By: Martin Grunburg
Incredibly, even today, many people question the value of goal-setting. For your enjoyment, I’ll share a few articles at the end of this post. I say “enjoyment” because once you read/understand these articles through the prism of habit and with an understanding of The Habit Factor methodology, their concerns about the negative side-effects of goals disappear.
I also say “enjoyment” because these articles either miss the solution entirely (which is HABIT), or pit habit against goals as though it’s an either/or proposition.
So, here are five distinct reasons you MUST set goals — and do it the right way! (PARR Video)
1) You Will Change for the Better
“The real reason for setting a goal is not for the goal itself but for the person you must become in order to achieve the goal.” ~Jim Rohn
Goals, as Jim Rohn points out, help to forge your character and test your will along the way. Think about it: If I set the goal of achieving an Ironman triathlon, I’m going to be a very different person, physically, emotionally and even spiritually once I complete the event.
Here’s the best part: Even if for some reason I don’t complete the goal itself, since I set the goal and developed the supportive habits along the way, I would still become a very different person.
2) You’ll Be Far Happier
Don’t take it from me, though; take it from one of the smartest men of all time. Albert Einstein once said, “If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things.”
There is very little we can control. However, we can control our thoughts and behaviors (actions). As AE explains, tying your happiness to another person or a thing can be very fleeting. When you set a goal, you are directing and creating your future in advance (something Tony Robbins likes to say).
3) You Will Boost Self-Esteem & Self-Efficacy
We’ve said it here a half-dozen times at least: Goal setting (especially when following The Habit Factor method) reinforces self-efficacy — which is the ability to create a desired result.
Once you set the goal, identify 2-3 supportive habits, and begin to track the habits using the P.A.R.R. methodology, you immediately have the uplifting sense of self-efficacy.
When I say I will track my reading for 3 days this week (20 minutes each time), and when I perform the action and track it — even if I miss a day — I begin to feel a greater sense of self-esteem.
**BTW: This is one of the reasons a key premise of PARR is to set the bar low initially, to help gain early, positive momentum.
4) You Accept 100% Responsibility for Your Life
When you set a goal, you declare to yourself (and perhaps anyone else who’s observing): “I’m responsible for the results and experiences I produce in my life.” Responsibility is a core foundation for happiness and success.
Consider the opposite: Not taking responsibility. If I set no goals for my life, then I’m drifting, aimless, and it’s very easy to blame “the world” or bad luck for my troubles. Prolonged drifting more often than not leads to dissatisfaction, unhappiness and even poor health.
5) You Set Out on a Path to Discover and Develop Your Unique Talents and Abilities
The simple act of goal-setting helps you to identify your ambitions, desires and talents. Goal-setting helps to expose the real you to yourself ; ). Challenge yourself by asking tough questions such as, “If I were to die tomorrow, what experience or achievement would I most regret not having?”
The ultimate litmus test, if you doubt any of this, is to ask, “Have my heroes (the people I admire and respect) set goals for themselves?” Chances are very good (like 100%) that they did!
When you consider all these benefits and how they fit together to create a great life, it’s hard to imagine not setting goals.
Word of Warning:
If it’s a “someday,” “it’d be nice but,” “wouldn’t it be great,” or “I’d love to,” chances are very good it isn’t a “must” — a commitment. Desire is the one ingredient ONLY YOU can bring to the table. Without the “burning desire,” as Napoleon Hill likes to say, chances are good you’ll quit when the going gets tough. And you can bet it will get tough.
Closing comments:
Oh the irony… the cited Psychology Today article below ends with…
“Finally, I’ve found that addressing the issue of habit formation is a good alternative to goal setting. First, identifying the bad habits that hold you back, and second, developing good habits to replace them.”
How scary is that?
And herein lies another fantastic example of exactly why The Habit Factor is the most effective and efficient goal-setting methodology that exists. It really isn’t about an “alternative” to goal-setting.
Identify the goal and the supportive, core-related habits that will accelerate your goal’s achievement.
Now it’s your turn. Give it a try: “What one achievement/experience would you most regret not having had/experienced?
The answer almost always comes immediately. If not, dwell on it for 24 hours or as long as it takes. Then, SET THAT GOAL!
See you next week!
~mg
Articles about the “downside” of goal-setting. Note: How they all lead you right back to The Habit Factor. ; ) Enjoy!
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/wired-success/201409/why-setting-goals-can-do-more-harm-good
habits as alternative to goals?
https://hbr.org/2012/12/consider-not-setting-goals-in.html
(focus on tasks instead of outcomes) (core, recurring behaviors, HABITS!)