D.A.P.P.E.R. Goals

D.A.P.P.E.R. Goals

D. Determinable

• Goals must be defined and measurable.
• Goals that are too vague or too broad are more likely to be missed.
• Goals without measurable and visible progress will be abandoned along the way.
• Examples:
  • Non-determinable Goal 1: I would like to be healthier.
  • Non-determinable Goal 2: I would like to be in better physical shape.
  • Non-determinable Goal 3: I would like to get in better physical shape by training to run a half marathon.
  • Determinable Goal: I would like to get in better physical shape by training to run a half marathon in under three hours.

A. Authentic

• Goals must be authentic.
• Goals must be your own goals.
• You will not follow someone else’s goals for yourself with the same passion and determination as when they are your own goals.
• Examples:
  • Non-authentic Goal: I would like to get in better physical shape by training to run a half marathon in under three hours because my friend/spouse/doctor wants me to do it.
  • Authentic Goal: I would like to get in better physical shape by training to run a half marathon in under three hours to prove to myself that I can.

P. Passionate

• Goals must ignite a spark within you.
• Goals must stretch you.
• Goals must be related to your dreams.
• Examples:
  • Non-passionate Goal: I would like to get in better physical shape by training to run a half marathon in under three hours to prove to myself that I can.
  • Passionate Goal: Because I have always enjoyed running and have never ran a race this long, I would like to get in better physical shape by training to run a half marathon in under three hours to prove to myself that I can.

P. Pragmatic

• Goals must be about a passion and also pragmatic.
• Non-pragmatic goals are pipe dreams or absurdities.
• Examples:
  • Non-pragmatic Goal: Because I have always enjoyed running and have never ran a race this long, I would like to get in better physical shape by running a half marathon in under three hours next weekend, to prove to myself that I can.
  • Pragmatic Goal: Because I have always enjoyed running and have never ran a race this long, I would like to get in better physical shape by following a training plan in order to run a half marathon in under three hours to prove to myself that I can.

E. Ending

• Goals must have an end point.
• Goals without a deadline will become deserted.
• Examples:
  • Non-ending Goal: Because I have always enjoyed running and have never ran a race this long, I would like to get in better physical shape by following a training plan in order to run a half marathon in under three hours to prove to myself that I can.
  • Ending Goal: Because I have always enjoyed running and have never ran a race this long, I would like to get in better physical shape by following a training plan for six months in order to run a half marathon in under three hours to prove to myself that I can.

R. Recorded

• Goals must be recorded.
• Goals not written down are quickly forgotten.
• Writing them down and placing them in a routinely seen place leads to keeping goals at the forefront of our mind.
• My Goal to write down: Because I have always enjoyed running and have never ran a race this long, I would like to get in better physical shape by following a training plan for six months in order to run a half marathon in under three hours to prove to myself that I can.