The True Power of Setting Goals

The True Power of Setting Goals

As a life coach who guides people to set goals and achieve them, I first work with my clients to think about, and then focus on, a desired outcome. 

This is a process that generates results. Every time. However, some are not so convinced. 

Case in point: A good friend of mine, a sales rep for a large company, was telling me that a client of his was asking way too much from him – at least he saw it that way. This client was expecting a list of strategies, and contacts, and sales goals that my friend had to provide. While I was chatting with my sales rep friend it became very apparent that this wasn’t his regular style of working. He actually had quite an aversion to it. I asked him if he’d be willing to try this new sales approach if his desire to work with this client was strong enough.

His answer… Goals don’t work, nobody ever looks at the goals they make, they’re stupid! 

Wow! I wasn’t expecting such a strong reaction, but it was clear that he wasn’t willing to change his sales style, or even try this new approach out, in order to work with this client. Case closed.

I didn’t argue my point on why I think setting goals is important. I don’t think he would have reacted the way he did if he knew how much value I put into creating goals, and how much that action has to do with achieving a desired outcome. Long story short, having clear goals has made all the difference.

“The distance between your dreams and reality is action.”

This interaction got me thinking about the pitch I would have made on goal setting, if my friend had actually asked my opinion.

I guess the bottom line is that when I know the results I’m after, and I focus on that outcome, it absolutely, unequivocally works. When I change my focus, the quality of my life also changes.

The key is knowing exactly WHAT you want, WHY you want it, and then making time every day to align your attention and efforts into making it happen. It seems so simple, but it’s incredibly powerful and it’s how to achieve goals.

I suspect that my friend’s attention was more focused on his fear of not being able to deliver what this client wanted. The thought of trying something new, and failing, was too painful for him. If I’m right, this is purely the ego standing directly in his way. Living in fear causes so much unnecessary stress and drama.  

 This is the very reason I believe that setting goals – especially ones that move me out of my comfort zone - enable growth, skill-building, and new ways to contribute.

Knowing how to set goals helps to clarify what I want and, more importantly, defines the purpose that will drive me to achieve my goals. Sometimes I’m not even sure how I’m going to make them happen, but the very act of writing a goal down and focusing on the desired outcome regularly, means that I’m putting time, energy and intention into finding a way through.

My Challenge For You: I challenge you to write down all the dreams and aspirations you could ever want for your life.

• Spend 6 – 10 minutes writing down everything and anything that comes to your mind.
• Circle 3 of the items in your list – the ones you think you can make happen within the next year.
• Take those 3 outcomes, write down a paragraph of WHY you need to make them happen, and then brainstorm what steps you need to take to get the ball rolling.
• Revisit this list every week, or every day, and edit your Action Steps if necessary, but make sure to dedicate time and energy into accomplishing these 3 goals.

 What’s the worst that could happen?

Imagine achieving one, or all 3 items by this time next year!

These are things that will definitely NEVER happen if you don’t change your focus and try. It works for me and I’ll continue to do it for the rest of my life.

My personal mantra is Dream Great Dreams Then Make Them Come True, and with that comes a mission to empower women through both private and group coaching. Start setting your goals and let's chat about making them happen in a free 15-minute consultation!