As a life coach and a wellness coach I am always looking for tools that will support people in achieving their goals.  Since businesses tend to foster a particularly goal oriented environment, its worthwhile to see what tools they use in achieving their goals.  One tool which is very prevalent and incredibly powerful is the contract.  You may find that a contract written in your own personal life can be very supportive when you set out to achieve your goals.

Contract versus Goals

What’s the difference between writing down your goals on a piece of paper and writing down your goals as a formal contract?  To get some guidance on this lets look at how dictionary.com defines a goal and a contract.

Goal = the result or achievement toward which effort is directed; aim; end.

Contract = 1. an agreement between two or more parties for the doing or not doing of something specified. 2. an agreement enforceable by law.  3. the written form of such an agreement.

A written goal has inspiration, vision, excitement and possibility affiliated with it.  It is the culmination of your efforts into a final outcome.  It provides clarity as to the actions you will take and guides you towards your intended desire.

A contract is a tool that by definition is also written.  It involves more than one party.  It is something that is enforceable.  Hummmmmm - sounds like a goal could be written as a contract with a little support of family, friends or colleagues. 

Why would I want a Contract?

Simply put a contract has a binding quality to it.  Rather than just simply stating a goal, a contract is a commitment.  Its a big step to enroll support, take action and COMMIT to a certain outcome.  The contract is a guarantee that you have willingly accepted and defined.  You’ve also set up an enforceable structure such that there is a high likelihood that you will complete what you have set out to achieve. 

To relate this back to business - ask yourself why would they have contracts?  Could you imagine what our business environment would look like without them?  Project timelines and dates would be left open, scope of activities would be unclear, and expectations would not be properly set.  Furthermore there would be no repercussions for products or services not rendered.  A poorly designed contract without much detail leaves room for uncertainty. 

So why would I make a contract in my personal life?  Simply put - because the likelihood of accomplishing what you set your mind to increases.  In making the contract you’ve thought through a plan, you’ve established the importance of the goal, you’ve considered support structures to make them happen, and you’ve written it down for your reference - sound similar to SMART goals?  A contract can be thought of as a SMART goal on steroids! 

Who can use a Contract

Granted, not everyone reading this entry is going to go out and create contracts for their health and wellness, financial, personal growth, and life goals.  This tool may not be for everyone.  Specifically, if you are someone that is very good with goal setting and attainment - a contract might be just a little over the top for what you need.  Writing down SMART goals may just do it for you.  There are many people that fall into this category.

On the other hand, I’ve coached a number of clients that setting fun SMART goals just isn’t enough.  Some might say that their ‘motivation’ is low.  Quite often these people are extremely motivated at work, or other aspects of life - what is different?  Well it could be a number of things.  Perhaps the goal that was created really is not ‘relevant’ or so important to them.  For example, we all know the person that wants to exercise regularly that can’t get off the couch in the evening.  Well, what is the goal and when faced with the option that day of the couch or the treadmill - are the benefits of the goal really inspiring enough to take action?  If not, that person values the time on the couch more than the results of using the treadmill - simple enough.

If you find yourself in this situation but deep in your heart you know that you really want to take action despite what your past results have been, then perhaps a contract would be useful.  When writing out the contract use as many of the following tips as possible for the most empowering results. 

How to Write an Empowering Contract

In list form, here are key elements of designing and writing out an empowering contract:

• As implied -it must be written down - preferably typewritten
• The contract must express actions/goals that are under your own control (ie: I can control going to the gym, but I can not control exactly how many pounds of weight loss that translates into)
• The contract should have a timeline on it.  The timeline should be less than 1 year.
• The contract should have repercussions should it not be completed as written.  Those should be clear and relevant.
• The contract should also have a bonus for successful completion.  Again, this should be relevant and perceived as enjoyable!
• The contract must be signed and dated
• The contract must have a signature of a witness or any others involved in the execution of the contract
• The contract should be posted in a visible location

A an example, I have provided a contract for your reference.  You can view this by clicking here "Sample Contract".  You can see all of the elements listed above in this sample.  It is clear, concise, and relevant to the goal that I would like to attain.  It demonstrates the thought I have put into the goal and while it is not an action plan, it does refer to what the actions will look like to make it happen. 

In Summary

In summary, the contract is a tool that can be very useful in taking action when you have failed to in the past.  Part of designing the contract is expressing what you want to do on paper, discussing this with others, building an enforceable structure that will support you in attaining your goal, and most importantly it represents a commitment to yourself and others that you are willing to take action. 

When you sign a contract, you might notice that your palms get a little sweaty, that you find it hard to commit even to yourself.  The simple act of signing the contract is huge and it symbolically represents change.  If you find yourself struggling to do this, ask yourself how life will look when you complete the contract.  Is it exciting, does it fill you with passion and joy?  If so, you are simply signing a contract to achieve those feelings.  Acknowledge yourself for being willing to take this huge step towards your dreams and goals.

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Be Well

Related Articles:

• 10 Steps to Success - Step 4 Set Goals
• Developing Lifestyle Change Goals

Written by Doug Nau, The Wellness Coach, i-grow.net