5 Reasons Setting Goals is Important in Every Area of Life

When it comes to most areas of life, people tend to float around and embrace the idea of whatever happens, happens. But here are 5 reasons why setting goals is important, no matter what you’re talking about, whether it’s work, play, or even relationships. 

“I don't focus on what I'm up against. I focus on my goals and I try to ignore the rest.” - Venus Williams

1. Goals keep you focused.

Imagine a ship setting sail without a destination in mind—as it traveled wherever the winds took it, supplies would eventually run out, and the crew would probably have to resort to cannibalism in order to survive. 

Okay, so maybe a lack of goal setting won’t yield such dire results, but you certainly won’t get anywhere specific if you don’t have a plan. Whether you’re talking about work, hobbies, or relationships, setting a goal will keep you moving towards success and fulfillment, without veering off course.

“What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.” - Zig Ziglar

2. Goals help you make a plan of action.

When you know how much you’ve accomplished, you can understand how much you need to achieve and pace yourself accordingly. 

For example, if you set a goal for yourself to save up a million dollars for retirement, you believe you’re two decades away from retiring, and have only saved up $500,000, you know you need to save around $2,100 per month. 

“One of the lessons that I grew up with was to always stay true to yourself and never let what somebody else says distract you from your goals. And so when I hear about negative and false attacks, I really don't invest any energy in them, because I know who I am.” - Michelle Obama

3. Goals get you motivated.

Without a goal in mind, you can always say it will happen tomorrow—whatever it is. Of course, once tomorrow arrives, there will be a tomorrow after that, and so on. 

Setting a goal with a timetable will force you into some accountability for your actions and force you to get up off the proverbial couch.

“Goals transform a random walk into a chase.” - Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

4. Goals help you actualize your potential.

Each and every one of us has incredible talents and abilities latently existing within, but very few people actually leverage those talents into something useful. 

Setting goals and working towards them is a great way to put your skills to work, while developing and sharpening your natural talents.

“Everybody has goals, aspirations or whatever, and everybody has been at a point in their life where nobody believed in them.” 

- Eminem

5. Goals keep you committed.

One of the biggest deterrents to success is that people just give up along the road. If you set a goal for yourself and stick to it, you can block out unhelpful distractions and resist falling into depression or self-pity when things don’t quite go your way. 

You know there’s an awesome view at the top of the mountain and you’re committed to seeing it, no matter how arduous the climb. 

Agape

Harry J Turner, CCTP, CMHIMP, HCH, LCSW
aka “The Nocturnal Therapist”