This year, I have learned a considerable amount about the importance of writing goals. Writing goals is not the voodoo magic trick that people make it out to be, but there’s evidence that shows how well it works.
Let me rephrase that. While it works for most people, it may not be the perfect solution for everyone. In my experience, it has done wonders for my productivity. Writing my goals down has also improved my ability to plan for the future and achieve my goals.
You should try it for yourself, but don’t just take my word for it. Here are 6 reasons why I think goal writing actually makes your goals more achievable.
1. It will help you prioritize.
When you first start writing down your goals, the most important thing is to be specific. I’d suggest beginning by writing down quite a few things that you want to accomplish. After you have a few goals written down, narrow the list to your top 5 – 10 things you’d like to focus on. Specify the end results of those goals, the time frame for completion, and how you plan to achieve them.
2. It will make you feel accountable to yourself.
Most of the time, when you’re left to your own devices, completing a task may never even happen. This is the reason why there are so many channels of accountability within the workplace. In your personal life, it should work the same way. You can use your spouse, a friend, or an “accountability partner” to help keep you on track. Ultimately, the most important resource for getting your goals completed should be YOU. Writing things down will keep your goals on the forefront of your mind and will help you stay motivated.
3. It will help you decide on a course of action.
Writing goals down will also allow you to plan for your future and subsequently figure out the best way to get there. I think this is actually the reason why most people swear by goal writing. It’s not the act of writing down the goal that’s important, it’s the plan you set for achieving it.
4. It will let you track your progress.
Writing your goals down and reviewing them regularly will make you hold yourself accountable. A goal to save more money is great, but it’s too vague. Saving $1,000 is a better goal, but again, it’s not quite specific enough. Setting a goal to save $1,000 in a year, or 3 months is much better. When you have a set time frame, you can gauge your progress. When time is up, check to see if you’ve completed your goal.
Attaching a time limit to the goal puts pressure on getting it completed. I actually used this type of goal to save my first $1,000. I realized I wasn’t making any progress when I didn’t have a set time frame so I had to make a change. By doing so, I was able to see my progress and put more money aside to reach my goal on time.
5. It will make you do more.
I’ll be honest, I love creating checklists. I’ve gone as far as creating lists that actually included items that were already done. I know, I’m weird, but there is something mentally satisfying about checking off items on a list.
The same goes for your list of goals. Once you’ve completed the goals on your list, you’ll be more likely to add new items. Finally accomplishing the things that you’ve set out to do is a fulfilling experience. Once you’ve done it, you’ll want to do it again.
6. It will work.
Don’t just take my word for it, try it for yourself. I am a strong proponent of goal writing and do it often in my own life. It may not be the cure-all for getting things done, but it is an exceptional tool for expediting the process.
***
Are you already writing down your goals? If so, how has it worked out for you so far. If you aren’t, do you think you might give it a try anytime soon?
Let me know in the comments below!
– Thanks for reading
Jamison Vann 