When you set yourself a goal at work, sport or in life in general, this is your ‘what’; it describes what it is that you want to achieve in any given area of your life. From this target you will have worked out a plan of how you will achieve your goal; of what it will take in terms of work and effort - you will even have thought about when you will achieve this goal that you have set yourself. However, in terms of influence on the likelihood of you attaining your goal, just as important as all of the above but seldom talked about, is your 'why' - what are your reasons for wanting to achieve this goal?
Being tuned into why you are pursuing a goal brings a whole host of benefits that can provide you with the support, drive and impetus needed to get you over the line, so it is well worth taking the time to sit and consider this. Because, in life, things do not always go exactly to plan, and on the road to success we encounter obstacles, set-backs and disappointments; so, having strong motives can make the difference between persistence and giving up – they serve as the fuel to drive your efforts.
To get in tune with the deeper reasons why you want to be able to run that 10k, make the team, secure a promotion at work, or even lose those last few pounds, ask yourself the following questions:
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How will I feel when I have achieved my goal?
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What difference will success make to my life?
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How will it help me in other areas of my life?
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What will reaching my target tell me about myself and what I can do?
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What else will I learn along the way?
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What will my life look like when I have reached my target?
By asking such questions, you move beyond your goal to gain access to the underlying motives that drive you, and being in tune with these will strengthen your efforts and increase your chances of success. So, give it a go and see what happens – who knows what you can achieve?!
Final thought
“Your chances of achieving a goal are only as strong as your reasons for doing it”.
