The Psychology of Goal Setting: Tricks for Staying Committed
Goal setting is an essential aspect of personal and professional development. It is the process of identifying what we want to achieve and planning how to get there. However, setting goals is just the beginning. Staying committed to them is the real challenge. Research has shown that only 8% of people who set goals actually achieve them. So, what tricks can we use to stay committed to our goals?
1. Make Your Goals Specific
The first trick to staying committed to your goals is to make them specific. When we set vague goals, we are less likely to achieve them because we aren't clear on exactly what we want. For example, saying, "I want to lose weight" is a vague goal. However, saying, "I want to lose 10 pounds in the next three months by exercising for 30 minutes a day and cutting out junk food" is a specific goal. When we are specific, we know exactly what we need to do to achieve our goals, which makes it easier to stay committed.
2. Write Down Your Goals
Writing down your goals is another trick for staying committed to them. When we write down our goals, we make them tangible, and we can refer to them regularly. Writing them down also helps us clarify our goals and ensures that they are specific. One study found that people who wrote down their goals were 42% more likely to achieve them than those who didn't.
3. Breakdown Your Goals
Breaking down your goals into smaller, manageable tasks is also an effective way to stay committed. When we break down our goals, we can focus on one area at a time, making the goal seem less overwhelming. For example, if your goal is to write a book, you can break it down into small tasks like outlining the book or writing one chapter at a time.
4. Set Realistic Goals
Setting unrealistic goals is a surefire way to fail. When we set unattainable goals, we feel overwhelmed, demotivated, and eventually give up. It's important to set goals that are challenging but also realistic. When we set goals that are achievable, we are more likely to stay committed and motivated.
5. Create A Timeline
Creating a timeline for your goals is another trick for staying committed. When we set a deadline for our goals, it creates urgency, which motivates us to take action. It's important to be realistic with timelines and ensure they align with the specific goals set. You can use a planner, calendar or journal to keep track of your timeline and progress.
6. Celebrate Small Wins
Celebrating small wins is a great way to stay motivated and committed to your goals. When we achieve small milestones, we feel a sense of accomplishment, which fuels our motivation to continue. Celebrating small wins can be as simple as treating yourself to a movie or dinner with friends.
7. Create Accountability
Creating accountability for your goals is a trick that can keep you committed. When we share our goals with others, we feel accountable and responsible for achieving them. We can create accountability by telling friends or family about our goals or even hiring a coach or mentor who can keep us on track.
In conclusion, goal setting is a process that needs commitment to achieve success. The tricks above can help stay committed to realizing specific set objectives, yet it is important to note that these tricks can only work if we're ready to take action. Remember, every day we have a choice to either move towards our goals or away from them. Choose to move towards them and stay focused.