Goal Getting. The Science of Achieving Goals- Book Review

As someone that is goal orientated, this book really helped me to refocus, as it provided clear, practical and inspiration quotes, examples, evidence and research that encourages’ one to achieve their goals, and how to go about doing it.
The purpose of this book is to reassure anyone who wants to achieve their goals, to have the method and plan to do it. Power and Dingle use research from many different sources to provided practical and easy to follow guidelines, to improve our own achievement, commitment and determination of our own goals, and to attain them.
The book is broken into four parts, with eighteen easy to read chapters. Part one is about how goals affect the journey of our lives; how we need tools to assist us to get the things we want from life and to identify what is important in our lives. I found this the hardest part to follow, as it reminded me why I do not write down my goals, and changing conditioning.
Part 2 is the force of the book, providing you with the support network to follow one’s personal goals. This area explains what a goal setting process is, and encourages you to clarifying and explores the questions: What? When? Where? How? WHY? And Who? These questions give a clear motion to the whole process, and provide the framework to internalise the development of accepting that only I have the responsibility for achieving my goals.
The book is refreshing in that it gives great research that backs up the claim that goals focused on materialism have been associated with negative effects and goals oriented towards self-acceptance, creating community feeling, physical fitness and health, etc., encourage people to enjoy positive wellbeing.
Lists are included that help assist with what areas in your life need goals, to improve or priorities and what are your options.
Part 3 was my favourite part of the book, as it made everything so clear. At points of reading in this section, I was compelled to get up to dot down a goal or point that inspired me. This part was the power of commitment, thinking about and actually writing down those goals. Research and discussion about the power of writing, power of purpose in one’s life and the need to be comparison free, in that they are your personal goals and shouldn’t measure up towards anyone else’s was enlightening. List of questions in all aspect of life, such as health, family and home, relationships, career and business, traveling help to stimulate your creative brain to explore what do you really want, and having the ‘courage, character, conviction and commitment’ (p.110) to do it.
Part 4 describes the end process, once one understands what their goals are. It supports you to rank, review and reward once attained. It emphasis believing in yourself, creating positive affirmations and the power of visualisation in motivating ones towards their goals, big or small, short or long term. Meditation, breathing and other health points are included, explaining the powerful effects on reducing stress, blood pressure and other health problems, if we just practice to deep breath and relax, as part of our day.
Really enjoyed part 3 and 4 and yes I have priories’ what goals I will achieve in ink, and reminders of how to achieve them. I learnt that having specific, written goals is essential to know what our purpose and direction in life, and to get the most out of our short life. I highly recommended this book to all people who would like to re-focus on what they want most out of their life, in any area.

I say write down your goals and review them regularly and you will achieve. Being a muslims I depend on God's will, as nothing can happan without his permission. For example when Ibraheem (Peace be upon him) and Ismaeel (Peace be upon him) finish building the Kakbah in Makkah, they said , and the verse says: “And remember Abraham and Isma’il raised the foundations of the House (With this prayer): “Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us: For Thou art the All-Hearing, the All-knowing”. (Surat Al-Baqarah, Verse 127)

Notice how although they were doing the most noble task on earth at that moment, and they had achieve such a great task, they weren’t arrogant about it and asked Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) to accept it from them. So we have to remember, it is Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) who gave you or me the means to achieve a goal at that time, so be thankful and always ask Him to accept from you your hard work, and give us the ability and steadfastness to achieve our gaols inshallah.



The title of this book is Goal Getting and is written by author Peter Dingle and published by Comet Publishing. The ISBN of this book is 9780646499116 and the format is Paperback

Mental health- the way we think affects our actions

When I achieve a goal, I feel very excited, happy and proud of myself for achieving and accomplishing my goals. I felt hopeful for the future, and I was thinking how capable I can be when I put my mind to something important to me. “Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve!- W. Clement Stone

Mental health is a state of being. A perception of the world around us. It can be positive or negative, and have the facility to conquer a person’s connection to the outside world, or it can be strong, driven and proactive. A person’s mental health is in a good position when thoughts are balanced. Meaning a person mind set is depended on our perception and interpretation of our environment, our inner beliefs, values and attitudes; our expectations and feelings.
How we think determines how we feel. If I think I am going to fail university, I will feel distress, or stressed. If I think I can do this, I know I have the capability, and I manage my time wisely, I may feel hopeful, engaged, excited that I can do it! Thanking effects a balanced and positive mind frame, an important part of good mental health. Another important aspect of mental health is knowing yourself and being self-aware. In life, it is important to consciously develop a clearer awareness of self by assessing the way we think.

What is a Leader? A self-evaluation of my leadership skills now: what have I learned?

