While it is past the start of the new year, stay with me here on this point. It can be used at any time of the year. Why not start your own “new year” today?
If you’re like most people, the beginning of the year is prime time to set New Year’s Resolutions. Your resolutions, or goals, may include losing weight, spending more time with your kids, reading more or making changes in your professional career.
You’re in good company, millions of people set new goals for themselves every January 1st. Within the first few weeks of the year, however, those resolutions are forgotten and abandoned.
Let’ bring in the data, less than 60% of people manage to keep their goal for the new year past the end of January. In fact, less than 10% of people who make resolutions successfully complete them. What determines the success (or failure) of an individual’s resolution? How can you become a member of the 10%?
Boost Your Potential for Success with One Simple Thing
It turns out, most individuals in the 10% category have one thing in common: they wrote down their goals. This isn’t a coincidence. In fact, people who write their goals down are
50% more likely to complete their goals.
What Does Writing Down Your Goals Accomplish?
Why write your goals down on a goal-setting worksheet? Writing down your goals is important for several reasons.
It Signifies a Commitment
Putting your goals in writing sends a message to your brain: this is important. More than just an idea that you may ponder for a brief time, a goal that is written down becomes inherently more important to your subconscious.
It Provides Concrete Motivation
Written goals can be posted in a conspicuous place as a reminder of your intention. Seeing your goal, written in your own handwriting, in a ‘can’t miss’ location can be all the reminder you need to continue pushing toward success.
It Alters Your Brain Pattern
Most people are aware that the brain is divided into two hemispheres. The right side of the brain focuses on the creative aspects of your thinking, while the left side of your brain deals with the more concrete, or literal, issues. When you only think about your goal, you are engaging the right side of your brain. It remains a dream; a pleasant idea that may fade away over time.
When you define your goal, and commit it to paper, your brain transmits a signal from the right side of your brain to the left. This new synapse path within your brain allows your subconscious to continue working on achieving your goal, even if you are not directly thinking about it.
It Provides Clarity
A written goal forces you to be precise in the specifics of your plan. Rather than vague declarations of “lose weight”, a written goal provides you with goals that are SMART based (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely). These additional pieces of information about your goal will help you increase the likelihood of attaining your goal by giving you the specific steps you need to take.
It Disconnects You from Technology
Many individuals argue that using technology to record your goals is just as effective as a handwritten set of goals. In a society that is increasingly more dependent on the internet, it may seem counterproductive to disconnect and use an “archaic” method such as handwriting. However, when you give your brain a break from the constant feed of the internet and the use of technology, you allow your brain to think on its own. This allows your brain to problem solve new ways to reach your goal and utilizes portions of your brain that aren’t engaged while you’re using technology.
Are you ready to take your goal setting to the next level? Don’t simply spend the next year thinking about making changes in your life, give yourself an edge to make them happen by writing them down. Interested in finding out how a goal-setting worksheet can get you closer to success?
Contact the experts at My Big Idea™ to find out how we can help you achieve your dreams.
Michele Bailey is president and CEO of
Blazing THE Agency and
My Big Idea™. These two lines of business work congruently to support her clients’ success.
