why are goals important?

Goals and their importance

In this article , through some short but inspiring stories and anecdotes, I would like to show you just how important our goals are. I will then provide you with the S.M.A.R.T. goals technique which will keep you focused and motivated in achieving your goals.

Why are goals important?

Imagine that you are sitting in the street on a hot sunny day with a magnifying glass in your hand. You are holding a sheet of paper in your other hand and are about to burn it on a point. I guess I don’t need to tell you which way is more effective: constantly moving the magnifying glass, or concentrating on one point without moving either the magnifying glass or the paper. This is the power of concentration. It’s important to have our goals in sight and to not forget about them. 

Now imagine a young man. He is travelling and has just got to a junction where an old man is sitting in a rocking-chair. There is a straw in the old man’s mouth and a hat on his head. The young man approaches him and asks the following question:

- Which way do these roads go?

- Which way are you going?

- asked the old man while looking at the young man from under his hat and moving the straw to the other side of his mouth.

- I have no idea. I am just travelling for fun.

- Then why do you care which way they go?

Choose any of them, for you it doesn’t matter.

If it doesn’t matter which way we are heading, then it doesn’t matter which one we choose, any of them will lead us there.

Now imagine that you are the head coach of the Patriots. Right before the Super Bowl you are in the changing room with your team. After the usual inspiring talk, everyone is fired-up. Fists clenched, determination and willingness to win on their faces. There is a perfect harmony and you can feel that tonight is about victory. You are running to the field now and realize that someone has taken the goal posts. How will you score a goal now? How will you know whether you have won or not? Being excited without goals is like a rapidly spreading wildfire. It eventually leads to frustration. Goals give you the feeling that you are on the right path.

Would you hop on a train or plane whose destination is unknown? The obvious answer is: NO! Then why do people live their whole lives without having goals? Don’t be one of them! 

Make sure you have clear-cut short- and long-term plans. Put your ideas into perspective – if you need to, write them down and every time you wake up and before you go to bed, repeat them to yourself.