Why Set Goals?
7 Reasons!

Mirjam Stoffels

Y ou hear a lot about the importance of setting goals. If you enjoy reading about success and accomplishment as much as I do, you’ll find a common thread among successful people is that they all set goals [without exception].

And they all work extremely hard to make them a reality!

Many people feel as if they’re adrift in the world. They work hard, but they don’t seem to get anywhere worthwhile. A key reason that they feel this way is that they haven’t spent enough time thinking about what they want from life. They haven’t set themselves formal goals.

Would you go out on a major journey with no real idea of your destination? Probably not!

Goal setting is a powerful process for thinking about your ideal future. For motivating yourself to turn your vision of this future into reality. Setting goals is what puts your life into real action mode. Setting goals allows you to choose how you want to move through life. By knowing exactly what you want to achieve, you know where you have to concentrate your efforts. You’ll also quickly spot the distractions that can, so easily, lead you astray.

Goal setting is used by top-level athletes, successful business-people and achievers in all fields. But why set goals in the first place? We give you seven good reasons!

 
#1
Big goals give you long-term vision
The process of goal setting makes you think about the ‘big picture’. Things you hope to attain 10, 15 or 20 years from now.You ask yourself some important questions about what you want for your life. The answers to this question can be as general as ‘I want to be happy’ or ‘I want to help people’ or ‘I want to be fit’. These general statements can help sort out the things that really matter to you. You will recognize the things you value. Goals tell you what you truly want!

 
#2
Your goals give you short-term motivation
Motivation depends in large part upon goal setting. As long as you see yourself moving towards meaningful goals, chances are high that you will maintain a high level of motivation. In essence, goal setting provides you with a sense of purpose and direction. An important step toward staying motivated and toward improving and optimizing performance.

 
#3
Your goals give you focus
Setting goals allows you to choose how you want to move through life. You’ll identify the things you value and this will give you focus on your decision-making. We see our goals as an event that can be achieved and completed. But if you look at the people who are achieving their goals, you start to realize that it’s not the events or the results that make them different. It’s their commitment to the process. This focus on the process is what will allow you to enjoy the results anyway. You have to fall in love with the process and that will keep you focused on the end goal and stay on course.

 
#4
Goals help you organize
Time. Our most valuable asset. Just like money you can invest it, spend it or waste it. Your goals will help you to organize your time so that you can make the very most of it and not just letting it drift away. The specific actions that you choose to take each hour, each day, each week, throughout each year, define your life. Your moment-to-moment choices accumulate to determine whether you succeed in achieving your goals. Continually ask yourself ‘What is the best use of my time right now?’

 
#5
You can measure achievements
To achieve your ‘big picture’ you break it down into smaller and more specific goals. Kaizen your life: take a lot of small steps that eventually lead up to the larger, long-term goal. These smaller steps make your achievements measurable. Take the time to assess where you are in your larger target goal. And celebrate reaching each milestone!

 
#6
You can take pride in your achievements! [click to tweet]
Setting and meeting goals leads to feelings of satisfaction and accomplishment. Rosemarie Rosetti said it right: ‘It is important that you recognize your progress and take pride in your accomplishments. Share your achievements with others. Brag a little. The recognition and support of those around you is nurturing.’

 
#7
You grow self-confidence
When you’ve achieved a goal, take the time to enjoy the satisfaction of having done so. Absorb the implications of the goal achievement, and observe the progress that you’ve made towards other goals. If the goal was a significant one, reward yourself appropriately. All of this helps you build the self-confidence you deserve. There is no greater joy in life than to realize a goal and nothing builds confidence faster!

 
Ok, so this wasn’t the first time you’ve heard someone talk about the importance of goals, and its definitely not going to be the last. But clichés aside, understanding the importance of goal setting and knowing how to set goals for yourself is crucial to accomplishing great things in your life.

So join us next week to learn how to set goals!

 
Sharing is caring!
The floor is yours!
Is setting goals one of your success habits?
What is your biggest goal, your dream?
Please do leave a comment below!
Thank you.

Mirjam Stoffels

Founder of seven2success, guest blogger at TEDx, Project Eve and 365 dagen succesvol. In my mission to make seven2success the biggest platform of knowledge and inspiration for women, by women, I want to inspire you with our content! Check us out on Facebook and Twitter! I’d love to connect! 
And do you want to inspire other women? Write for us!

 
Do you want to stay in the know?
Join the seven2success community!

Name

Email

Like this article? Share it with your friends! You can use the buttons below.
Because ‘There is no social without sharing!’