Why Does Having Goals Matter?

Have you ever made a New Year’s Resolution and been unable to reach the goal? Chances are you’ve had your fair share of failed resolution attempts. First and foremost - THAT’S NORMAL! We don’t always reach our goals, even if we start with the best intentions. Here at The Goalden System, we love talking about goals. We also know that people have questions, so we want to take some time to answer some common questions we receive. 

We are always happy to chat with you if you have specific questions you’d like to discuss. Feel free to email us at Support@thegoaldensystem.com. 

Why are goals so important?

Goals help drive us forward, whether that be in our personal or professional world. The process of goal setting not only allows you to complete the task and impacts wellbeing, represents your strive to achieve personal change, and enhances your meaning and purpose in life (Sheard, 2013).

When should I start working on a goal? 

Quick answer: anytime! There isn’t a magical day, but you may notice that, as a society, we tend to set goals during times of transition or change. The New Year, a birthday, the start of a semester, or a new job doesn’t mean these are the only times to start working on yourself. 

You might wake up one morning and realize that you don’t want today to be the same old thing you did yesterday and want to try something new. Give yourself permission to try it out that day—no need to wait for a perfect plan to come together. 

Can you set your goals in motion on the third Wednesday of the month?

Absolutely! 

Can you begin working towards a goal during a transition period?

ABSOLUTELY! 

The key to a successful start in your goal-reaching journey is to utilize your motivation to get a jump start on the process. The exact timeframe should not inhibit you from taking your first step. 

However, during these times of change, we feel inspired to change and do better. We may be seeking clarity or find ourselves energized to start something that will improve our lives, so go ahead and ride the wave of motivation as it strikes. This inspiration is powerful! Lean into it, and you’ll discover a renewed sense of purpose. 

Once I have my goal, what do I do next?

Make a plan. Set it in motion. Remain steady, even during difficult days. 

Easier said than done. We know this is the hard part. Don’t let that stop you from getting started. Research has proven that working together with a partner can help you stay committed and achieve your goals. Let us be your partner! We are here for you through every step. 

How do you know goal setting will work?  

World-renowned French writer and aviator Antoine de Saint-Exupéry said it best when they shared, “A goal without a plan is just a wish.”  

When starting a goal, we have a lot of energy, motivation, and drive. Once you get into the routine, the newness or excitement may fade. Optimizing that initial momentum and developing a plan to move forward is essential. Fact: Psychologist Gail Matthews found that actionable tasks and weekly progress reporting improve the likelihood of achieving the desired goal by 40%.

Goals are not reached overnight, and it’s important to remind yourself of that concept. Having a plan with realistic expectations of yourself will increase your chances of getting to the finish line. We will help you develop a plan that is both realistic and specific so that you have a clear focus on every step of the journey. 

I’ve tried goal-setting before, and it just didn’t work. What should I do differently this time? 

Making progress, even if it isn’t perfect, is still better than keeping things the same. Goal setting is one of the most powerful tools we can use to increase motivation. Naming your goal and writing it down is crucial to figuring out the steps you need to take. Don’t skip this step! After identifying your goal, take those words and turn them into intentions.

To initiate a goal, you must first be able to identify it. Writing down your goal will require thoughtful intention. Gail Matthews, Ph.D., determined that even writing down your goal makes you 20% more likely to reach the said goal (2007). Seeing the goal on paper or on your computer helps to keep your focus and helps you to actually get your goal. Once the goal is documented, it becomes a source for reflection. It will allow you to remain focused on your desired outcome. 

Are my goals achievable? 

Sometimes we veer toward making vague goals with the sole purpose of knowing we can rationalize the steps we will take. For example, “I want to work out more.” This is a great starting point for a goal, but we need to make sure we are setting ourselves up for success. What does working out more really look like? Answering this specific question grants our brains the chance to interpret the goal in a way that helps make more sense and thus is easier to accomplish. Read this and see if you would feel more inspired by a specific goal with action steps, “I will workout out for 20 extra minutes this week,” while it may not be what you were hoping to achieve, your brain hears, “I worked out more. Heck yeah!” To ensure that your goals are achievable and realistic, we will help you break down your goal into measurable steps - all without allowing your brain to avoid truly reaching your fullest potential. 

How does having goals impact other aspects of my life? 

Goal setting can impact various areas in our lives. Working toward a goal requires practicing multiple skills that will benefit you in everyday tasks and activities. Suppose you have a professional goal of creating a plan to complete a complex project. In that case, those skills will be able to be used in other situations, such as planning a family reunion or a home improvement project. We value helping people learn the skills they need to accomplish their current goals while also knowing that but also being able to implement the skills attained past their time with The Goalden System. 

Seligman (2013) found that achieving various intrinsic goals actually lends itself to one having improved overall wellbeing, even more so than money and fame. The goal can help you feel a more profound sense of purpose in life. Creating goals and having a purpose in life can lead to fewer health concerns and greater overall satisfaction in life (Kashdan, Mishra, Breen, & Froh, 2009). The effort you put into reaching a goal and the skills you develop will directly influence the most common triggers of stress and anxiety. Your Goalden journey will empower you to change your life. 

So next time you have a goal in mind - write it down, tell a friend, or call us, and we’ll help you with achieving the outcome!