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Why Meaningful Goals are Crucial to Your Success
Goals are easy enough to set.
I want to graduate from college.
I want to be a millionaire.
I want to pay off my debts.
I want to amass the largest collection of Harry Potter memorabilia.
The problem with setting goals though is that while they are more than easy to set, they’re not as easy to accomplish.
Why?
The number 1 reason people fail to achieve their goals is because they don’t identify clear, meaningful goals that are purpose driven, and with actionable steps.
Knowing how to set meaningful, purpose driven goals is what sets successful people apart from the rest.
Setting a goal and expecting it to happen is like enrolling for college but never attending class. The intent may be there, but the drive and purpose aren’t.
Goal setting is a process. And while achieving your goals will take both time and effort, the end result is always well worth it.
So are you ready to finally set meaningful goals that you’ll actually stick to? Grab a pen and paper and let’s get started.
8 Steps to Set Meaningful Goals You’ll Actually Stick To
1. Identify your purpose, or the “why” behind your goal.
Identifying your purpose behind the goal is essential to not only setting your goals, but also actually achieving them. Goals that are rooted in both passion and meaning are the ones that stick, whereas goals that have no purpose driving them are the ones that flop.
Ask yourself:
- What am I really trying to accomplish here?
- What does success look like to me?
- Why am I doing this in the first place?
For example, maybe your goal is to go solo as a consultant after you reach X number of years at the firm you’ve been working at. Your purpose behind the goal may look something like:
- I want to become an independent consultant and be my own boss.
- To me, success means being able to work with clients from a few specific industries so that I can specialize in my niche.
- I’m doing this for my own personal fulfillment, and to gain autonomy and independence.
Once you’ve answered these questions and identified your purpose, you’ll find that it’s much easier follow through on the goals you set.
2. Ask yourself: “What motivates me?”
When you set goals, it’s important to ensure that they relate to your utmost priorities in life. Without this type of focus and commitment, you run the risk of having to many goals, making it nearly impossible to devote the time or energy necessary to actually achieve them.
Make sure that the goals you set are actually important to you, and that there is concrete value in accomplishing them. To help identify your motivations, ask yourself these questions:
- What drives me?
- What personal value do I attain from achieving this goal?
Following the same scenario as earlier, your answers might resemble something like this:
- I’m driven to succeed and provide for my family.
- I will prove to myself to that I am indeed capable of learning how to run my own business.
When you’ve outlined your underlying motivations and purpose, your plan of action will become much clearer.
3. Rewrite your goals with your purpose and motivation in mind.
Now that you’ve identified your underlying motivations and purpose, take the time to rewrite your goals. For example:
Goal #1: I will become an independent consultant by the end of this year, and will have at least 10 client groups identified that I can work with.
Goal #2: By gaining autonomy, independence, and the ability to provide for my family, I will prove to myself that I am indeed capable of reaching my goals and being successful.
4. Break down each goal into smaller, actionable steps.
Once you’ve rewritten your goals, break down each goal into smaller, more concise steps that are clear and actionable. Identify the critical pieces of each goal, and create a detailed plan that will ensure each goal is met. Consider breaking up your plan into monthly steps/goals, and then breaking that down into a weekly plan. By taking your larger goal and breaking it down into more achievable, smaller pieces, the end result won’t seem as daunting, and you’ll also avoid burnout.
5. Give yourself a realistic timeline.
When you take on too much at once and set unrealistic timelines, you not only run the risk of facing burnout, but you’re also more likely to get distracted. Avoid burnout and distractions by giving yourself realistic, feasible deadlines.
6. Take time to positively reflect on your goals.
From time to time you may lose sight of your goals and the bigger picture. Wait-why I’m doing this again? Take the time to positively reflect on your goals. For example, create a dream board to remind you of what your version of success looks like. Fill your dream board with quotes and images that inspire you, and use your board to remind you of what your original goals were. Don’t lose sight of your purpose and your goals, and remember: all good things take time.
7. Reassess and revise your goals as necessary.
It wouldn’t be life if everything went smoothly without a hitch! Your goals are subject to change, like everything else in life. It may be that a deadline has to change, or that you develop new goals that tie into your original goals. Take the time to review and revise your goals periodically, perhaps on a monthly basis.
8. Note the progress you make, however incremental.
As you move closer to your goals, it’s important to take the time to celebrate the ‘wins’ of your progress. Maybe you reached every step of your action plan for this month a week ahead of schedule, so reward yourself! When you take the time to celebrate the goals you achieve, you give yourself the credit that’s due, and you honor your efforts and hard work. See a movie with a pal, or treat yourself to a massage – you earned it! By taking the time to acknowledge your progress, you not only reward yourself, but you also remind yourself that you are indeed capable of accomplishing your goals (and kicking a** at life).
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