Goals

Over the past few weeks I have been thinking about goals and how I use them every day. I was wondering why are they important and what would life be like without goals....then I remembered as I explored my values that it is so much more worthwhile being a goal setter:

I have been a student of success for as long as I can remember.
For decades I have asked the question, "What makes one person
succeed and another person struggle?" Even in my childhood I was
a virtual sponge. I noticed the words, behaviors, and patterns of
the people around me and the results they manifested.

I have committed to a lifelong study of success, to learn what
works and what doesn't work so that I might duplicate positive
thoughts and habits in my own life and share those lessons and
observations with others. It pays to study success. It also pays
to study failure (your own and other's) to avoid unnecessary
mistakes and the pain they bring. Mistakes and missteps are
inevitable, and failure often provide as much benefit as success
as long as you are paying attention.

Most high achievers I have studied took 100% responsibility for
their life and made a concerted effort to learn the art of goal
setting. Most goal achievers invest their own time, energy and
financial resources. Many have joined clubs, communities,
organizations and hired a coach or mentor to further instill the
mastery of this crucial life skill.

There are literally hundreds of ways goal setting benefits your
life. I have identified the top ten to serve as a reminder the
many ways you can gain more control over your life and why it is
crucial that you do whatever it takes to learn and master the art
of goal setting.

The 10 Biggest Benefits of Goal Setting

1. Greater Peace of Mind. There is nothing in the world like
going to bed at night knowing you are investing the days of your
life in the areas of your chosen endeavor. Nothing brings you
greater peace of mind than having the certainty that you are
consciously creating your destiny, living a life of your own
design. Goal getters realize that you create your life goal by
goal. If you want a better life, set better goals.

2. Clarity of Purpose. Having carefully chosen goals gives your
life greater meaning. Show me a person who doesn't know their
passion or purpose in life and I will show you a person who
either has no goals or pursues goals with no personal challenge
or meaning. People who actively and systematically pursue
meaningful goals feel a greater sense of purpose and fulfillment
in life. What you are doing right now is either taking you way
from or towards your dreams. Goals help us navigate throughout
our journey. Our goals are a reflection of who we are.

3. Greater Productivity and Focus. People with goals direct
their day, instead of their day directing them. People with goals
know their desired outcome and are less likely to waste time on
unimportant matters. When you know your outcome, you avoid
distraction. You understand the people and pursuits that feed
your desires and those that do not. You know where to invest your
time and energy. You also learn where NOT to spend your time.

4. Greater Personal Growth. Each time you pursue a new goal
outside your comfort zone, you contribute to your own personal
growth and advancement. Pursuing goals causes you to stretch and
learn about yourself and the world around you. What was once
difficult often becomes easier and you long to conquer new
heights. Nothing in the world will give you a zest for life like
consistent growth.

5. Higher Quality of Life. Quite simply, people who have goals
get more out of life. The more life you give to your goals, the
more your goals give life to you. Having goals means you value
your time and make the most of it. When you know what you want
and have a plan to get there, the journey is a lot more fun than
having no goals and no plans. Having goals makes life easier.
People who set goals are happier and more fulfilled. When you are
happy and fulfilled you take loving care of yourself and have
more of yourself to give to the people you love. Happy, fulfilled
people attract other happy and fulfilled people.

6. You Attract a Higher Quality Peer Group. People who have
goals and are moving towards them are energized and full of life.
When you have goals for your life, you attract other people who
have goals of their own. And we are well aware of the power of
association. You become like the people you hang around.

7. Increased Confidence and Self Esteem. Each time you make a
commitment to a goal and invest the very best of yourself towards
it's attainment, you gain more confidence and self esteem,
regardless of whether or not you achieve the goal. Your
subconscious mind knows that you gave your all and that
strengthens your confidence muscle. Progressive action always
leads to growth and greater fulfillment. People that do not set
goals never venture outside of their comfort zone. Deep down they
know they are not realizing their potential and feel bad about
themselves. People with goals are fully alive and dare to take
risks that elevate their place in life. Whether they win or lose,
they learn and grow.

8. Contribution to Others. Whether or not you know it, someone
looks up to you. If you have children of your own, they are like
little sponges, absorbing the words you speak and the actions you
take. Your behaviors serve as model to the people around you.
Maybe it's your sibling, a coworker or even a kid down the
street, someone looks up to you. Every time you set a goal and
act on it, you serve as a shining example of a person who is
moving towards realizing your full potential in life. Whenever
you pursue a goal, you inspire others to do the same.

9. Goals Help You Become a Better Person. Don't set goals for
what you can get. Set goals for what they will make of you. Set
goals for who you become along the way. People who set goals and
follow through, develop the skill of overcoming obstacles. People
who follow through on their goals and commitments develop an
inner strength and unshakable character. People who do NOT set
goals never discover how great they can become. They never awaken
their dormant gifts and talents. Whenever you set and commit to a
goal and follow through on your commitment, you strengthen your
character and personal integrity.

And finally what is perhaps the biggest benefit of setting and
pursuing goals...

10. For the benefit each individual goal will bring to your
life. As you begin to master the art of goal setting, every goal
you set brings it's own unique positive result or benefit to your
life. When I work with private coaching clients, before they set
a goal, I ask them to determine 10 deeply compelling, personal
reasons why they must achieve the goal they are considering
setting. When you do this, you give yourself all the clarity and
motivation you need to fuel you beyond obstacles, all the way
through to the goal's completion. If you cannot identify the
benefits in advance, you probably would not bother setting the
goal the first place. You can visualize your outcome by reveling
in the results before they occur.

So if you have not given yourself the gift of learning the art
of goal setting, perhaps it's time.

If not now, when?

Once you master the art of setting and achieving a goal, you can
have anything you want in life... anything.