The Psychology of Goal Setting: Warrior Mind Podcast #516
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In this episode of the Warrior Mind Podcast, I’m going to discuss the psychology of goal setting and why goal setting is essential for your success.
Psychology of Goal Setting
There are many things that people do in order to stay motivated and reach their goals. One of the most powerful ways to do this is not one that many people consider, but it has proven to be extremely important in this process. That method is to write your goals down and it is known to be extremely beneficial for this purpose.
The power of written words is undeniable
It can be incredibly powerful to write something down and to know that what you wrote is going to have a major effect in your life. The simple act of writing something already tells your brain that this is more important than anything that is not written.
This works at a subconscious level and it helps us keep our goals more palpable and real in every possible way. The main reason why setting your goals and making them official is that you are going to experience a level of commitment that is extremely useful in their journey.
Letting others know your plans
We are no saying that you should have your plans printed on a poster for everyone to see in your office or home, but you could tell those who are close to you about your plans. This is a great way to add motivation because you don’t want to be the person who quits before they reach their goals.
Some people would argue that this is unnecessary pressure, but you should see it from the glad half full angle instead of the glass half empty. Think of it as the perfect way to keep you focused and driven to succeed.
One of the things that everyone needs to remember at all times is that letting people know about your goals has nothing to do with telling them how you plan to accomplish them. For example, someone who plans to become a bestselling author does not have to share what kind of book they are planning to write. The simple act of letting people know that you are pursuing a career as an author is more than enough.
When you tell supportive people of your plans, they may even help keep you encouraged when things seem to be most difficult. This type of support is always good and it’s also the reason why you should only share your goals with people you trust.
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The statistics of success
Most people who set out to achieve any kind of goals are going to fail and that is an undeniable fact, but the reasons why they fail are mostly something they can control and improve. This means that failure to achieve goals is largely related to how we perceive the challenges and not something that is out of our control.
Just like success is the outcome for a minority of people with their goals, statistics also show that only 3% of people who have plans and goals actually write them down. This provides great insight into how many people don’t take their goals seriously enough to write them down and to give them more relevance in their lives.
It would seem like everyone wants to achieve success in life and for the most part this is true. The problem is that most people are not doing all they can to ensure that their goals can be reached. The truth is that anyone can dream big, but most people are not going to take the time to build the stricture that is going to make those dreams come true.
Set smaller goals on the road to the main goal
One of the most important aspects of goal setting is to set smaller goals that lead you to the larger goals you have set for yourself. For example, if you are planning to write a book. You should celebrate the process of creating the first draft. We are not saying you should be throwing a party for that particular goal, but you could treat yourself to a nice dinner or maybe buy yourself a small present.
The more layers you add to the goal, the more likely it is that you will feel encouraged to keep going with gradual achievements. This is very important when you are setting goals that are meant to happen after a long process of hard work and dedication.
Unwritten goals are easily dismissed
Another problem that comes from not writing your goals is that you are less likely to feel hesitant to quit. The less emotional involvement you have with a goal, the more likely it is that you won’t have as much commitment to see it through.
This is one of the biggest factors to consider when you are looking for a way to achieve better results with your efforts. Writing your goals down and letting other people know about them are two of the most essential ways for you to achieve results. Just remember that most successful people did this before they became a success. They knew the power that comes from writing your goals and they understood the value of giving them more weight and adding more emotional involvement.
Always look at your goals as an important part of your life, and this means they are a part of your life that you can’t hide from those around you, but most importantly, you can’t hide them from yourself.
Final thoughts
Goals are ultimately the essence of a happy and fulfilling life because they allow us to gain a sense of purpose. It doesn’t matter how small or how big your goals are, the thing that truly matters is that you are going to have a project that is going to keep you engaged in your journey through life.
We are all likely to have many goals during the course of a lifetime. The more you are able to stick to each of those projects until you reach your goals, the more likely your journey through life is going to be joyful and extremely successful.
For a more in-depth discussion about this topic request your Introductory Consultation.
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