5 reasons goals are important & 5 things that may (probably) happen without them.
When it comes to most areas of life, people tend to float around and embrace the idea of whatever happens, happens. But here are five reasons why setting goals is important, no matter what you’re talking about, whether it’s work, play, or even relationships.
1. Goals keep you focused. Imagine a ship setting sail without a destination in mind—as it traveled wherever the winds take it, supplies would eventually run out, and the crew would probably have to resort to cannibalism to survive.
- Okay, so maybe a lack of goal setting won’t yield such dire results, but you certainly won’t get anywhere specific if you don’t have a plan. Whether you’re talking about work, hobbies, or relationships, setting a goal will keep you moving towards success and fulfillment, without veering off course.
2. Goals help you plan of action. When you know how much you’ve accomplished, you can understand how much you need to achieve and pace yourself accordingly.
- For example, if you set a goal for yourself to save up a million dollars for retirement, you believe you’re two decades away from retiring, and have only saved up $500,000, you know you need to save around $2,100 per month.
3. Goals get you motivated. Without a goal in mind, you can always say it will happen tomorrow—whatever it is. Of course, once tomorrow arrives, there will be a tomorrow after that, and so on.
- Setting a goal with a timetable will force you into some accountability for your actions and force you to get up off the proverbial couch.
4. Goals help you actualize your potential. Each one of us has incredible talents and abilities latently existing within, but very few people actually leverage those talents into something useful.
- Setting goals and working towards them is a great way to put your skills to work, while developing and sharpening your natural talents.
5. Goals keep you committed. One of the biggest deterrents to success is that people just give up along the road. If you set a goal for yourself and stick to it, you can block out unhelpful distractions and resist falling into depression or self-pity when things don’t quite go your way.
- You know there’s an awesome view at the top of the mountain, and you’re committed to seeing it, no matter how arduous the climb. But if you decide goal setting isn’t for you, or perhaps, you don’t need to bother, let’s examine the other path.
5 Things that Will Happen Without Goal Setting
When it comes to setting goals, you may wonder why it’s necessary. But here are just a few of the dire consequences that can come about from not picking a destination and reaching to get there.
1. You’ll get lost. If you were a pirate looking for treasure, you won’t just start digging around willy-nilly for treasure. You’d probably get an ancient map with an x that marks the spot. The same is true for setting goals—if you don’t set goals, you’ll wander around aimlessly in every area of life, blowing around where the wind takes you—and sometimes that place is not so good.
2. You’ll miss opportunities. When it comes to work and even life in general, people only seek out assistance from those who are motivated and moving somewhere. If you don’t set goals and complacently just “roll with it” all the time—whether professionally or personally—you’ll miss promotions, pay raises, and invitations you’d otherwise get if you had some goals you were working towards, such as finding a better job or dating that special someone.
3. You’ll lose the power of attraction. It’s a hotly debated topic, but many people swear there’s something intangibly true about how the way we think and feel affects the world around us. Think good, and it will be good, an adage goes. With goals, success will come your way. Without goals, you’re not able to be sure what’s headed your direction.
4. You’ll feel empty inside. Steven Hawking, one of the greatest scientific minds in modern times, left behind many thoughts about the universe, but one that was applicable even to those who aren’t physicists was to find meaningful work. Goals give you a reason to get up in the morning and embrace the awesome gift that is life. Without goals, you might as well just roll over and go back to sleep—all day.
5. You won’t feel as good as you can about yourself. Sometimes people get plagued by doubts about themselves. It’s natural and human to wonder if we really are worth our place in the world. Of course, the answer is that every person has a unique piece in the puzzle, otherwise they wouldn’t be here. But to tap into that sense of self-worth, you need to set some goals and get working. You’ll feel great when you achieve them, and purposeful as you work towards them.
FROM SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEUR, ALEX GENADINIK
- 4 Hours
- Step-by-Step
- 20 Modules
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A complete 20-module, 108-video training course designed to accelerate the start-up of your new business idea.
Alex will take you by the hand and guide you, step-by-step, beginning with the idea phase. The course doesn’t end until you have a complete business ready to launch.
