What is goal planning?
We live in a period of great change. Every aspect of our lives is changing, the way we work, that way we learn, socialize and shop. Generally, people fear change, particularly if they do not feel in control. People often hang on to old ways, not realizing what they have to gain in the future. Ongoing change is a certainty and is actually vital for our own personal and professional growth. Goals are an important component to achieving success and serve as a guide to keep you on course when times get tough. Learning how to set goals allows you to be in the driver’s seat. Goal planning also provide benefits in areas like motivation, direction and the attainment of rapid results.
The top 5 compelling reasons and benefits:
1.Goals keep you focused. When you establish a goal, you should create an action plan or map to accomplish that goal. This can help you achieve a task more quickly, as there can be less of a tendency to veer off course. You will waste less time on insignificant or unproductive actions and take a more direct route to the accomplishment of the goal. Having deadlines to meet each week will help keep you focused and on-track. When you successfully reach each goal or action step, reward yourself! Goal planning after all is a positive process.
2.Goals can limit stress. Without goals to guide you, you may develop a tendency to jump from one project or task to another instead of focusing on the most important aspects of your life. As a result, you may realize that your overall productivity is suffering. You may become bored, stagnate and this in turn creates a sense of worry. Setting a goal removes doubt and worry, establishes clarity and promotes a sense of accomplishment.
3.Goals are dreams with legs. This is such a great statement. If you have a dream, give it legs through goal planning. With your dreams, write them down now and give it a time frame. If you do not set a date for achievement, the goal/dream may never be reached. Along the way, you have to adjust your sails to the winds of change. This means you may need to review the goal, check progress and make amendments as needed.
4.Goals give you purpose. Think of goal setting as riding a bike. There is always forward movement. You may come across a few rocks and potholes, however if you have a strong sense of purpose and compelling goals, momentum helps you overcome these obstacles. If you have no purpose or goals and nothing special to get up for beyond earning a living, your bike remains stationary, and possibly with a flat tyre.
5.Goals are positive. Compelling goals places you firmly in control of your future. Since your goals are born from your own desires, you will feel more positive that you are working toward what you want. They help keep your dream real in your mind’s eye. As you work towards achieving your goals and you see results, a cyclical positive chain reaction takes place. Our brains are wired in this way. Another important aspect is to make your goals purely personal. You are the only person who can choose and set your goals. Keep that goal balanced and stated in a positive way.
Not convinced?
Goal setting is a natural function of the brain. Every decision is in effect a goal, which triggers a subconscious process that transforms the decision into an action and onto a result. Goal planning and setting uses traditional techniques that focus on left-brain words and endless repetition. Goal Mapping, invented by Brian Mayne, uses words and imagery, the language of the subconscious and the whole brain. For more information, check out Brian Mayne Goal Mapping. I swear by it! I was trained in the concept and application of Goal Mapping, and I have worked with clients to develop their own Goal Map. Connect with me for more information.