We all want that picture-perfect life, amazing friends, a rewarding career, a loving family. Yet, so few of us are actually able to attain it.

We bend over backward to build a strong social network but find ourselves feeling empty after each outing.

We spend years of our lives chasing the dream job, only to look at the past decade and ponder, “What the hell was I doing?”

And we strive to embrace, to open up, to connect, yet we always end up hurting ourselves or hurting others.

Why? Because most of us aren’t living in our purpose, which is why reflecting on what you want to accomplish can literally change the direction of your life.

Goal setting is the first step of successful achievement. It marks your first point toward prosperity.

It’s when you switch from living passively to being an active creator of your life.

Let’s dive into why setting personal goals can help you live the prosperous life you deserve.

What are Personal Goals?

When you set personal measurable goals, you choose an objective you want to achieve and establish measurable criteria to distinguish what you’ve done.

These measurements provide clear direction and motivation to reach your goals.

You can follow your progress because you always have a fixed endpoint or benchmark to compare.

If you set measurable goals, you can:

• Monitor your progress
• Celebrate Milestones
• Improve areas that don’t perform well

Assessing your performance creates excitement and motivation, and helps build momentum in achieving your goal.

Having measurable goals gives you the focus and responsibility needed to achieve them.

How Do You Set Personal Goals?

There is a reason why setting goals can change your direction in life. Without any plans or goals, you tend to go with the flow.

When you establish personal goals you want to achieve, you have a clearer picture of what you want, taking more control of your life and where it is headed.

If you’re lost on where you want to go in life, it may be a good idea to organize some SMART goals.

George T. Doran, consultant and former director of corporate planning at Washington Water Power Company, introduced SMART goals in 1981 as a tool to create criteria to improve the chances of achieving a goal.

So what does SMART mean exactly?

S – Specific: When setting a goal, be specific about what you want to accomplish.

M – Measurable: What metrics are you going to use to determine if you meet the goal?

A – Achievable: This focuses on how important a goal is to you and what you can do to make it attainable.

R – Relevant: Relevance refers to focusing on something that makes sense with your other goals.

T – Time: Anyone can set goals, but if it lacks realistic timing, chances are you’re not going to succeed.

When you take control of your future, there’s no telling how much more you can accomplish!

Why are Personal Goals Important?

Without goals, you lack focus and motivation.

Focusing on your goals can be hard work, but it helps you identify what you think is important in life.

Let’s say you set a goal to create a new business.

Even though you have no idea how to make it happen, the act of setting a goal gives you a focal point.

As you brainstorm for ideas, you realize you can start by:

• Examining local markets and brands
• Studying what people like
• Developing or mastering any skills

If your goals are inspiring, you have long-term direction and short-term motivation.

If your goals are not motivating, you simply won’t act from the start.

Setting personal goals makes you responsible for your own actions. Instead of just talking about it, you are now obliged to act.

Imagine the difference if more accountability helped you achieve your goals faster and easier.

Well, it can! Remember, no one knows the goals you set, and what do other people achieve when you achieve your goals?

In the process of:

• Setting certain personal goals and targets
• Determining whether you are on the right track and, if not, what to do about it.

You become responsible for your own decisions.

Setting goals can be a challenge, but if you hold yourself accountable to your own standards, you gain a sense of satisfaction.

Personal Goals Vs Professional Goals

We have focused a lot on setting personal goals, but what about setting professional goals? What’s the difference?

Professional goals are general goals that will help you realize your version of “success” in the working world.

They can be tied to:

• Education: For example, one of your professional goals might be to finish a master’s degree in your field.
• Work or business: You may have a professional goal to get a promotion with your current employer if you plan on staying long-term.

Professional goal setting consists of improving the skills necessary to perform your role as effectively as possible and is something that will continue throughout your working life.

Personal goal setting is about improving your talents and potential, both in and out of the workplace.

Everyone can benefit from having both personal and professional goals.

When they are measurable, attached to a timeline, and focused on what you truly want for yourself, they become real.

Start Setting Your Goals Today

People need a sense of purpose in their lives, and setting personal goals can give you that.

Without a purpose, you only exist day-to-day long enough to call yourself alive.

Although you aren’t truly “living,” aren’t you? Today, you can start living your best life, and we can help.

For 20+ years, we have been helping intelligent people like you realize their full potential by helping you achieve one goal at a time.

Whether it’s improving your social life or simply being happier daily, we offer the proven framework and support you need to improve your life today.

Learn more about our one-on-one coaching programs, and let your goals get you one step closer to personal success!