Really want success? Start by Setting a Goal

For anyone who has aspirations or dreams of achieving something, setting goals is extremely important. It’s a fact that nearly everyone wants to achieve something worthwhile. Without having any goals, it would be difficult to know when any of your endeavors have been successful. Can you imagine what your life would be like without any worthwhile goals? Do you have that feeling of contentment with all your endeavors?

Regardless of what type of personality you are, you most likely have goals. You have a target as to what you want to achieve and how you will obtain it. No matter what your goal is, whether it’s a financial goal, your career, relationships, health or even your involvement with a community project, it requires a series of processes to get them fulfilled.

    “Without goals, and plans to reach them, you are like a ship that has set sail with no destination.” ~ Fitzhugh Dodson 

Why goal setting is important?

Have you ever starred at your keyboard and had no idea of what you wanted to write? Maybe you got in your car and had no idea of where to go? Or perhaps you picked up your phone with no idea of who to call. Those are just a few examples of what it’s like to work on something without knowing where you’re going or how to get there.

Setting goals for yourself is necessary so you can reap the valuable rewards from all your efforts. If you truly desire to attain anything, a goal setting strategy is necessary. When you set goals, it serves as a road map of how to get where you want to be, as well as the reasons why you need to get there. When setting your goals, they need to be achievable and definite. The great challenge lies in how you will climb your way to achieving your goal.

By setting a goal, you can use it as a tool to measure your progress and see how well you’re advancing. If you see that progress is being made, you will have a sense of achievement and know that your strategy of setting goals is working well for you.

Goals will inspire and motivate

Having goals is an inspiration. Whenever you set a goal, you will be much more motivated to achieve it. Goals will move you towards realizing your dream. Being too general with your goals can be a mistake as they can mislead you on what you need to focus on first. On the other hand, having a precise, well thought out goal is much easier to attain because the direction you’ll need to take is much clearer and more understandable.

When you set your goals, they should be prioritized in order of how important each of them are. For most people, there are various levels of goals and what matters most, is making certain that it’s what you want and that you have the drive and determination to reach that goal.

Your goals should always be written down but more importantly, you should believe in it with all your heart. Achieving a goal takes a great deal of focus so be sure that your goal is clear and specific and it’s exactly what you desire.

You should never be satisfied with the bare minimum achievement of your goal. That can lead you to say that you’ve already attained your goal. What you really want to do is strive for the highest level of achievement of your goal. The more you push yourself, the better you become.

Achieving goals does require a positive attitude and outlook. Once you have a specific goal in mind, you must do all you can to stay with it. We all run into obstacles along the way but we find ways to overcome them. Don’t give up on your dream when you hit the first obstacle. Find a way around it, over it or through it.

The mind is a very powerful force and when you add your willingness and determination, the achievement of any goal is possible. If you want success, start by setting a goal!

Have you set any goals for yourself? Do you feel goal setting is an important step towards success?

By Robert Barry.