To Get Clear on Goals, Look at Needs

Looking at what we need and want is a way to bring goals into focus. It is essential for both needs & goals to be specific and ranked in importance.

Needs are essentials for survival, while wants are things that would be nice to have. As basic needs are met, higher needs become more important. Look at what you need and want from yourself and from others, as well as what others need and want. Identify needs and wants in all life areas…

AREA:	POSSIBLE NEEDS & WANTS:
Mental (to learn)	Information, challenges, freedom
Spiritual (to grow)	Meaning, purpose, principles, character
Emotional (to receive & to give)	Recognition, respect, affection, support, understanding, kindness
Relationship (to share)	Appreciation, consideration, love, romance
Social (to connect)	Interaction with others, communication, friendship, family, belonging
Physical (to care for)	Food, shelter, rest, exercise
Financial (to work)	Contribution, achievement, security
Recreational (to enjoy)	Fun, new experiences

Look at each area in the context of the other areas. What are your mental, spiritual, emotional, social, physical, financial, and recreational needs in a relationship?

Time Table

3 x 4 = Time management. Manage three things: activities, spaces (home, office, desk and the objects within them) and information with four methods:

Evaluate

• Activities-What do you want to do?
• Space-What do you want to have?
• Information-What do you want to know?

Simplify

• Activities-Eliminate time wasters. Delegate. Learn how to say no.
• Space-Eliminate things you don’t want.
• Information-Select the best information.

Increase Effectiveness

• Activities-Set priorities. Do the most important things first.
• Space-Focus effort on the most important areas.
• Information-Focus on the most important information.

Increase Efficiency

• Activities-Determine peak time. Concentrate. Change habits. Set up systems.
• Space-Organize the things you do want. Use prime space for valued and frequently used items. Keep things near where they are used.
• Information-Organize the information you do want. Set up a file system.

“Efficiency is doing the job right. Effectiveness is doing the right job.”-Peter Drucker