Is Goal-Setting Actually important?

I hear it all of the time from the awesome clients I work with: "I already know what I want to accomplish. So is goal setting actually important?"

My answer is always the same: 10000% YES!

Today I am going to explain why it's absolutely critical that you establish goals for yourself if you want to create a life you love. 

Let's start with what goals do.

Goals:

• Provide direction to our life
• Ensure that *we* are the one choosing the direction of our life -- not family, not friends, not societal expectations 
• Motivate us
• Make sure we are on the right path to accomplish what we want in our life
• Save us time
• Reduce our stress levels
• Give us a sense of accomplishment

While there's nothing wrong with some occasional spontaneity, and it may seem like fun to live without direction in the short-term, in the long-term we are wired to crave a purpose and direction.

​Goals provide a sense of direction and purpose to our life.

It can be easy (or sometimes even expected) to let others set our direction for us.

For example, how many times have you heard one of the following (maybe you have even experienced one of these yourself)?

• We take a job because our parents expect this career path from us and then we follow the dictates of our bosses.
  
• We move in a direction that doesn't feel in alignment due to popular culture or the media telling us this is what we *should* be doing. 

The simple truth is that if we do not set our own goals then we will find it too easy to follow a path set by others.

This can lead to stress and unhappiness. We have a greater chance of happiness and fulfillment following our own
path and pursuing our own goals.

While goals certainly give our lives direction, they also provide the motivation to get us through the inevitable difficult times and choices that we will experience throughout our lives.

Goals also serve as the destination for what we really want out of life.

For some people, goals are measured in money or material goods, while for others goals are measured in time or freedom.

Some goals may include business growth, books read, places traveled, inches lost or muscle gained.

The possibilities are truly endless. 

But, if we do not have goals outlined that suit our unique perspective on life it is easy to become sidetracked by life and others.

Goals can also help save time.

When your "To Do" list becomes too long and your calendar too full, then you can simply compare your goals to the list.

What items help you achieve your goal?

What items are necessary to your goal?

Scratch off the rest as unimportant or to be left for a later time.

Just as goals save time they also reduce stress because using your goals to focus your life and choices makes it easier to make those choices.

Should you take that new position at work? Is it in alignment with your goals?

When making decisions each day -- both the big ones and the every-day ones -- this is a simple question to ask: "Is _____ in alignment with my goals?"

Finally, goals give you a measurable sense of accomplishment. Every goal you achieve -- in fact
every step you make toward that goal -- can give you a boost of energy and momentum to keep going.

Each success powers you toward the next level of success.

​If you were on the fence or unsure before, I hope you can now see the importance of setting goals in your life.

So what are you waiting for?! Get out there and set your goals!

​alijencikcoaching.lpages.co/four-goal-setting-strategies/If you're not too sure where to start or would like a little assistance in gaining clarity, download the ​FREE guide: Four Goal Setting Strategies To Create A Life You Love.