Goal setting software In search for the best goal setting systems

Review: Achieve-IT!

This was basically the first piece of software that I encountered in my search. This also happens to be my first review on this blog. Because my testing procedure is not yet quantified and transparent - this will be a totally subjective review (as are most reviews).

The search

I found this piece of software while scouting the market of commercial products. The first thing that I saw was this advertising page [AL]. The first thing that came to mind was "This guy really knows about internet marketing". I mean - I found every selling technique I've ever heard of and then some (and I'm a certified NLP Master). Don't get me wrong - I think it's a good thing for people to know their trade. If someone takes the effort to learn something, AND applies the knowledge - the more confident I am he will do a good job with whatever he touches.

The other thing that convinced me into buying this piece of software was Brad Isaac's blog. It's full of golden goal setting information. I reckoned that if this guy knows that much - the software must have something to offer.

The last thing of notice is somewhat related to the marketing - the software is not available for a free trial - you do however get a 60 day period in which you can request a full refund, and then some. This is the modern lose-win approach. It requires you to give cash up front - but if you are unsatisfied, you can get a full refund and you get to keep some of the bonus goodies that you get along with the software.

The buy

Nothing special here - I paid with PayPal via ClickBank. Swift, easy and comfortable. Just a reminder - there are taxes. The $39 for the software grows to $47.58 after tax, but you probably got used to some government robbing you by now, right?

The first encounter

When you open the program, you are greeted with some motivational quotes (there seems to be quite a lot of them) from various sources (great thinkers, proverbs, motivational speakers). The next thing you will probably notice is the interesting and unique software interface - quite pleasing to the eye and very intuitive - all of the major function are one click away.

The program is divided into action areas:

• Brainstorm
  This is where the built in wizard will make you set goals for a year, 3 years, 5 years, 10 years and after.
• Manage
  Here you can well... manage your goals - move up, delete, set completed, change category - you get the idea.
• Refine
  You can do two additional things to your goal: enter the benefits of achieving the goal and the possible pitfalls when working on it
• Plan
  It is here where you set the end date of your goal. Also - you can export to MS Outlook Calendar and MS Outlook task list. This part is also where the best feature of the software IMO is situated - the "Motivate Me" feature.
• Refine
  This allows for additional setting of steps, which is pretty basic (and won't be covered in this review)

Brainstorm, Manage, Refine

When I saw these 3 options, I was thrilled to see one of my favourite problem solving methods. It's not even a specific method - just the assumption that your mind should not be bounded by "rational" thinking when coming up with ideas. The brainstorming comes first, then the other hemiphere comes in to refine and judge.

This is exactly what we are going to do. You first brainstorm your ideas for predefined timespans (1,5,10 years, lifetime). Next you list your benefits of achieving this goal and the possible pitfalls.

I've been thinking and attempting goal setting systems for some time now and I know that it is hard to keep something simple enough to be easy to use and comprehend, but have sufficient features to power your goals. Achieve-IT! goes for simplicity, which for me is a bit too scarce.

I have found that getting a big enough reason often equals coming up with a solution. Thus my systems require the user to list specific benefits and guide them through it. This still can be done in this software - it just takes a bit more user knowledge.

The pitfalls - nice to see that people in the self-help business are going out of the covering eye technique in avoiding possible failures. As the software states:

"If you know the pitfalls in advance, dealing with them will be a breeze"

I agree. On one condition - have a ready counteraction or state. Practise them in your mind. I you are trying to  quit smoking, the mere knowledge you will be tempted is not enough - you will have to have a pre-set plan that has been practised and conditioned.

Overall - decent set of features in this part.

Plan

This is the most exciting part of the software for me. Why? It fulfils one of my desired traits in a goal setting system. It gives you the choice of Outlook and GCalendar to work with. You can then export to a calendar or (in the case of Outlook) to a task list.

I have not tried the features related to MS Outlook as I... don't find it an appealing peace of software. The option of Google Calendar however was to my liking. As first - I couldn't find it. The help system did not live up to its name and I wrote to support. The solutions is a bit tricky because you have to enter the options screen, check an option, and press the Export to Outlook Calendar button. Not very intuitive, isn't it?

And  now my favourite function - the Motivate Me feature. It is a daily reminder about one specific goal, that is not just a reminder, but rather a quick tip on how can you visualize your goal. An example would be:

"Decide now what can you do today to make sure that you achieve your goal, (enter goal here), by (goal completion date here) and feel pleasure achieving it"

This is one of the more simple examples, others were very diverse and quite appealing. What's even better the integration with GCal allows you to get your motivation by SMS and read it in some leisure time - you do not have to be near your computer.

The feature allows you to set a specified hour, and it will insert reminders on a random time within a 3 hour range of the chosen time (random for the purpose of not getting too used too it). I would think the 3 hour timespan should be configured by the user, but maybe the author wanted to ensure that particular timespan.

Unfortunately there are some problems when using the feature on GCal. When I first used it, the apllication froze - and I found myself with duplicate reminders for each day. I already wrote about it to the author so he could resolve it. It probably it not an issue when using short term goals (mine was for a year later).

Overall - this is the best feature in the program, but it has it's flaws and space for improvement.

The verdict

After about 3 weeks with the software, working every 3rd day with it, I decided to ask for my money back. The reasons to why have been summarized in the cons/pros list at the end of the article. The motivate me feature - once I got used to it - was the only thing that I wanted, but being a software developer and wanting to work with the Google API for quite some time, I decided that I would write my own piece of software fitting my needs.

The bright part of all this is that I can also review the return process The return was uneventful, quick, professional and no questions asked. The total time was about 5 days, so there is no risk in buying it.

All in all - there is no risk to this transaction - you might want to try it and see if it fits your needs. If you would like to try the software and support this page click this link.

Cons:

• interface sometimes can 'lose' values
• misleading interface in the case of Google Calendar integration
• bugs in GCalc export
• rigid GCal export rules
• requires knowledge of goal setting from the user

Pros

• Simple
• Motivate Me feature
• Good support
• No risk trial
• Additional goodies that you can keep even after refund

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