Attribute 1 Good communication and listening skills
Reflections: Taking care of being able to clearly express ideas and concerns is essential for the true meaning to come across, and thinking about the right timing. Giving positive feedback and evolving all in decision making, supports a smooth process and promotes cooperation.
Examples: At one stage I felt emotional vulnerable by some personal events in my life, so at that stage, what people said , wrote and did at times, sometime was interpreted as a personal attack, when this was not the intention.
Theory and research: According to Handy (Maddock, 1999, p.4) listen and communicating are essential qualities for a leader and Daft (1998, p.21) explain underlays a strength for a fusion leader. Network of connections and collaborating with others are characteristics of transformational leadership (Maddock, 1999)
Strategies: Need to improve in giving constructive criticism, as overlooking can affect progress. Recognise under pressure how I respond, and communicate at times when emotional state is balanced (Geldard & Geldard, 2003, p. 188)

Attribute 2 Self- Awareness
Reflections: Through this process, I strongly agree that Leaders understand themselves, and maintain self –reflection, noticing how these things influence our attitudes, relationships and behaviour.
Examples: I learnt that there is a preferred preference for working toward specific goals by myself, but participation is important, and I dont mind not having total ownership of a project.

Theory and research: Relating to fostering a better understanding of ones’ self, Sinclar (2011,p.453) explains that identity work ‘allows people to be more present, more able and open and connect to others, and see what is going on’. (Sinclair, 2011, p.453). Human relations perspective uses an approach that encourages desires for ‘self-expression and self-actualisation.’ (Jones, & May, 199, p.41)

Strategies: Need to positively reinforce my own achievements, and take opportunities to have breaks.


Attribute 3 Commitment
Reflections: Having a clear sense of vision and direction comes hand in hand with commitment ( Senge, 1990). I have come to realise that being overly reliable and committed, is truly a double-edged sword. It helps me achieve my goals, but on the other hand, I wish I could just turn it off and on at will

Examples: I put in long hours performing assigned tasks over and above requirement, even when it means inconveniencing me.

Theory and research: Commitments requires passion, energy, responsibility and when a group of people each are committed to a common vision, achievement of anything can happen (Senge, 1990, p.221). Bennis (Doherty & Horne, 2002, p.208) found that transformational leaders had the capability to create compelling vision that had everyone commitment to achieving.
Strategies for Commitment: I relish the feeling of being busy, yet you also need to know when I am “done.” Attach timelines and measurement to goals so that effort leads to
defined progress and tangible outcomes (Rath, 2007, p.14)

Attribute 4 Motivation
Reflections: Achieve, have patience, work hard and believe others will work hard too. This in not always the case. I think people work well when they share information; operated from each of our strengths, and contribute to each other. I like to bring about initiatives, encourage idea and tracked my progress, which create enthusiasm and momentum in a group situation, and others comment on my commitment, which helped them stay on track.

Examples: One team member in my Uni assignment was very hard to get in contact with and lack interest. Instead of getting frustrated by it, I stood up to be the research assistant in the project, as this position focus on sharing the information I have collected to assist her.
Theory and research: Fusion leadership describes a new way of leading based on "fusion," a coming together of whole individuals to accomplish mutual goals based on shared vision and values, bring about a sense of unity (Daft, 1998, p.15). Additional belief is following behavioural theories, using Blake and Mouton’s Managerial Grid ( Module 3,2007, p.4), whereby I found to have a leadership style that emphasis team leadership– high on production and high on people relationships (Mind tools, 1996-2011).
Strategies for motivation: Take advantage of my self-motivation by setting challenging goals, in different learning/passion areas (Rath, 2007).


Attribute 5 Supporting and encouraging themselves and others
Reflections: I found I gain a certain degree of satisfaction when I could
be of some service to others. A strengthen I found was I am good at offering assistance to people who are struggling to do their part or when an issue came up. Acted as a Coordinator/team worker, which aids the group to clarify goals, promote decision making and evaluate progress (Hudson, 2009, p. 373).

Examples: Instinctively, I notice others accomplishments, contribution, skills, and derive much pleasure from honouring and encouraging individuals, especially when their good results are the fruit of hard work.

Theory and research: This would be using ‘situational leadership’, whereby one looks for opportunities to take action on a matter (McDonald, 2011, p.40). Also using a transformational leadership style where one engages personally in collaborative ways (Maddock, 1999).

Strategies: Since it is strength, learn more about being a team leader. Understand peoples’ working methods, strengthens and weakness before starting a project (Hudson, 2009, p.369)

I have learnt I consider various ways to initiate, nurture, and sustain the linkages between
Individuals and groups and bring people together. I made an effort to be available for others, by being more visible. I learnt that this facilitated two way communications, and helps support one another. I took opportunities to be assertive in a non-aggressive way, building up my personal assurance of what I stand for. I agree that good communication and commitment are part of a reinforcing foundation of a clear sense of vision (Senge, 1990, p.227).

Self reflection is a journey has been enlightening, and the most important lesson to be learnt, it is the collaborative process that support each leader.