Reasons to Set Personal Goals

Goal setting is probably a topic you've heard about far too many times! The trouble is, most times you haven't been inspired to set goals or understood the true value of setting goals. The following are reasons to set goals:

When you choose not to set personal goals, it leaves the door open for others to set them for you.
A respected person once said that your time will come under the control of dominant people in your life if you choose not to seize your time. Simply put, you need to decide your course in life or someone else will navigate for you. This will lead you to follow THEIR goals in place of your own. As a result, your goals will actually be someone else's. At the core of it all, by setting your own goals you are working towards what YOU want, not what anybody else wants.

Goals are needed to bring us out of our passivity; urgency is aroused. A deadline is set in place together with a well stated goal. This stirs up motivation to fulfill the goal. We become motivated mentally as a result. If I want to "get in shape someday" then I never will. But if I plan to do the half marathon in September, then even though it's only May, I know I better get moving!

Goals focus us in on the people and the resources we require in order to succeed. For instance, when you are shopping for a specific item like a house or car you start to take notice of only those particular items. In the same way, when you have established a to the point goal to strive for you find resources and make contact with people who will help you achieve the goal. If you are planning to compete in a triathlon you start to find articles and tips on proper training for the event; if you are taking an accounting course you start to take more interest in other people's financial portfolios.

Goals help you weed out time-wasters in your life. Have you ever been a position where having too much time was your problem? I didn't think so. Whenever we make a decision to do something we are also making a choice not to do many others. Aimless people without goals automatically gravitate towards what is a) easiest or b) what is most urgent. Goal setters have an easier time saying "no" to the alternatives because they have a reason both for themselves and for those pressuring them to do something that is counter to their goals-why they are definitely not going to do it.

People who set goals accomplish more. There you have it; the core reason to set goals that you've been avoiding because you're not a "goal-setting person". No more excuses. You need to become a goal-setting type! First, get a procedure tailored for goal setting. Second, put together or obtain a template to help you set your goals. Lastly, use these tools to guide your life. In turn, you will accomplish more, you will find more pleasure and direction in life and you will do more of the things you deem important.