Goal Setting is Good
Goal setting seems natural at the start of anything new like the New Year, but goal setting is good any time. Goal setting increases our motivation and goals provide positive direction. The more challenging the goal, the sweeter the success once we achieve it.
“Through goal setting, we raise the bar in relation to our own potential and push ourselves to achieve things we only hoped were possible. – Positive Psychology
How to Set Good Goals
Start by dreaming big and being optimistic! Sounds fluffy, but hope and optimism are tied to successfully reaching goals.
When you set goals and make a Plan with specifics about when and where you are more likely to follow through. This is called an “implementation intention” and it works to focus our attention and get our mind to start working on problem solving about how we’ll actually turn our intention into reality.
For example, “I am going to save more this year” vs. “I am going to save $2400 this year by setting up an automatic transfer of $100 of every paycheck to my savings account.” [P.S. This is done for you in The Beans app] Research shows that when you write down a goal, and the actions you’ll take to achieve it, you increase the likelihood of achieving that goal.
The Follow Through
You’ve thoughtfully created your goal, now what? First, write it down. The act of writing improves your ability to remember your goals and it’s a tangible reminder of where you want to go.
Review and revisit your goals often. How often? That depends on the goal. If your goal is to pay down $2,000 in credit card debt by the end of the year by making one extra payment per month then mark your calendar for a monthly check in. Better yet, tell someone you respect about your goal and check in with them about your progress. We are wired to not let the people we respect down, so you’ll get a boost in priceless motivation just by sharing your goal with someone whose opinion you value.
Want a bonus, unexpected strategy? Give advice to someone who is struggling with a similar issue. You might hesitate to give advice about something you haven’t yet mastered, but ultimately, you will not only help them, you will also motivate yourself.
Research shows that when you offer advice to others regarding your goal your motivation and ability to follow through increases. When we offer advice we reference positive ideas and memories and increase our motivation and ability to follow through.
Whether you make resolutions or not, taking time to write out your financial goals for 2023 is a great idea. Make a Plan and success is within reach!