Why Goal Setting Really Works
Perhaps my favorite book in the self improvement genre from 2007 is Happier - a kind of manual for finding and creating more happiness in daily life. One of author Tal Ben-Shahar’s primary arguments is that goals are a major contributor to personal satisfaction and general happiness. Essentially, if you are consistently setting goals, achieving goals, and then setting even more goals, you will likely enjoy life more.
Goals give meaning to life. If you wake up in the morning and have things to do and people to see, then life will feel good and be good most of the time. Of course, the opposite is true. Life can be quite disappointing when it seems we have nothing to live for.
So how do you get started? First, you must know what you want.
While listening to a Brian Tracy audio program recently, I was struck by the following words - “You can’t hit a target you cannot see.” Tracy, one of the leading experts in the business motivation field, is absolutely right. If you don’t know where you’re headed, how will you ever get there?
Of course, if achieving a goal is important in the first place, you’re really half way there. As the Brian Tracy quote suggests, knowing what you want is a major component of goal setting that should be addressed very early in the process.
So start here. Figure out what it is you want and start moving towards it. Spend time today writing about your goals to clarify your thinking. You may be surprised. Often, when I complete these types of exercises, I find myself setting goals I hadn’t even considered beforehand.
And then an amazing thing will take place. As you begin to crystallize your goals in writing, you will create that “target” for your daily living. Your life will take on far more purpose than before and as Tal Ben-Shahar points out, you’ll start feeling happier and more fulfilled.
Ever wonder why men tend to die before women? Much of the evidence in lifespan and gerontology studies suggests that men often lose their sense of purpose in their retirement years. Men usually see work as a primary creative outlet. When the work ends, their purpose ends. And where there is no purpose, there is no life.
Women, on the other hand, find great joy and satisfaction in raising a family and caring for others. Playing the role of grandmother or family matriarch can bring a woman a lot of purpose and joy long after the clock-punching days are over.
If you’re looking for a great way to invigorate your life, set goals and start moving towards them every day.
About the Author
Jason Clegg is the founder of MindfulSource.com and a regular contributor. He is passionate about personal growth, entrepreneurship, and mindful living. Jason lives in Fresno, California, where he works as an Internet Marketing Consultant.
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Comment by Travina on 7 February 2008:
I loved this article. I know that whenever I set a goal begin to plan, I pretty much get what I want, unless I never really wanted it in the first place ( but that’s another article in itself). I might add that you should break the goal down into steps and each step into tasks, as suggested in “Simple Steps to Impossible Dreams” by Steven K. Scott. This ensures that you will hit your target because you have a map to follow.
Comment by Jason on 8 February 2008:
Great point, Travina! Chunking goals down into smaller pieces is always advisable, but especially important when you’re trying to achieve big dreams.
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Comment by chiz on 13 March 2008:
Good post. You make some great points that most people do not fully understand.
“Of course, if achieving a goal is important in the first place, you’re really half way there. As the Brian Tracy quote suggests, knowing what you want is a major component of goal setting that should be addressed very early in the process.
So start here. Figure out what it is you want and start moving towards it. Spend time today writing about your goals to clarify your thinking. You may be surprised. Often, when I complete these types of exercises, I find myself setting goals I hadn’t even considered beforehand.”
I like how you explained that. Very helpful. Thanks.
Comment by Jason on 31 March 2008:
Yes, I agree - getting started is perhaps the most important part of goal setting. Thanks for visiting!