In order for a goal to really be effective it must be specific, measurable, and achievable. Without these key attributes goals will be harder to tackle and less likely to be accomplished. According to Dr. Frank Smoll in his article Keys to Effective Goal Setting as published in Psychology Today, not all goals are equal.
Setting and keeping goals is an important part of leading a well-balanced life. According to Achievement Guru Celestine Chua, founder of personalexcellence.com, goal setting is one of the first and most important steps for creating a balanced life. Setting a goal is a crucial step in directing your life because it gives you both a starting place and a finish line.
- Purpose: Setting a goal is like charting a destination on a map. It tells you where you need to go and helps you see what you need to do to get there. This can imbue you with purpose and make it that much easier to spend your time wisely.
- Direction: Setting a good goal, by definition, involves looking into your own future. No, you will not suddenly become able to see the future, but it causes you to think about where you want your life to go and how you want to spend your time. By setting a goal you are making a statement about what your life will look like in the future.
- Focus: Goals make it easier to allocate how you spend your time. If you meander through life with no purpose or vision for the future, it is not always obvious how you should be spending your time. However, with a good goal you can direct yourself in a productive manner.
Setting goals is only one half of the equation. Keeping the goals you set, the good goals, is almost more important than setting them in the first place. Following through with a goal is what gives the decision meaning. If you set the goal to run a marathon, but never bother to train or sign up, did it mean anything?
Following through with goals is what translates them from abstract thoughts or empty words and makes them into real life changes and accomplishments. Setting the goal is important because it gives you a path. But, keeping the goal is what gets you to the destination and what makes the path meaningful.
Our team at Infinity is always ready to work with youth or adults in goal-setting for a successful future. Click here if you’re interested in learning more.
