Some people believe that goals create more striving and cause us to “push” ourselves. But is it possible to have less “pushing” and more inspired action? When we define our Values and then align them with our goals, we can take positive action, which can seem effortless. To feel purposeful and passionate about a goal, it needs to be important and a priority in our life. As humans, we are goal-seeking by nature, whether to just stay alive or to achieve more personal meaning in our life. It makes sense to set our own agenda for our goals, otherwise, the circumstances of our life, or other people’s agendas, will push us along.
By setting goals in a structured way, they can provide a pathway, creating security and clear direction. They provide a point of reference, to check-in on, against our daily and weekly activities. Writing down your goal clarifies your desire and takes the thought out of your head and into reality. Remember, you can always change the plan as you progress and fine-tune the pathway. Goals rarely go in a straight line, so constant readjustment is required to get you back on track.
Once you write down your goal, you can simplify the task by breaking it down into manageable steps. This maximizes your chances of success and helps to focus your attention. Goals require commitment, especially when faced with challenges. Taking the first step is the hardest!
“A goal without a plan is just a wish”
~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry