One of the pillars of Self-Wealth is Hope. Hope is a force that drives us, gives us reasons to get up and get moving in the morning, and helps provide direction. Without hope, we falter or stall out. We feel listless and unmotivated. But sometimes hope can feel a little abstract. To help harness your hope, it is useful to think about the future in more concrete terms. And that might mean setting goals.

Goal Setting Works

Though you may roll your eyes at the thought of setting goals, I urge you to keep an open mind. Although this may seem like a simple concept, it absolutely works. As an article by David Coreen of Davron executive search states, “Goal setting is a well-researched psychological concept that has been consistently linked to increased motivation, performance, and success. Numerous studies have shown that people who set clear, well-defined goals are more likely to achieve higher levels of success compared to those who do not.”

Setting goals works because it helps define the future and provides a path to get there. However, it’s not enough to “set it and forget it.” True goal-setting is active and is approached with strategy and resolve.

Best Approaches to Goal Setting

Though everyone is different, the following tips should work for most people. Use the suggestions that work for you, try them out, and drop the approaches that don’t suit you.

Write It Out

It’s not enough to simply think about your goals. The act of writing them out and drawing up your plans helps put them in more concrete terms. An article by Top Practices says, “Written goals give you vision, hope, and inspiration for why you’re doing the day-to-day work. They remind you every time you see them exactly where you are headed.”

Start Small

If you’re having trouble getting started on a large goal (be it saving for retirement, buying a new home, or taking a dream vacation), it’s a good idea to start small. Identify one or two easy or straightforward actions you can take that help move the needle toward your end goal. Then, get to work.

Be Consistent

It’s a good idea to keep your goals in mind and work toward them a little bit every day or every week. Otherwise, it’s easy to lose momentum or lose sight of your goals.

Set Deadlines

Map out your goal, break it into bite-sized pieces or tasks, and then set deadlines for those tasks. Deadlines are an excellent motivator for many people; without them, we have a tendency to put things off indefinitely, constantly kicking the can down the road.

Reset If Necessary

Check in every once in a while to see how you’re progressing with your goals. If you’re off-track, don’t throw in the towel. Instead, think about how you can recalibrate your goals and set new deadlines. This will give you a chance to start fresh and keep moving forward. I work in an industry where goals are essential. My clients dream about retirement, saving for certain major purchases, sending their kids off to college, and much more. And those who are most likely to achieve those dreams are the ones committed to their goals.

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