We all know that every important agreement or deal starts with a contract. We’re also always advised to get things in writing when we want to ensure that the terms are clear, not open for debate, and 100% official.
Similarly, when you set goals, you make an agreement with yourself to achieve the goals you have set. So it’s only fitting that you put this goal achievement agreement in writing.
Putting your goals into words gives them power and exponentially increases your chances of success. When you write out exactly what you want to achieve, this acts like a homing device, guiding you from where you currently stand, to where you want to be.
Not only does this process intuitively feel right and make sense, but research has also proven that writing down goals makes you more likely to achieve them.
5 Reasons Why Writing Down Your Goals is Key to Success
1. Motivation
Written goals keep you motivated. Seeing your goals in print, reviewing them daily, and setting out the next action step helps you stay focused and on track.
2. Clarity
Writing your goals provides clarity. Recording and reviewing your goals helps you clarify where you are and where you want to be.
Writing also provides direction. It forces you to focus on the specific goals you’ve set for yourself and prioritize them over things, activities, and habits that aren’t as important.
3. Provides focus
Writing down specific, measurable goals narrows your focus to what’s important. This gives you a clear plan to follow in a world full of distractions and choices.
4. Writing provides a time frame
Napoleon Hill said that “A goal is a dream with a deadline.” Goals without a time frame are simply dreams.
While dreams are important, it’s unlikely that you will do much about them and turn them into reality because this requires action.
In order to take effective and correct action, you need to understand what needs to be done, and in which order – prioritizing your actions.
Writing down time-bound goals gives you something specific to work towards. Deadlines help you manage your time, take your goal seriously, and prioritize what’s important to you.
5. It allows you to measure success
When you put your goal in writing, you now have something to shoot for. This also means that you can easily recognize when you’ve achieved the goal.
Writing your goals down also makes them tangible and real. It gives you the opportunity to describe your goals in detail, incorporating all your senses. It allows you to engage with your goals emotionally and intellectually.
How to Write Goals That Inspire You
Let’s take this key to success one step further and explore how to write down your goals.
The first step when writing down your goals is to make them SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant/Realistic, and Time-bound).
The second step is to make them dynamic and written in a way that will inspire you.
To write goals that inspire you, make them:
Positive
Goals should emphasize a positive outcome, not the thing you want to avoid. “I will increase sign-ups and sales of my online courses” instead of “I will no longer struggle to enroll people for my monthly courses.”
Personal
Goals are more motivating if you use the first person and relate the outcomes to yourself. “I am fulfilled and excited when I increase sign-ups and sales of my online courses” is better than “Readers sign up for my online courses.”
In the Present Tense
State your goal in the present tense. This demonstrates ongoing progress toward your ultimate goal instead of referring to a distant, unknown future.
For example, “I have a successful coaching practice that is always fully booked” versus “I will have a successful coaching practice that will always be fully booked.”
One sounds like an affirmative statement, the other sounds like a vague hope.
Experience the Power of Written Goals
In the previous article, I shared how I got back to writing on this blog after almost 7 months of procrastinating. Having a written down goal that was broken into tasks kept this goal at the front of my mind until I had no choice but to get back on track!
Writing down goals is a very powerful key to success. It helps to make sense of the ideas, dreams, vision, and hopes for your future that are swirling around your mind.
Written goals provide clarity and direction. We are also more likely to commit to goals that are documented in writing.
Writing down your goals, in a way that is uniquely suited to you, is an essential part of the planning process. Commit to your success by putting your goals in writing!
Ready to learn a step-by-step process to set goals?
Knowing that writing down your goals is key to success is one thing. How to do it effectively is another!
Are you ready to learn a step-by-step process to set achievable and inspiring business goals that will keep you motivated?
Check out my Goal Setting Masterclass today. Adopt game-changing goal-setting best practices that will get results for your business and take it to the next level of success.
Sign up today, set goals for success, and learn how to achieve your goals faster than you have done in the past!
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