Are Your Goals Realistic?

A four-part model to transform the way you move forward.

John Whitmore, Graham Alexander, and Alan Fine all worked together, and in the mid-to-late 80s, they co-developed something called the G.R.O.W. Model.

GROW (Goal, Reality, Options, Way Forward) is a simple 4-step process. First, you’ll articulate a concise goal (Goal). Next, you’ll describe your current situation (Reality). This is followed by brainstorming options (Options) and next steps. Finally, you’ll identify and select one or more options to use in an action plan (Way Forward).

The GROW model is prevalent in the business coaching realm because it breaks down the vast and intimidating goal-setting process, which all too often allows people to either keep their heads in the clouds or get stuck in the weeds.

Are you the type of person who tends to focus on high-level thinking, perhaps overlooking the practicality of your goals? Or are you the type of person who has a hard time seeing beyond the day-to-day tasks, getting stuck when it comes to reaching higher?

Putting GROW into practice.

A good way of thinking about the GROW Model is to think about how you plan a journey. First, you decide where you are going (the goal) and establish where you currently are (your current reality). You then explore various routes (the options) to your destination. In the final step, establishing the will, you ensure that you're committed to making the journey and are prepared for the obstacles that you could meet on the way.

When creating your goal, remember to make it SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound). In doing so, you’ll ensure that you can measure your success and ‘check off’ your goal once you’ve met it.

Also, remember to pay close attention to your current reality and starting point. Consider asking yourself these questions:

- What happens now (what, who, when, and how often)? What is the effect or result of this? - Have you already taken any steps toward your goal? - Does this goal conflict with other goals or objectives you have?

Lastly, give yourself time to brainstorm your options and move forward. For some people, this is the most challenging part, wherein a business coach can be most helpful in offering outside perspective and insight. If you’re having a hard time reaching your goals and are looking for ways to move forward effectively, send me a message, and let’s chat.

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"Without dreams and goals, there is no living, only merely existing, and that is not why we are here." Mark Twain