Goal Setting Help in Round Rock, TX—Counselors and Therapists

Goal setting is an essential practice. Most people don’t give it a second thought but the act of setting goals yields considerable positive consequences. Surprisingly, a lot of people have difficulty with goal setting. Counselors and therapists at Thriveworks Round Rock can help. Our trained clinicians will assist you in setting goals to improve your well-being. Let’s explore the benefits of goal setting and how to start maximizing your potential.

Why is Goal Setting Important?

The following are benefits of setting goals:

1. Motivation

When you set a goal, you point yourself towards completing a task. Suddenly, you have created an objective that you need to get done. Just knowing that you have a goal motivates you to begin and finish the job. Also, achieving a goal motivates you to jump to the next challenge.

2. Organization/Focus

Having goals reminds you of what you need to get done. It organizes your mind and keeps you focused on what you need to accomplish. Without concrete objectives, you may not know where to concentrate your efforts. Additionally, working on your goal gives you an idea of how best to tackle your next project

3. Reinforcement

When you set a goal and complete it, it is very rewarding. That reward acts as a reinforcement and causes you to want to achieve more of your objectives. Nothing feels better than crossing tasks off your list.

4. Measuring Progress

Setting and completing goals is a good way to measure your forward movement. Meeting concrete objectives helps you recognize the progress you are making and what you have left to accomplish.

5. Good for the Self

Maybe most importantly, goal-setting is good for your sense of self.  When you achieve your objectives, it makes you feel good about yourself and improves your self-esteem. Additionally, goal setting proves to yourself that you can master your tasks and possess self-efficacy, the belief in your ability to get things done.

How to Set Goals

It is not enough to just set any sort of goal. It is necessary to follow certain rules so your goal-setting will achieve maximum benefits. Researcher Edwin Locke has been investigating goal setting for the past three decades. He has identified five critical guidelines to set productive objectives:

1. Clarity

Your goal must be clear and measurable. Setting general goals only leads to confusion as to whether you met your objective. For example, if you set a goal to exercise more this year, that is too general. What exactly is “more” exercise? You need to be more specific. Instead, say you will go to the gym three times a week for the next month. That is an achievable goal whose progress can be easily measured.

2. Challenge

Goals can’t be too easy. There is no use in creating an objective if it something that you can do without effort. Goals should be something you use to challenge yourself. You will have no motivation to attack a goal that you can do in your sleep. In addition, you will not receive the same feeling of reward for completing an easy goal. On the other hand, goals should not be too hard, or you will become frustrated and possibly lower your self-esteem if you find it unachievable.

3. Commitment

You need to be all-in on goals. Without a certain level of commitment, you aren’t going to get it done. You need to put in sufficient effort to complete a challenging goal. You also need to do whatever you have to do to maintain your commitment. For example, telling friends, family, or co-workers about your goal helps to keep you accountable and focused on your objective.

4. Feedback

You have to create a way to receive feedback about your progress. Feedback will let you know if the effort and strategy you are using to accomplish your goal are effective. In a work situation, your boss can fulfill that role with evaluations, etc. It is harder to receive feedback for personal goals. Ask a friend or family member to take on that role. Just don’t get angry with them for telling you the truth. Receiving feedback also serves another function. It allows you to adjust your goal if you find it is too easy or difficult.

5. Realistic Expectations for Complex Goals

If you have given yourself a challenging and complex goal, you need to allow enough time to accomplish it. In other words, set realistic expectations to achieve a tough task. For example, say you have taken on a very difficult project that most people would not be able to finish within a month. Yet, you give yourself two weeks to get it done. You have likely set yourself up for failure. You need to give yourself a chance to succeed or setting a goal will be counterproductive.

At Thriveworks Round Rock we want to help you get the most out of your life. Setting goals is a primary way to put you on a path toward success. If you feel a bit stuck, please call us at 512-212-7045 or schedule an appointment online.