Writing down your goals makes you more likely to achieve them.
It’s not just pop science. It’s true.
A study by Psychology Professor Dr. Gail Matthews looked at the impact of writing down goals and providing weekly progress. The result? Seventy-six percent of participants achieved their goals.
That’s a staggering statistic, especially when you think about the breadth of impact those goals can have on your life.
There’s an important factor to consider about the study: the participants were providing progress updates.
In this post, you’ll learn why setting goals—and writing them down—is important. You’ll also gain access to the tools and resources you need to follow through, including how to overcome the resistance you might feel in doing so.
Why is goal setting an important practice?
You might be wondering why goal setting matters at all. After all, you make those New Year’s resolutions every year and nothing really comes of it. You might have dreams tucked in the back corner of your brain, but they feel distant and untouchable. You’ve even shared some of your goals with family and friends, and perhaps it was met with hesitation or dismissiveness.
Well, there are 5 good reasons why goal setting is critical to your personal and professional development. Here’s why:
- It provides direction and focus. Goals help you define a clear path and purpose, giving you something specific to aim for. This direction helps to focus your energy and efforts on what truly matters, avoiding distractions and unnecessary tasks.
- Goal setting can serve as motivation and inspiration. Having a target to strive for can inspire you to take action, push through challenges, and maintain persistence even when things get tough. It gives you a reason to keep moving forward.
- A goal setting practice can make you a better decision maker. Let’s say your goal is to increase your newsletter readership by 5%. Now, let’s say you’re approached with a project that doesn’t ladder up to this goal. Your boss and your leadership team have made it known that the newsletter is a priority. So, what do you do?
Easy. With clear goals in mind, it's easier to make decisions. Knowing what you want to achieve helps you evaluate options and choose those that align with your objectives, ensuring your actions are purposeful and strategic.
- Setting goals inherently facilitates personal and professional growth. Goals encourage you to step out of your comfort zone, take on new challenges, and learn new skills. This continuous pursuit of goals fosters growth, development, and self-improvement over time.
- Goal setting builds self-discipline, accountability, confidence, and a sense of purpose. Setting (and meeting) your goals has a ripple effect across your personal and professional worlds. Think: better accountability, increased commitment and discipline, a boost in self-esteem, and a sense of direction.
A 4-step guide to setting goals on a timeline
If you’re ready to start making your goals a reality, it’s time to arm yourself with the right resources to do so.
1. Get the right resources in place to set a timeline
A good place to start is a planner, which you’ll find is an easy way to write down your goals. The best way to set your goals to a timeline is to physically map it out with a goal planner.
2. Assemble your accountability team
Any good goal has an even better cheering section behind it. So, that means you need to assemble the right people behind you to help make it happen.
For example, let’s say you have a goal of writing a novel. Do you have friends who can ask for weekly updates? Or perhaps you’re in a writing group where you report out word count metrics for the day? Whatever it is, make sure you surround yourself with the right people who will keep you motivated and resilient, especially when the going gets tough.
3. Measure (and report out) on your progress
This is an important step. Even if you’ve fallen short on your progress or didn’t make a goal, measure your progress.
Any progress is progress. Any step closer is closer than where you were yesterday. Be kind to yourself when you’re measuring your goal setting. You’re likely doing better than you think.
4. Be flexible and course correct when you need to
Of course, life gets in the way<link to forthcoming blog>. Roadblocks can pop up unexpectedly, and things can change.
That’s OK.
Keep your mindset open to growth and change, especially if you need to adjust your goal—or your timeline.
3 ways to overcome the resistance you feel
Overcoming resistance to goal setting can be challenging, but there are effective strategies to help you move past this resistance and embrace the process. Here are three ways to get over resistance to goal setting:
1. Start small
-
Why it works: Resistance often arises from feeling overwhelmed by the magnitude or complexity of goals. Starting with smaller, more achievable goals can make the process less intimidating and more approachable.
-
How to do it: Break larger goals into smaller, more manageable steps. Focus on setting "micro-goals" that can be accomplished in a short period of time, like daily or weekly objectives. These smaller achievements build momentum and confidence, making it easier to tackle bigger goals over time.
2. Connect your goals to your own personal values and passions
-
Why it works: If you don’t have a personal investment in your goals, it’s only natural that resistance will crop up. When goals are aligned with what you truly care about, you're more motivated to pursue them.
-
How to do it: Reflect on what matters most to you—your core values, passions, and long-term vision for your life. Set goals that resonate with these values and align with your passions. For example, if you value health and well-being, set a goal related to fitness or nutrition. When goals are meaningful, the resistance to setting and working towards them diminishes.
3. Practice visualization
-
Why it works: Sometimes resistance comes from a lack of clarity about the positive outcomes of goal achievement. Visualizing success and the benefits that come with it can increase motivation and reduce resistance.
-
How to do it: Take time to imagine what life will be like when you achieve your goals. Picture the specific benefits, such as improved health, financial stability, career advancement, or personal satisfaction. Write down these benefits and revisit them regularly to remind yourself why the effort is worthwhile. Visualization can create a positive emotional connection to your goals, making you more inclined to set and pursue them.
No matter where you are in your goal setting journey, putting pen to paper and mapping out your goals on a timeline will help. Best of luck to all of you go getters out there. We can’t wait to see you (and your goals) shine!
Written by Madeline Miles
