Let me guess, you’ve heard on more than one occasion that you’re more likely to achieve a goal if you write it down. Although it may sound like a big, fat cliché – it’s actually true. Without even opening the three cans of worms I have in my desk drawer, (they’re called manifestation, the subconscious mind, and the law of attraction if you were curious) neuroscience explains it.
To put it simply, material that we generate ourselves hits harder than material produced by someone else that we read. Self-generated visual material is encoded into our brains. When we see a mental picture of a goal in our mind’s eye, then transcribe that onto a sheet of paper, we’re searing that information into our brain. Next thing you know, some time has passed and you’re checking that goal off your list.
“The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
Abraham Lincoln
How to set goals and achieve them.
It’s important and helpful to set goals within each of the time parameters we live within. Yearly, monthly, weekly and daily goals are all good to have. If you haven’t caught on yet, the best way to set goals and achieve them is to always write them down and then focus on goal achievement every day.
When you write down your goals, you are crystal clear on what they are and as a result, you become more emotionally invested in seeing them through. You can look at the words and visualize what it will be like once you’ve reached the goal. The practice of visualization will give you the confidence, clarity and motivation to take daily steps toward achieving your personal and professional goals.
Regularly writing your goals doesn’t need to be a laborious or time consuming task. It just needs to become as integral in your morning routine as brushing your teeth. You can jot your goals on post-its, the back of an envelope from a bill collector sitting on your kitchen counter, or a scratch sheet of paper. As long as you write it on something you can refer back to later.
The benefits in a nutshell.
If you’re still not convinced, here are 5 priceless benefits to writing your goals down.
1. It helps you get clear on what you want
2. It helps you stay motivated
3. It helps to narrow your focus
4. It gives you realistic timeframes to work towards
5. It provides an opportunity to celebrate progress
A gift for you to get started.
Assuming you understand that this is something you have to start doing to maximize success in your personal and professional life, I have a gift for you. I’ve designed a FREE, simple, clean and easily printable goal planner called Dreams & Goals.
The planner includes worksheets for Goal Setting, Daily, Weekly, Monthly, and Yearly Goals & Planning, as well as a nifty Habit Tracker. Instead of slinging around post-its and unopened mail, print these out to start writing your goals and planning for a prosperous future.
My expectation is when you start using these worksheets, you will begin to move differently. Your behavior will start to shift a bit. You’ll feel more abundant and experience a greater sense of gratitude on a much more regular basis. Download your copy now.
