“The world makes way for a person who knows where they are going.”
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Nobody ever wanders into greatness. Successful people live with intention and purpose. They decide what is important and go after it. They are proactive.
Setting and moving toward a goal works in harmony with how we are built as humans. We are innately purpose-driven beings.
The first step to living on purpose is setting goals.
Here are 5 reasons you should set goals:
1. Goals Give Clarity.
It’s been said if you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time. When you set a clear goal, it is like putting a destination in your GPS. You decide exactly what your destination is. When you take the wrong road while using your GPS, it will steer you back in the right direction. Goals also let you know when you get off course so you can get back on track.
2. Goals Give Focus.
Light diffused is not very powerful, but light focused becomes a laser that can cut through steel. There is power in concentration. Being single-minded helps you accomplish things faster and with higher quality.
3. Goals Give Motivation.
Goals create a structural tension in the mind. Once you set a goal, your mind wants to close the gap from where you are to where you want to be. Right now I have a specific weight goal. I may not always make the right choice regarding exercise or eating, but that goal is always ‘top of mind’ and tempers my behavior.
4. Goals Give Feedback.
If your goal is specific, as it should be, it will give you feedback on your progress. If you have a goal to exercise 4 times a week and you are actually working out 2 times a week, that is pretty clear feedback. You know exactly where you stand in regard to your goal.
5. Goals Give Fulfillment.
We function best and are happiest when we are moving toward a goal. There is nothing more rewarding than deciding what is important in life and then using our time, talent and energy in pursuit of what’s important.
Research indicates that only 8% of people have clear goals and only 3% have them written down. Be the exception.
"Nothing can add more power to your life than concentrating all your energies on a limited set of targets." - Nido Qubein
I have created a very simple goal worksheet. It has three elements:
- What? A place to write the goal.
- Why? A place to list the reasons why you desire to achieve the goal.
- How? Action steps to take in order to achieve your goal.
Download it for free here.