Day Two: Set Goals

Setting goals might seem like something you did after college, or something your boss ask's you to do once a year in your annual review. Most people leave goal setting at the workplace or at school, and do not incorporate it into their personal lives. Goal setting is a little known way to increase motivation and bring purpose back into a life that can sometime feel mundane and meaningless. Read on to find out how to set goals, and the benefits of doing so.



How To Choose Goals


There are so many goals we all have in life, whether that be to go on vacation to your dream location of Hawaii, or to buy a new car within the next five years goals can range from big to small, from short term to long term. Choosing the right goals to set now is a crucial decision in boosting self esteem and training yourself to work hard for something and feel good once you have reached your destination.

Start off with small goals, and once you complete those, start aiming higher and higher. Showing yourself you can accomplish the things you set your mind to will tell your brain "well if I can reach that, then I can definitely reach my next goal" and so on, until sky is the limit. Start off with some short term goals, whether that be saving up for a new pair of spring pumps, or to finally organize the mess that is your basement this Spring. Setting short term goals that are easy to accomplish will boost morale, where as starting with harder long term goals can leave you feeling depressed if they are not accomplished in the time you have set. once you have reached your short term goals, keep aiming higher because now you have the self confidence to do anything!




Benefits of Setting Goals


Setting goals is going to increase motivation, and give you something to strive for. When life gets boring, we get stuck in our routines and find ourselves bored. Setting goals and working to achieve them will give you something to look forward to, and boost self esteem.

Setting goals can also give you a sense of control that you didn't know you have. Sometimes we feel like life is out of control, setting goals and organizing our plans can give a greater sense of control over our life's, and put us back in the driver seat.

Last but not least? You are going to see results and feel amazing about it. "Only 3% of people in the U.S. have written goals, and according to research, these people accomplish 80% more than those who don't. "(Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/239306").  Taking the first step in setting goals just puts you one step farther in achieving them!

Getting Started


Whether you decide to use a journal, type up a spreadsheet or write down goals in your calendar, deciding on which goals you are going to start with is your first step. Google Calendar can be a helpful tool, you can set it up to email you reminders. A fun way to use this tool, you can send your self motivational reminders once  a week that will help you get excited and working hard to cross another one off the list. Speaking of list, make sure you have at least one written or typed up containing all your goals. Being able to physically see when you have crossed one off the list is going to just add to the sense of accomplishment.

Congratulations, deciding to take control of your life and accomplish what YOU want is just another step in the right direction towards a happier, and more energized life style!


What will your first goal be?



Sources: 
http://www.livestrong.com/article/95506-benefits-setting-goals/
http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Top-6-Benefits-of-Setting-Goals&id=239306