Setting goals is one critical ingredient in personal development and achievement.
Whether in your career, education, health, or personal relationships, goals provide direction, motivation, and a sense of purpose.
The first thing that goals do for a person is they give him/her a map to his/her chosen result.
Defining exactly what one wants to achieve can create for oneself a clear path to act on.
This clarity further helps to organize tasks in order of priority and to spread resources accordingly, helping one not to lose focus amidst so much distraction and challenge.
Setting goals motivates and gives a sense of direction.
People tend to strive when they have a vivid picture of what they are to achieve, even in the face of hardship.
Goals will instill in them a sense of urgency and commitment, persuading them to take active steps to realize their dreams.
There are several principles to follow when goal setting effectively.
Probably the best-known framework is the SMART criteria: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
Specific goals clearly define what is to be achieved.
Measurable goals have criteria for tracking progress and judging success.
The achievement of achievable goals should be realistic and possible with available help and restrictions.
Relevant goals have to align with or support values, interests, and long-term objectives.
Finally, time-bound goals have a deadline or timeframe within which they must be achieved, which gives one a sense of urgency and accountability.
For example, a career-related goal might be to “increase sales by 20% within the next fiscal year.”
This goal is specific, as it explains what needs to be done: increase sales.
It’s measurable with 20%.
It’s attainable in that the company is in a position to do it.
It is relevant because it aligns with business objectives.
Lastly, it is time-bound–it will happen within a year.
Another strategy for keeping a focus has to do with breaking bigger goals down into many small, feasible tasks.
This would, in turn, make the goal less daunting and it also creates a feeling of satisfaction when a milestone is reached.
It allows them to track progress, notice potential hindrances, and make any adjustments that may help people to stay on the path.
Goals need to be flexible and changeable.
One’s life circumstances and priorities may determine a change that may contribute to revisiting the initial plan.
Embracing flexibility allows a person to shift focus to unexpected challenges or opportunities without losing the big-picture objectives.
Mentally, goal setting brings into play principles of motivation.
The very act of writing a goal activates the reward system in the brain.
When related progress is made or goals are achieved, a chemical in the brain, dopamine is released.
This movement thus offers positive reinforcement for further efforts and helps to entrench goal-directed behaviors.
Goal setting provides individuals an avenue to expand their self-awareness and foster personal growth.
It simply helps citizens reflect on their strengths, weaknesses, values, and aspirations.
Setting goals with areas for improvement and achieving them will make them become the best version of themselves.
Besides, the realization of such goals is attached to accountability.
Sharing them with trusted friends, mentors, or coaches can help in sourcing external drives and support.
An accountability partner can provide the needed encouragement, feedback, and constructive criticism that will help a person stay committed and responsible to set goals.
Consequently, goal setting is one of the effective practices that assist a person in doing various activities, such as defining dreams.