. This method can keep you motivated while in pursuit of short-term and long-time goals.

  For example, if you are currently employed in an entry-level position and you intend to climb the corporate ladder, you may decide to create a goal map detailing your future career plans. Start by drawing a roadmap or timeline of your projected career.

  Your map can even be shaped like the objective of your goal (e.g. the outline of a sports car). Chart the path with icons that represent your milestones. Your timeline can consist of a horizontal line with evenly-spaced points plotted from the far left (your first step) to the far right (the finish line) along with brief descriptions of each step as you go through the process.

  Consider how you want to reward yourself prior to completing your ultimate goal and follow through with it once it is achieved.