How Can You Tell If A Goal Is Achievable And Realistic?

Like many people, I set New Year's resolutions. I'm a longtime runner, and this year, I challenged myself to hit a certain speed goal on the treadmill by March 31. In some ways, it was the perfect goal. It was specific (finish an 18-minute progressive speed workout I had clipped from Oxygen magazine). It was measurable (see the 18 minute part—and the treadmill doesn't lie on speed). It was time-bound (March 31!). Those are the S, M, and T of the SMART acronym people often suggest for goal setting. It was the other two letters that gave me pause: Was it Achievable (A) and Realistic (one of the commonly cited Rs)? It's a tricky question, with ramifications for how people set their own goals, and how organizations set goals for employees as well. Safe Versus delusional On one end of the spectrum, some goals are in what Michael Hyatt, co-author of Living Forward: A Proven Plan to Stop Drifting and Get the Life You Want, calls the delusional zone. "That would be me deciding I want to play in the NBA," he says, or me trying to hit a Paula Radcliffe mile time. Those are just demoralizing. On the other hand, easy goals do little for you, either. "There has to be some element that you might not achieve it. Otherwise it's not compelling," he says. Where he advocates hanging out is the "discomfort zone." Goals set there involve "some fear, some uncertainty, some doubt." You have to think through the process for achieving your goal, because it won't be automatic. You have to be... Continue reading at 'Fast Company'

[ Fast Company | 2016-04-12 00:00:00 UTC ]

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Christian Bookseller Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award-Winner Reflects on Five Decades of Writing

Author Josh McDowell on childhood molestation, what he's learned in 55 years of writing, and winning the Christian Bookseller Association's Lifetime Achievement Award. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-07-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Bloomsbury Makes Progress on Strategic Goals

Although sales and earnings at Bloomsbury were relatively flat for the year ended February 28, 2015 compared to fiscal 2014, the company did make progress in easing its dependence on the “traditional book market,” company chief executive Nigel Newton said. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-05-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The U.N. Turns to Comics to Promote Global Goals

In collaboration with Reading With Pictures and a number of publishers, the United Nations is planning The Comics Guide to Global Goals, a series of 17 comics that address the world's toughest development problems. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-05-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Gerald sets out Booktrust goals

Diversifying funding sources, making the Best Book Awards a biennual event and enforcing the idea of reading for pleasure are some of the goals for new Booktrust chief executive officer Diana Gerald, who took up the post in March. Gerald, who joined Booktrust from educational charity Ark... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-04-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Industry goals for the general election

The new government should be stronger on copyright, more supportive of the arts and place more emphasis on libraries, trade figures have told The Bookseller. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-03-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Currie: 'more to be achieved at Foyles'

Incoming Foyles c.e.o. Paul Currie has told The Bookseller his new role is "oozing with opportunity", with "much more work to be done."    Currie, a former Hamleys c.o.o. and Molton Brown retail executive, said he is ready to grow the Foyles business to “realise the potential of its brand” and,... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-01-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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New York Times Buyout Requests Don't Meet Paper's Goal

At least 85 New York Times employees applied for voluntary buyouts by yesterday's deadline, falling short of the number the newspaper publisher said was needed to avoid firings, according to a union representative.Grant Glickson, the chairman of the New York Times unit of the Newspaper Guild of... Continue reading at Advertising Age

[ Advertising Age | 2014-12-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Paul Durcan receives Bob Hughes Lifetime Achievement award

Contemporary Irish poet Paul Durcan will be honoured with the Bob Hughes Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book Awards.   Durcan will be presented with the award on Wednesday 26th November at a ceremony in Dublin. He will join past recipients of the award,... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-10-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Ursula K. Le Guin to Receive NBF Lifetime Achievement Award

Neil Gaiman will present the medal to Le Guin at the 65th National Book Awards ceremony on November 19, in New York City. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-09-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Check it Out with Michael Kelley: ALA Moves on Legislative Goals

Much of the media coverage of libraries in 2014 to date has centered on the modest progress made on the ebook issue. But 2014 has been a year of significant progress for libraries in the public policy sphere, with a number of library initiatives advancing. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-08-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Kickstarter Diary Chapter 2: Rewards and Goals—Running the Numbers

Once I’d made up my mind I was going to do a Kickstarter campaign, the first thing I needed to do was figure out how the math was going to work—and there were a lot of numbers to run. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-07-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Digital Publishing and the Art of Achieving Audience Loyalty

Newspaper and magazine publishers have always been rather more than pure media companies. Look back a hundred years and you’ll find a multiplicity of reader promotions and clubs designed to keep readers loyal. Continue reading at Editor & Publisher

[ Editor & Publisher | 2014-06-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Stine, Jones Win Horror Writers Association's Lifetime Achievement Award

Past winners include Stephen King, Anne Rice, Joyce Carol Oates, and Ray Bradbury. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-02-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Book House Ends Kickstarter Campaign Above Goal

The suburban St. Louis bookstore ended its four-week Kickstarter campaign on Sunday, more than $2,000 above its goal. The funds raised are being used to build out a section of its new home so that the store can open for business on weekends before Christmas. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2013-12-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Magazines' Next Big Goal: Reaching Latinas In English

Magazine companies are increasingly shifting their attention to the surging Hispanic community in the U.S. and their impressive buying power.In the last 10 months, Hearst, Conde Nast and Time Inc. have introduced or strengthened English-language magazines and inserts aimed at Latinas, a growing... Continue reading at Advertising Age

[ Advertising Age | 2013-11-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Industry Achiever: Dan Starnes

Dan Starnes might not have an extensive background in journalism, but the Alabama newspaper publisher just launched his fourth community newspaper, the Hoover Sun, last month. He also owns The Homewood Star, 280 Living, and Village Living, all of whi ... Continue reading at Editor & Publisher

[ Editor & Publisher | 2012-11-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Herralde to receive LBF Lifetime Achievement Award

The London Book Fair Lifetime Achievement Award for 2012 will be awarded to Jorge Herralde,... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2012-02-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Somerset library campaigners hit fundraising goal

Written By: Graeme Neill Publication Date: Wed, 21/09/2011 - 12:30 Campaigners against library closures in Somerset have reached its initial target in fundraising for the forthcoming legal review. Earlier this year, 11 closures in the region were announced with six to shut in October and five... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-09-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Sonny Mehta to receive LBF Lifetime Achievement Award

Publication Date: Tue, 08/03/2011 - 09:44 Sonny Mehta, editor-in-chief of Alfred A Knopf, is to be awarded the eighth Lifetime Achievement Award in International Publishing by London Book Fair. Mehta has published authors including Thomas Mann, Willa Cather, Albert Camus, John Updike, Toni... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-03-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Digital book buyers 'more realistic' over ebook prices

Written By: Philip Jones Publication Date: Thu, 03/03/2011 - 08:45 Half of all book buyers expect to pay less for ebooks, according to new research by Mintel, but those book readers who already own ebook devices have marginally more realistic expectations over price, suggesting that the... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-03-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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