The Importance of Setting Clear Goals: Think It, Write It, Achieve It

By Pamela Shenk, CHt

 

 

Happy and Healthy New Year! Just when you’ve finally caught your breath from the swirl of the last 12 months, the new year is here. This is the perfect time to work on your goals for the year ahead. Perhaps you have some unfinished goals from this year that you would like to complete next year. Or perhaps you want to scratch your remaining goals and start with a clean slate for next year. The good thing about goal setting is that your goals are uniquely yours. If you want to rearrange your goals or even change them completely, you are free to do that.

 

However, when writing out your goals, being clear and concise about what you want to achieve accounts for about 80% of success and happiness. People with clear written goals, accomplish far more in a shorter period of time than people without goals. This is true under all circumstances, according to Brian Tracey, the noted business author.

 

The more you write and revise your goals, the clearer they’ll become to you. If you are new to goal setting, you can make long or short term plans for one or all areas of your life. Goals should be written in the present tense, as though the year has passed and you already achieved them.

 

It is important, however, to write your goals with as much detail as possible. As you write your goals, use all of your senses to create a more vivid picture in your mind. Dreaming big is great, but set realistic goals. When you do this, it’s like making a mental road map. In the same way you might use a navigation device to get from one place to another, goal setting can guide you to exactly where you want to go. With clear directions, you can reach your destination in the shortest time.

 

To keep your goals fresh in your mind, review them daily. Keep it simple. Write down ten goals and when you review the list, note which one would have the most positive impact on your life. Once that is determined, make that goal your number one priority.

 

Do this and you’ll be amazed at the positive changes in your life.