Why is goal setting important?
How clarity on your goals can help create the life of your dreams
“A map is useless without a destination.” This is one of my favourite sayings, something that I refer back to time after time again with my coaching clients. In one short sentence, it answers the big question of why is goal setting important.
Imagine getting into the car, bundling your entire family along for the ride. You know that you’re ready for an adventure but… you have absolutely no idea what you want that adventure to look like. Let alone where you want it to take place.
This is exactly why goal setting is so important.
You could be looking for the beach, craving a winding road up into the mountains… or perhaps you don’t even want to be in the car at all. Maybe what you really want is a day on a boat, with an adventure out at sea.
But with no end destination - no goal - you have no way of knowing this. You have no way to navigate. You could be heading in completely the wrong direction. Without even realising.
The exact same thing can happen in life, when you have no goals to guide you on your way.
Why goals are important
Our time is precious. It took me a long time to realise that this is why we need to be intentional in how we use it.
A few years ago, you’d find me running from place to place without a second thought as to where I was going or why I was doing it. I was juggling a career, a business, family time and a personal life.
But it wasn’t balanced.
I wasn’t intentional in how I was using my time. We need goals so that we don’t waste our precious time. It’s the only resource we can’t get back.
A life without goals can feel aimless, as though we’re spending our days cruising the highway with no end in sight.
Goals give us a destination, a sense of direction. And they give us satisfaction when, finally, we get there.
What is a goal?
A goal is simply an outcome or result that you want to achieve.
There are many different types of goals. Most of us have heard of SMART goals. These are goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-Bound. The idea is that, by following the framework, you’re able to set more meaningful goals.
But you don’t have to follow the SMART goals approach.
You could start by identifying a feeling that you want to create and work backwards from there. Sometimes it can be easier to work out how we want our lives to feel, before identifying how we want them to look.
What is goal setting?
Goal setting is the process of creating or choosing your goals. The goal setting process differs for everyone, with some people preferring to follow a set framework and others opting for a more intuitive approach.
The best way to set your goals is to start with your values. What essential ingredients make you so unique? What will help you create a life that feels like your own? Once you’re clear on your values, you can use these as the foundation for each of your goals.
What’s your goal chasing personality?
Take the 2-minute quiz to get your unique roadmap to goal setting success!
The benefits of goal setting
There are three phases to creating a life that feels like your own - clarity, focus and action.
Goal setting is what gives you clarity, as you identify what you truly want in life. This gives you a direction to follow, a true north for your compass as you navigate the journey of life. Finding that sense of purpose is the key to flourishing and creating a life that makes you happy.
Often, we’re tempted to set goals for just one area of our lives (typically work or fitness). But I recommend taking a holistic approach. When you look at your life as a whole, you’re able to build something that’s truly balanced.
Your entire life should feel in alignment.
1. Create a life you love
Setting goals increases your chances of creating a life you love, that fully feels authentic to you.
2. Be a high achiever
People who set specific and challenging goals have been proven to achieve more in life.
When you’re clear on your goals, you’re able to check-in with your daily actions to ensure that they’re moving you in the right direction. No energy is wasted and you achieve more with your time.
3. Live with purpose
When you set goals, you’re able to live with intention. You become conscious of how you’re spending your time, moving purposefully towards a particular feeling or outcome.
4. Align with your values
Your life feels more aligned with your values, as you use them to set goals to bring those values to life.
5. Increase your confidence
The more you set goals, the more you see those goals come to life. And along the way, you discover just how much you’re actually capable of achieving. Just watch your confidence soar!
6. Step out of your comfort zone
It’s a lot easier to step out of your comfort zone and push your boundaries when you know why you’re doing it.
Goal setting enables you to understand why experiencing short-term discomfort can be important. You start to see the link between your personal development and your satisfaction with life.
7. Get the most out of your life
This is probably my favourite benefit of goal setting. Simply knowing that you’re doing everything you can to empower yourself and get the most out of the gift of life!
Now that you know why goal setting is important, how will you use your goals to create the life of your dreams?
What’s holding you back from achieving your wildest dreams?
Discover your goal-chasing personality. Get your personalised path to clarity, focus and action.
It starts today with the 2-minute quiz.
Keep up with the latest posts, news & special offers.
Secure. Private. No Spam - By providing your information, you agree to our Privacy Policy and understand that you can unsubscribe at any time.