Benefits of goal setting

From New Year's resolution to a career goal, from gap analysis to SMART objectives; we all agree that goal setting is extremely important and there are many techniques to learn. However, the thing is, we still struggle to commit to our goals. I believe that one of the reasons is that we did not realize how beneficial a goal can bring. Therefore, I would like to share my personal stories of how I benefited from goal setting and hopefully make you want to take actions to your goals.

Set a goal puts you in the DRIVING SEAT

There are ups and downs in our lives. There are some days that we feel so hopeless and the circumstances seem cannot be changed by us. At that moment what we can do to help ourselves is to set a goal. Setting a goal not only shows that we can make a decision on our own and the little progress to achieve the goals save us from being negative. It is a technique used in some psychological therapy, we are the main character of the play and we can write a script that we overcome a harsh time and finally gain what we want.

I used to have a difficult time when I was a student-teacher. The problem is mainly about the policies and environment of the school, so it is hard for me to change. Every day, I felt so stressful but meaningless to go to work. Moreover, because of the high pressure at work, I lost weight rapidly and sometimes burst into tears without a reason.

Just at that moment, I found out there was a Korean language efficiency test and I decided to take the test since I came back from Korea several months ago and not had a chance to improve in Taiwan. After setting a goal of taking the test and get into the highest level, I immersed myself in Korean study and it helped me forget the difficult circumstances I was in. When I was taking a mock test that needs to strict on time, time flies. The time I had spent to sob became the time I improve myself. The funniest thing was, when there is some extra work I did not want to do, I simply said: “Sorry, but I have to prepare for a test…” And people knew that I really put a lot of effort into the test, basically, they just let me do want I want to do.

The test result turned out great. I got the scores to reach the highest level. But the most important thing for me is to be back in the driving seat of my life again and to feel that I am capable of many things. I can set a goal, make an action plan, and reach my goal. This reinforcement is even more precious for me than the happiness of reaching my goal.


Set a goal and gets MORE


When I heard people saying “oh…I want to have a boyfriend/ girlfriend.” I never felt like it is a silly goal; instead, I believe it is one of the most beneficial goals. For everyone, being in a relationship is never an easy thing, but especially for an introvert like me, it was extremely hard.

 Having conversation was not a fun thing for me not to mention being in a social event. I could not know people easily. Therefore, I try to step out to my comfort zone, try to participant in some social event basic on my hobby. And then I found out even though I forced myself to be there, I can barely talk to the people there.  So, I read books, practice how to start a small talk and set up some objectives like talk to at least 3 people in an event. At first, I need to remain myself, staying curious is the only key to continue a conversation, but the more I talk to people, I found myself naturally curious about others. I started to appreciate the difference between people and think about my value on many topics.

Originally, I set a goal to be in a relationship, but it turned out to give me more. I saved time to participant social events and this made me aware of my work-life balance. I talked to people from different backgrounds, it somehow makes me build professional connection. The conversational technique I’ve practiced helps me have more confidence in any situation that I have to talk, for example, public speaking or negotiation.  I became more open-minded and not afraid of being rejected. I heard more stories about how people start to exercise, start to dress decently, start to read or start to learn because they want to meet their dreamed one. The idea is straightforward, to reach your goal, you have to be a better you, which not limited in only one aspect. These good changes did not happen in a short time, but they all started from a simple goal.

A goal motivates us, makes us focus and makes us explore more.  A goal brings you to the destination you want but sometimes it brings you to a place which even better. Do you have any story about unexpectedly benefiting from a goal? Feel free to leave your comments below.