By: Dr. Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, Sr. Associate Editor-ICN Group
KOLKATA: In some of the previous articles, we understood how to convert the desires into S.M.A.R.T.E.R. goals and how to state the goals to make them really achievable and summarise them to give you at a glance picture of all your goals over a period of time. Today, we will know how to identify your ‘plus’ and ‘minus’ points.
Identify ‘Plus’ and ‘Minus’ points of your personality
We are not perfect in all respect. Our personality has some ‘Plus’ points and some ‘Minus’ points. Though you are free to set any goals, but remember, your level of success will depend upon your own personality. I encourage you to take a test of your personality. Be honest with yourself; it is your own analysis, which you don’t have to show anybody else. Try to identify your ‘Plus’ points and ‘Minus’ points.
Rest assured that you will have a long list of both. Here is the suggestion, which will bring a huge difference in your thinking process and your life. Don’t get disheartened due to your ‘Minus’ points. Instead, try to take maximum benefit of ‘Plus’ points by strengthening the same. At the same time, keep on improving by working upon ‘Minus’ points. Keep on working upon improving your skills. Develop regular reading habits. Improving your skills will not only make you better on your ‘Minus’ points, it will also strengthen your ‘Plus’ points. You can apply this technique in each area of your life.
Time management experts also suggest doing analysis of your Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (commonly known as SWOT analysis). For SWOT analysis, you have to ask some crucial questions to yourself. For a clear understanding, I am giving you the list of questions, which I asked to myself, when I was working on my workshop titled ‘How to Add 50000 Productive Hours to Your Life’. I had read about the SWOT analysis since my childhood. I decided to go for a written analysis. My questions will show you the power of asking right questions to yourself.
Strengths
What are my major abilities which may be helpful in achieving this goal?
–Do I have any special knowledge or skill?
–What resources do I have for this goal?
–From whom I can seek help from outside?
–What skills are considered strengths in this area?
Weaknesses
–What are my main limiting factors?
–What skills are needed, which I am lacking?
–Any other limiting factor, such as lack of money, time, assistance etc.?
–What is not working in this area right now? What can be done to improve this situation?
Opportunities
–How can I take advantage of my plus points?
–What are the opoortunities available before me and what is my competitive edge over others?
–What skills have to be developed and how?
–Any major changes required in my lifestyle to pursue this goal?
Threats
–What are the internal threats?
–What are the external threats?
–What obstacles are expected?
–Whether any of my weaknesses may increase level of the above threats?
–Whether any of my strengths may mitigate the above threats?
This is not the exhaustive list of questions. You can add your questions according to your real-life situation. My basic thrust is on the point that you should identify your strengths i.e. ‘Plus’ points, which have brought you success so far and which will bring you success in future also. Remember, you don’t fail due to your weaknesses; you fail just because you focus on your weaknesses. If you shift your focus upon your ‘Plus’ points and simultaneously keep on trying to improve on your ‘Minus’ points, success is bound to come at a faster pace. I would say, even if you are not able to overcome some of your weaknesses, you will succeed, if you focus on your strengths.
You can apply the same methodology separately in every area of your life. When you finish your SWOT analysis, write down at least 10 reasons, why you will not fail in your particular goal. If you regularly look at this list, believe me, nothing in the world is more motivational for you than this list of reasons, as to why you can’t fail.
(In the next article, we will know how to identify the possible obstacles in the wake of achieving your goals. I believe that you are enjoying the journey towards the future of your dreams with me. If yes, please stay tuned every Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday. Happy G.O.P.T.A.)
Dr. Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, Creator & copyright holder of the concept G.O.P.T.A.© is an Author, Certified NLP Lifestyle Master Practitioner, Corporate Trainer & Motivational Speaker and recipient of Honorary Doctorate of Excellence (Management) by prestigious Young Scientist University, California, USA. He is Founder of ‘Read, Learn & Earn Movement’ and is popularly known among his fans & followers across the globe as ‘Time and Goal Guru’.
