Goals are the first step towards planning for the future. We set goals for our careers, health, and lives in general. Goal setting helps align our focus and motivates us to do more.

What is Goal Setting?

Goal setting is the process by which we achieve these goals. Goal setting often also includes planning, which breaks down larger goals into smaller pieces that can easily be scheduled and carried out.

Goals are useful for setting the direction. Meanwhile, systems are great for actually making the progress.

Simply put, we must decide what is beneficial to us in the area we want in our lives and set goals to achieve it.

Why are Setting Goals so Important?

1. Goals Define Your Priorities

Priorities are the key if you want to accomplish anything in life. You must set priorities for yourself so that you’re not distracted and wander around aimlessly.

Goals give you direction. Goals give you something to target for. With the value placed on each goal, it is easy to see its importance.

2. Goals Encourage You to Take Actions

Setting your goals and putting your plan in place encourages you to begin taking action towards achieving them. After all, a plan is completely worthless if you aren’t willing to invest the time and effort in those goals.

These goals give you something to plan and work towards. It also constantly serves as a reminder of your top priorities. Goal setting allows you to focus on taking small steps towards achieving these goals daily.

3. Improve Your Performance

Procrastination is something we all battle with from time to time. However, when you set specific goals you want to achieve in your life, it helps push you to move beyond procrastination.

Having goals helps you determine where you need to start, where you started, where you are now, and how much further you need to go.

When you set goals, you are giving yourself something to work for. To achieve your goals, you know what steps must be done to move forward, and eventually, your goal setting can serve as milestones and benchmarks that help you determine how well you’re progressing towards your goals.

4. Goals Help You to Stay on Track

Being able to stay on track with your progress toward achieving a goal is only possible if you set one in the first place.

When you break down big goals into smaller pieces, it’s easier to keep track of all the work you’ve done. Even if it means the progress moves inch by inch each day, this will help keep you motivated and stay on track towards the larger goal.

Set Goals Using S.M.A.R.T. Technique

A good way to create constructive goals is to use the S.M.A.R.T. technique.

S – Specific

M – Measurable

A – Achievable

R – Relevant

T – Trackable

Is your goal specific?

Your goal should not be vague. You need to clearly states what you want to achieve. Ask yourself the questions below to help access your goal.

• What do I want to achieve in life?
• Why is achieving the goal important?
• What limits are there to me attaining the goal?

Is your goal measurable?

You must have criteria for measuring your progress. If there are no criteria, you won’t be able to determine if you are on track with your goal. Ask yourself:

• How do I know if I reached my goal?
• What is my indicator of progress?

Is your goal achievable?

Setting a goal too high up will hurt you when you fail to achieve it. To avoid this, it is best to set goals that push your limits but are within the scope of your abilities.

Is your goal relevant?

Make sure your goal matters to what you want to achieve in life. It also has to align with other relevant goals that will support the larger goal.

Is your goal trackable?

Your goal must have a start and finish date. If the goal has no time setting, there will be no sense of urgency and less likely to have the motivation to achieve it.

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