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Maybe this sounds like a filler of sorts.  However, this is a very important step when it comes to setting goals.  The goal must be achievable.  But, what does that mean?

First, we talked about a goal being conceivable.  That simply means you can think of it.  You can conceive the goal.  That leaves a broad range of ideas.  But, those ideas and dreams are the beginning.

Second, we talked about a goal being believable.  We understand that you must believe in the goal.  Perhaps, that narrows the field somewhat.  We can conceive landing on the moon.  But, for most of us that goal may not be believable.  We may not have the opportunity to become an astronaut.  Or, if you want to swim the English Channel, you may not have the physical characteristics necessary to swim the channel.  Of course, that may not mean that you cannot work out and develop the necessary strength and endurace, but that is up to you.  If you believe that you can do the physical activity that will develop your body sufficiently, perhaps swimming the miles between France and England is believable.  The real key is if you believe.

Achievable takes some of the guesswork out of your goal.  It is always easier mentally to set a goal if you know that someone has done what you want to do.  We are going to use the example of credit card debt here.  Let’s say that you are drowning, not in the English Channel, but in credit card debt.  How would the first three steps of goal setting relate?

1. Conceivable:  You can conceive your life without credit card debt.  You remember when you did not have a credit card or the debt that occurred after you secured your credit card.  So, let’s say that in fact, being without credit card debt is conceivable.
2. Believable:  You believe that you have the will power and self-discipline to pay off your credit card debt.  You believe that you can see the light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak.
3. Achievable:  You may know someone who has paid off their debts.  You may know someone who was up to his eyeballs in credit card debt and is now living without credit cards and monthly statements that have “minimum balance” at the bottom.  You know that getting out from under the burden of excessive credit card debt is possible because you know someone who has achieved exactly what you want to achieve.

These are the first three steps in setting a goal.  They are qualifying steps for setting your goal.

Since much of this blog is addressing finances so far, let’s say that for all intents and purposes you are thinking about setting your goal… I will pay off my credit card debt.  I will owe nothing to the credit card companies. 

Having held the goal up to the first three standards, it seems possible that this is a goal.  But, is that all it takes to achieve your goal, to reach success?  Not quite, but it is a start.