Goals are good for you because they give you a sense of purpose and an ideal about what kind of future you want. They propel you towards that ideal and enable you to gain a feeling of competence with every reached milestone. When you reach a goal, you feel full of hope, as though a dream is coming true. In addition, you realize that you have the capacity to produce the life you want.
But to many, goals are vague things that float around loosely in one’s mind with no real specificity to them. Or, they’ve never been something adapted into your life. Perhaps you didn’t grow up with instructions on how to set and achieve goals. Maybe others around you were doing it and you were made to feel odd because it no one paid attention to the importance goals would play for you in life.
Whatever it is, this post is your info about goals. It’s about why they are so primary to a meaningful life, and how to go down the path of goal-setting and goal-attainment.
The Value in Reaching for a Dream
I was that girl in high school who looked around at others like, “How are they so successful/smart/athletic/popular?”. I felt like someone who was left outside of the circle of “knowers’. That everyone else had some secret sauce that made their life more exciting and interesting than mine. What I only learned in retrospect as a mother and an adult was that those people had dreams and goals and knew how to achieve them. I had dreams, sure, but no useful tools to draft them into reality.
This is not a pity party. I learned a lot (deeply!) by reflecting on knowing what I was missing. This wisdom makes it all the stronger in me: the realization that having and reaching goals makes you confident, successful, and enlivened.
The real value in setting goals though is not about the attainment of the object of the goal, such as getting that phat promotion, but in the self-development and growth that having and reaching goals triggers within (because that builds character and an inner life, which creates meaning and life substance). Let’s look at many reasons why goals are good for you.
Benefits of Goal Setting for Success in Life
There’s a part of our brain called the reticular activating system. It’s like a little assistant manager flying into action when you set a goal. It seeks to support your goal by noticing opportunities and necessary paths related to reaching the goal. Basically it’s similar to when you buy a Toyota Tacoma and suddenly see them everywhere; your brain becomes attuned to what you focus on.
According to psychologists, the mere action of writing down and specifying goals gives you a sense of grounding, purpose and satisfaction. This is because we gain a new outlook on our futures and what we may be capable of. Setting goals helps us define who we are, who we aim to be, which fleshes out our values and thus gives us a sense of identity and meaning.
Where focus goes, energy flows
tony robbins
In addition, having something to aim at connects us to our future and compels us to listen to our innate inclinations of solving our problems. Being that success relies on problem-solving and seeing paths forward, having goals leads to a successful life because you can see and plan for what you want to happen verses simply wishing for it or having vague ideas undefined. As Dave Ramsey says, ‘If you aim at nothing, you’ll hit it every time.’ Goals = aiming at something worthwhile.
Here are some meaningful ways goals relate to success:
5 Ways Goals Lead to Success
- Motivation: Setting goals provides a sense of direction and purpose, which motivates you to take action towards achieving them. This gives you a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, which increases overall happiness and well-being.
- Focus: Goals help you prioritize what is important and hones your attention and efforts towards achieving priorities. By setting specific and measurable goals, you can avoid distractions and stay on track towards your desired outcome.
- Clarity: Setting goals helps you clarify what you truly want to achieve and identify any obstacles or challenges that may arise along the way. This can help you make more informed decisions and take more effective actions towards reaching your goals.
- Growth: Goals can push you outside of your comfort zone and challenge you to develop new skills, habits, and behaviors that can contribute to personal growth and development. This can increase your self-confidence and sense of self-efficacy, which can have positive ripple effects across various aspects of your life.
- Accountability: When you set goals, as long as you hold yourself accountable for taking action towards achieving them, you make meaningful progress. This sense of responsibility matures you to take control of your life rather than simply reacting to external circumstances.
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Goals are Good for Your Mental Health
Setting and achieving goals can have a profound impact on our mental health. It allows us to engage in a process of self-discovery and growth. When we set goals, we are essentially creating a roadmap for our future selves, which requires us to take a step back and reflect on our values, passions, and aspirations. This process of introspection can help us develop a stronger sense of identity and purpose, which are crucial for our mental well-being.
As we work towards our goals, we may encounter challenges and obstacles that require us to tap into our inner strength and resilience. This overcoming of adversity helps us develop a sense of mastery and self-efficacy, which are important factors in building self-confidence and self-esteem. Achieving our goals can also provide a sense of validation and recognition from others, which can further boost our self-esteem and sense of belonging.
Furthermore, the process of setting and achieving goals can be a deeply rewarding and fulfilling experience. As we make progress towards our goals, we may experience a sense of excitement, anticipation, and satisfaction, which can contribute to our overall sense of happiness and well-being. By pursuing our goals, we are also more likely to engage in activities that bring us joy and meaning, which can provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment in life.
How To Set and Keep Goals
Do you ever get super excited by a dream you want to achieve? You have the whole thing visualized in your mind. You can see the plot, the steps to get there, the final outcome. With this zest of inspiration, you begin immediately.
Then…time goes by. A few days, a week, a month. That original motivation and newfound energy wanes. Fear sets in about maybe not being able to achieve it or you suffer doubts about failure. You’ve arrived at Procrastination Station! Ugh, there is where you give up entirely on the dream and file it away in the, “Oh well, I tried, I’m just not capable,” mental drawer.
Ok, maybe this is just me! But if you can relate, beating procrastination or the urge to quit is a must. No one has ever achieved anything worthwhile with ease or without struggle, grit, and going through some hard work. So below are some great tips for sticking to your goals. If you hold yourself accountable and do this work, you will eventually reach your goal or learn that it wasn’t truly what you wanted (thus leading you onto the right path).
Sticking To Your Goals
- Define Your Goal: Start by defining a specific and measurable goal. Write it down and break it into smaller, achievable targets. Get as granular and detailed as you can. See it, smell it, live it in your mind’s eye. Make sure the goal is meaningful to you and aligns with your values and aspirations.
- Create an Action Plan: Create a detailed action plan with specific steps and deadlines. Identify potential obstacles and develop strategies to overcome them. Break down the tasks into smaller, manageable chunks, and prioritize them based on their importance. This will help you when you feel overwhelmed. Small tasks are easier than big ideals! James Clear, habits expert, says that an improvement of 1% a day can produce big long-term results.
- Develop a Support System: Find someone to hold you accountable and offer encouragement when you need it. Consider joining a support group (this can be online such as a Facebook group) or finding an accountability partner. Share your progress with others and celebrate your successes.
- Beat Procrastination: Identify the reasons for your procrastination and develop strategies to overcome them. Break down the tasks into smaller, more manageable steps. Use a timer or a pomodoro technique to work in short bursts. Eliminate distractions and create a dedicated workspace.
- Stick with Your Goals: Finally, stay committed to your goals by reviewing your progress regularly and adjusting your plan as needed. Stay motivated by visualizing your success and the benefits of achieving your goal. Reward yourself for your achievements along the way.
By following these steps, you can increase your chances of success and achieve your goals. Remember, living out your inner dreams is one of the most rewarding experiences of living. Your dream is worth your time! Dream it, plan it, do it. Share your journey in the comments and let me know if you can relate to anything in this post!