Goals are crucial. We all have them from “I will read a book a week” to “I will grow my business”. We are no strangers to these musings, no, scratch that, everybody has musings like this, whether they are scribbled on napkins or spoken aloud. We call these musings GOALS.

Goals are targets individuals or organisations set to accomplish within a specific time. Think of goals as road signs that mark a deserted path and guide you to a hidden treasure. Everybody sets goals, but our attitudes toward these goals differ from person to person. Let’s throw it back to new year’s day; everybody rushes to get their papers scribbling what they want to achieve that year. Fast forward to February, and many will have deviated from their goals, leaving their resolutions in the dust.

Why do people find it challenging to stick to their goals? The answer is that they need to set actionable and achievable goals. Setting goals are easy, but achieving them is more complicated. As they say, “Rome wasn’t built in a day,” and neither are goals accomplished overnight. Therefore, when setting goals, you must be realistic and consider your limits. Otherwise, your risk setting yourself up for failure.

Accountability also plays a significant role in achieving our goals. When you set goals, you should tell a third party about them. Telling a third party helps build responsibility – this party will check on your progress on these goals, thus enjoining accountability. These third parties could be your parents, your friends or your colleagues. 

But it’s not just about having someone else hold us accountable; seeking the opinion of other people is essential. As the infamous cliche says, “two heads are better than one”. So when you set your goals, it is advisable to ask the opinions of others. Asking for their opinions makes you see other perspectives on the goals you want to achieve. For example, imagine you own a small company and are working on your yearly goals. You could tap your employees to hear their insights about the proposed goals; this helps you identify areas that need improvement or refinement. 

Of course, past performance and insights are also critical when setting new goals. There is no better way to put your new goals than by looking at past insights and interpretations. By reviewing your successes and failures, you can better understand what worked and didn’t and use that information to plan for the future; this helps you set realistic and achievable goals within your grasp.

Goals are essential, and everybody should set them. Goal setting improves your decision-making. When you set goals, your targets are well delineated, and what needs to be done to achieve these goals that have been set aside. For instance, listing the activities and tasks, you intend to do in a note aids in quick decision-making, as you can see the following line of action for the day as soon as you finish one task.

We all like to be productive. Month or year, we all seek to measure our productivity. Productivity is measured by how much is achieved in a certain period, given the resources used. So how do you make use that your resources are well optimised? This can be achieved with goal setting. Goal setting enables proper, efficient planning, allowing you to effectively use your resources, like a chef using the right ingredients to create a delicious meal.

If you are an individual who is well invested in their personal growth and development, then you must be very well aware of the need for goal setting. Setting your goals take you out of your comfort zone, and it takes a lot of reasonable effort, good habits and focus. Goal setting enables one to articulate the activities and tasks to achieve personal development.

So, it’s never too late, whether it’s a personal or professional goal. Grab a pen and paper and start your treasure hunt. Who knows what you might discover along the way?