For most individuals, goals are good drivers for productivity and accomplishments. However, like most things in life, if goals aren’t properly managed, we may fail to achieve them. One way to ensure you achieve your goals is to write them down. Check out our list of reasons to write down your goals.
Also read:How to Motivate Yourself to Stick to Goals
Serves as a reminder
The biggest reason to write down your goals is to ensure they are not forgotten. According to Dr. Gail Matthews, 25 percent of those who make new resolutions abandon them after a week, while 60 percent abandon them within six months – all because they forget them. When you write down your goals, you’re regularly reminded of them. Also, if they are written down in reminder apps, you constantly get notified of them.
Helps with planning
When you write down your goals, you are in a better position to put into words your plans toward achieving them. It can help with estimating the time and resources needed to accomplish them. You also have a basis of reference to measure your progress toward achieving the goals.
Recharges you
Naturally, we lose steam with time. When you set a goal for yourself, you’ll have a lot of steam and willpower, but as time passes, the willpower will begin to lessen, especially when you start facing obstacles. But when the goals are written down, each time you set eyes on them, you get re-energized to forge ahead. When you keep seeing the goals, they will register to your unconscious mind, and all the steps you need to take towards the goals will become effortless.
Boosts motivation
After writing down your goal, you need to break it down into smaller goals or objectives. These are stages you need to pass through to achieve your goal. As you pass each of the stages, you’re likely to keep marking them off your list. Seeing your progress will help motivate you further.
Take a weight loss quest, for instance. If you weigh yourself several weeks after you begin your weight loss program and find your weight to be the same, you may be discouraged to continue the program. On the other hand, if you notice a slight reduction in your weight, you’ll be motivated enough to intensify your efforts. It is the same with every goal, and writing your goals down will help you track your progress easily.
Separates fantasy from real goals
Without writing down your goals, they may very well remain mere fantasies that will never materialize. Writing them down is the bridge that will connect your dreams to the real world. In short, writing down your goals makes them real.
Conclusion
If you’re yet to create life goals for yourself, you need to start doing it now. This will give your life a direction. And after setting clear goals for yourself, design a pathway with timelines for your goals. Most importantly, write down your goals to enable you to track your progress and maintain a certain level of motivation.