How do you feel about goals? Chances are, the word either evokes a positive or negative response. I know because I’ve felt both.
I don’t recall the idea of goals being a common topic of conversation while growing up. Yes, I tried to get good grades and accomplish tasks. But the concept of setting goals was somewhat foreign.
I didn’t really think much about the word until I entered the corporate world in my early 20s. Unfortunately, my earliest interactions were anything but positive.
Goals were usually ridiculously unattainable and accompanied by a punishment for those who didn’t reach them. Like the time 90+ percent of our team was forced to work every weekend throughout the holiday season for failing to hit an impossible sales goal.
When I stopped living life based on the expectations of others, I began to see the value of goals. Click To Tweet
It wasn’t until I stopped living my life based on the expectations of others that I began to see the value of goals. Once my husband, Jer, and I stopped trying to fit in and started creating our own dreams, my feelings about goals changed. They became a positive part of our lives and something we continue to get excited about.
Today, I would say that goals are a habit more than anything. If you follow me on social media, you might have seen posts where I challenge myself to new goals. This year I cycled 4,000 miles by the end of July, started a quest to visit every state park in Minnesota, and took up running.
Goals are important for many reasons. The act of setting the intention of what you want your life to look like becomes a roadmap to guide you on your journey. Making progress toward your goals motivates you to keep moving forward. Shared goals with your spouse can help put an end to fights about money and parenting. So many good things happen when you set goals because goals give you hope.
So many good things happen when you set goals because goals give you hope. Click To Tweet
I think we realize this instinctively when we begin the process of setting goals. Then I stumbled upon research to back it in Brené Brown’s book, The Gifts of Imperfection. Here’s what Brown had to say about goals and hope based on her study of C. R. Snyder’s book, The Psychology of Hope.
“I was shocked to discover that hope is not an emotion; it’s a way of thinking or a cognitive process. Emotions play a supporting role, but hope is really a thought process made up of what Snyder calls a trilogy of goals, pathways, and agency. In very simple terms, hope happens when
- We have the ability to set realistic goals (I know where I want to go).
- We are able to figure out how to achieve those goals, including the ability to stay flexible and develop alternative routes (I know how to get there, I’m persistent, and I can tolerate disappointment and try again).
- We believe in our abilities (I can do this).
So hope is a combination of setting goals, having the tenacity and perseverance to pursue them, and believing in our own abilities.
And, if that’s not news enough, here’s something else: Hope is learned! Snyder suggests that we learn hopeful, goal-directed thinking in the context of other people. Children most often learn hope from their parents. Snyder says to learn hopefulness, children need relationships that are characterized by boundaries, consistency, and support.”
Hope is not an emotion; it's a way of thinking. @BreneBrown Click To Tweet
Isn’t that great news? “Hope is learned!” And it doesn’t matter whether or not we were taught to be hopeful. We can choose to learn that way of thinking now. It’s as simple as setting and achieving attainable goals.
Since goal setting has been such an important part of our journey, you can find a lot of resources here on my blog. In fact, my first email opt-in was a free ebook about goal setting. You can access it here. I also offer one on one coaching.
What I’m most excited about is my new book that’s coming out later this year. What started as a quick refresh to my free ebook has taken on a life of its own. Resolution Reboot is a 30-day plan to help you rediscover your dreams, set attainable goals, and start creating a life you love!
The best news is that you don’t have to be a crazy, type A, workaholic to make this plan work for you. My husband, Jer, and I have opposite personality types and over the years, we’ve adapted this process to work for both of us.
What’s more is that you won’t have to go through the process alone. Anyone who buys the book by the end of the year will have access to free online coaching.
As a way to thank my email subscribers, I’ll be offering special discounts just for them. You can join my mailing list here. I hope you enjoy the exclusive content I put together each week.
Let’s make 2018 the year of no more excuses!
I’m looking forward to sharing this journey with you. If you know someone who is looking to create change in their life, please feel free to share this message with them.
And remember, it’s about progress, not perfection.
Ready for a fresh start in the New Year?
Later this year I will release a 30-day plan to help you rediscover your dreams, set attainable goals, and start creating a life you love.
Anyone who purchases by the end of the year will get added support and accountability through free online coaching. Get the best deal by signing up here.
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