An individual’s goals are very personal. In fact, a well thought out goal hints at the person’s vulnerability and deepest desires. Not only do goals reflect a person’s desires, goals also have the incredible power to change a person’s life – if executed well of course.
However, due to the nature of such goals, people have a tendency to keep their goals and visions to themselves. But, there is great power in goal sharing.
The Power of Goal Sharing
Sharing your goals in life with others is an important success principle.
Have you ever wondered why weight loss apps encourage individuals to connect with other users, to post their weight loss goals, and their successes?
Studies show that men and women who publicly shared their weight loss goals lost more weight than those who didn’t.
This phenomenon applies to other goals too – not just weight loss related goals.
The truth is that your chance of actually achieving your goals is greatly increased when you share it with others for the following reasons:
1. You Gain Clarity
You gain more clarity about your goal and how to achieve it. In speaking your goal out loud, conversations with others may help you clarify and sharpen your goal.
Perhaps you knew you always wanted to apply to culinary school, but your friend is able to help you hone in on which specialty is best suited for you.
2. You Receive Accountability
Speaking it makes it real. Maybe your goal was written in a diary for over a year, or even longer.
Sharing your goal with a friend or family member makes the goal more real and no longer just a note in a journal.
Now, others can hold you accountable by asking you about the progress you’ve made towards reaching your goal.
If you want to be able to positively respond to those questions, you’ll quickly be motivated to take action and stay on track.
Here’s a related video that talks about how to set life goals.
What is an Accountability Partner?
Often, the term accountability partner is tossed around in the gyms or weight loss programs, but an accountability partner can help you reach any goal, fitness-related or not.
Having someone hold you accountable for your goal is an effective way to ensure that you actually reach your goal.
Accountability first and foremost can increase your motivation.
No goal can ever be met without self-motivation on your part, but unfortunately, motivation does not always come in abundance.
Sometimes we can supply our own internal motivation, but sometimes, especially during the most difficult parts of the journey, we need external support and motivation.
External motivation from a friend, who knows what you have committed yourself to, can come in the form of positive reinforcement and encouragement.
How to Choose an Accountability Partner
So who should you choose as an accountability partner?
The answer to this varies dramatically based on your circumstances and your goals.
Accountability can come from family members, friends with similar goals, colleagues at work, mentors, coaches, or personal advisors.
In fact, no matter what you do in life and no matter what your goal is, having a personal advisor is critical to being successful in meeting your goals.
No matter what you do in life and no matter what your goal is, having a personal advisor is critical to being successful in meeting your goals. @JackCanfield (Click to Tweet!)
It’s not always easy for people to share their most intimate visions or personal goals.
Do you share your goals with others?
If not, what is holding you back?
Sometimes individuals hold back because they are embarrassed about their goals.
They are afraid that others will mock their goal or say they are unrealistic. Of course, that could technically happen, but you don’t need to feel embarrassed if someone mocks your goals.
As long as your goals are well-planned and important to you, that is what matters. If someone does belittle your goals, then he or she is not the right accountability partner for you.
Look for support elsewhere.
Sometimes the fear of competition holds us back.
Have you ever heard of artists or musicians afraid to share their work because they don’t want others to steal the idea or compete with it?
Don’t let fear of competition stop you. Instead, focus on the benefits you’ll get from sharing with others.
Maybe you don’t share your goal because you think people won’t understand.
For instance, a teenager might not want to tell her parents she wants to join the army because she thinks she won’t get it.
However, through honest and open conversations, it is possible to share your goal and the reasons why you feel so passionately about your goal.
Connecting with other people allows them to gain clearer insight into you and your goals, which opens up the possibility of their support.
If you haven’t shared your vision or your goals with others, think carefully about what is holding you back. What can you do to overcome those obstacles?
Who is the best person that can act as an accountability partner for you? Tell them your goals, and ask for their support in keeping you on track. Leave a message in the comments if goal sharing has helped you.
As the beloved originator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul® series, Jack Canfield fostered the emergence of inspirational anthologies as a genre—and watched it grow to a billion dollar market. As the driving force behind the development and delivery of over 100 million books sold through the Chicken Soup for the Soul® franchise, Jack Canfield is uniquely qualified to talk about success. Jack is America’s #1 Success Coach and wrote the life-changing book The Success Principles: How to Get From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be and Jack speaks around the world on this subject. Check out his newest book The 30-Day Sobriety Solution: How to Cut Back or Quit Drinking in the Privacy of Your Own Home. Follow Jack at www.jackcanfield.com and sign up for his free resources today!
Image courtesy of Thought Catalog.
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