As a Coach, I know that setting goals is integral to achieving dreams. Creating goals makes the impossible probable by reducing stress, aligning focus with action, and breaking down large projects into easily attainable steps that initiate instant progress. So why doesn’t everyone do it? Let’s look at common reasons why formulating goals is met with such resistance.
When I mention the phrase “goal-setting” to my clients, I usually get one of the following reactions:
- “Sure, I’ll do it, but first I have a million things to get done before I can think about setting goals.”
- “Goal setting doesn’t work for me, it limits my creativity and I feel too much pressure to accomplish things that I may lose interest in achieving.”
- “Goals? How can I set goals? I don’t even know what I want right now!”
- “I’ve never set goals, can you please do it for me, so I know what I need to get done?”
Do you resonate with one of these statements? If so, you’re not alone! When I hear one of these reactions, I know I need to help my client change their perception of goal setting and goal attainment, so they can more easily achieve their dreams. Many people have resistance to setting goals only because they have never experienced the remarkably easy progress achieved by setting goals.
Setting goals can immediately improve your life.
Creating goals is part of an overall Wellness Program
By creating goals, you can streamline where your energy is spent – and the benefits will flow into all areas of your life:
- Reduces overall stress (having direction relieves worry)
- Saves time (when you know what you want, decision-making takes less time)
- Retains focus (becoming intentional reduces distractions)
- Provides a sense of achievement (even small steps can be celebrated)
Overcoming resistance to goal-setting
Working with a Coach can help you to overcome any aversions to creating goals. Here are some suggestions on how to counter-act the reactions I mentioned earlier in this article, using a new perspective.
Reaction: “Sure, I’ll do it, but first I have a million things to get done before I can think about setting goals.
New Perspective: Organizing and prioritizing all the existing things I need to do will create space to focus on more important goals and will save time and energy.
“Goal setting doesn’t work for me, it limits my creativity and I feel too much pressure to accomplish things that I may lose interest in achieving.”
New Perspective: Goals are interactive and flexible – goals can change as our needs change, nothing is set in stone. We can shift course and re-prioritize as needed. This adaptability leads to heightened creativity, not limitation.
“Goals? How can I set goals? I don’t even know what I want right now!”
New Perspective: The process of focusing on goals will help you determine what you want in life and how you want to go about getting those things.
“I’ve never set goals, can you please do it for me, so I know what I need to get done?”
New Perspective: My coach can ask the right questions to help me identify what is important to me and help me to set attainable mini-goals and timelines. My coach will hold me accountable to my own priorities.
More tips for successful goal setting and achievement
BE REALISTIC. Once you have set your goals, evaluate if they are realistic and reachable. Goals have better chances of being reached if you see them as doable. Break down large goals into daily habits so you are always moving forward.
CREATE A TIMETABLE. Creating a timetable is essential is guiding you toward your objectives. Knowing what needs to be done in a distinct order will make achievement easier. Be sure to separate short-term goals from long-term targets.
PRIORITIZE. With so many things to achieve, you must prioritize what should be accomplished first. Set priorities and rate them on their importance and urgency. The most important and urgent have to be accomplished first, and so on. Learning to arrange your goals by order of importance eases you from the stress of being overwhelmed. Most people are daunted when they see that they have so much to do – knowing how to prioritize your goals gives you a clear and linear way to work on them, one goal at a time. Keep in mind that priorities may change with unexpected events, but know that you’ll return back to your timeline when those events have been passed.
ACT, THEN STICK TO YOUR HEALTH & WELLNESS PROGRAM. After listing and ranking each goal by order of its priority, it’s time to act and start living each day in pursuit of your goals. Stick to your strategy, focusing on being able to check off your goals from your list, one goal at a time. Putting your dreams to paper would be useless unless you do something to make them come true.
BECOME AWARE OF DISTRACTIONS. Distractions may include interference from others, to lead you off your chosen path. Distractions may also be blocks you create from your emotions, or perceptions of how attaining your goals will change you. Take the time to analyze these distractions and purposely choose to not let them veer you off your path. Once you become aware of distractions, they will lose their power for the future.
TAKE RISKS. Life is all about taking risks. If you’re afraid of taking risks and failing, you’ll never achieve your dreams. Keep in mind that though you will encounter rough roads and storms in your journey, each of event will serve to make you stronger and more determined. Weathering storms is the mark of a survivor. Be dogged in your pursuit of your dreams, and tenaciously hold on to seeing them come to pass. You can do it!
REMIND YOURSELF DAILY. It’s a good idea to write down your top 5 overall goals, and post them in a place where you will see them every day. This will keep these goals active in your conscious mind and will help you to make decisions to stay in alignment with your goals.
ACCOUNTABILITY. Working with a Coach is a great way to stay focused and accountable. A Coach will remind you of your priorities, cheer you on when you achieve your goals, and help you to keep creating the life of your dreams!
At Integrated Wellness Advisors (IWA), setting goals is essential to every part of our coaching process. Our coaches will help you stay accountable to your goals, keep you focused, provide support and understanding, and always have your best interests as our highest priority.
Contact us today to achieve your dreams, by assisting you in setting and reaching your life goals!