SCARFF: Thinking about your Goals

“Why should I waste my time thinking about what to do, when I can go and do it?” Does that sound familiar to you? We have all said this to ourselves at one point or the other, to justify how busy we are.

This may suggest that goals are not that important, and then I began to think: “Can a person be found guilty of murder if premeditation is not proven? Can action be taken without forethought?” It then occurred to me that all our efforts require thought.

The first thing we must learn about success is that it is achieved through thought; by my thoughts I know what to do. On the other hand, my actions can also teach me what not to do.

It is no surprise that senior management positions are occupied by people who are able to make decisions regarding what needs to be done. After all, doing the right things are different from doing things the right way.
So, the purpose of this short piece is to make you go back to your “drawing board” bearing in mind that if success were a building, she may not be allowed to stand if there were no plans for it in the first place.

Spend more time thinking about what you do or else, what you do will always be what someone else tells you.

Tip from the ICEberg: ”The only certainty in life is change; go for it.

Idris Babatunde Alabi is the I.C.E. Man.

“SCARFF™

When developing goals, the application of “SCARFF™” provides focus and ensures that most areas in our life are looked at. To remind you again, they would include:

Spiritual – the essence of your being

Career – utilisation of your gifts, talents, special abilities

Affecting – deeds of selflessness, investment in others

Recreation – leisure, interests, pursuits, hobbies

Family – core relationships

Financial – money matters

 

This process helps you to define your goal and the evidence you need to know that you have achieved your goal.

 

The first thing to do is to describe your goal in positive, affirmative terms instead of expressing what you want to get rid of. “What is your goal? What do you want to achieve?” “What must happen over a specified period?”
Secondly, you would need to establish actions that would lead you towards your goal. “What will you do to achieve your goal? What is your plan?” “What must you do now?” These are your ojectives.

Thirdly, establish the anticipated impact of the achievement of your goal. “What benefit would the achievement of your goal give to you? What is the long-term effect of the achievement? What is it good for?” This is the anticipated impact you are looking for.

Finally, for each of the goals, create columns for the goal, the actions to be taken, the person you will be accountable to, the date to achieve it, and the measures that inform you that they have been achieved.

Tip from the ICEberg: ”The only certainty in your life is change; go for it.”