This is a classic On-Purpose Minute that first aired in August 2010 so the September offer regarding The On-Purpose Leader Experience is out of date. Alternatively, consider reading The On-Purpose Person and downloading the free preview to The Discovery Guide.
Another option is On-Purpose Peace, a six-session, small group study for Christians reading The On-Purpose Person.
Goal setting is really the poor man’s way of doing strategic planning. Guess what? For about 95% of what you want to accomplish, writing out your goals will get the job done. If you want to take something to the next level, however, you’ll need to invest in strategic thought and planning. Otherwise, you’ll remain mired in mediocrity.
Research shows that as few as 1% to as many as 10% of all people write down their goals. Why not more people? Here are some of the excuses I’ve come up with. What’s your reason for not setting goals?
- I don’t have time to write goals.
- I’m not really sure that’s where I’m supposed to focus my effort and energy.
Image via Wikipedia - If it is meant to be, then it will happen.
- Goal setting is a waste because my goals never come into being.
- Who am I to set goals?
- No one else I know sets goals.
- I don’t know how to write a goal.
- What if I don’t reach my goal?
- What will other people think? They might think I’m crazy.
- I have too many goals to write them down.
- I don’t believe my goals can be realized or are realistic.
- Goals don’t motivate me.
- Goals are too basic for what I need to get accomplished.
Behind every rationale for not setting a goal is a tragic assault on hope and possibilities fed by irrational thought. OK, so maybe you don’t have Killer Goals; that’s still no reason for not learning the process and getting started. In fact, set that as your first goal.
Lose the Excuses, Gain Your Sanity.
Be On-Purpose!
Kevin