5 Powerful Reasons Why You Should Write Down Your Goals

By Amanda Dudley

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 Everyone on earth (including your cat) has goals – from the Forbes-worthy plans to the downright ridiculous ones that would probably top the “craziest life goals you’ve ever heard of” list. The 6-year old girl down the street wants to own Disneyland someday, while your cat probably wants to become the only owner of your house. These targets can all be achieved. However, the big question is how? How do you stop your purposes from just ending up as unchecked items on a bucket list?

 

 

Even though there’s no clear-cut formula for success, one way to ensure that you can actually achieve your goals is to write them down. In fact, psychological studies have shown that people who write down their goals are 42% more likely to achieve them than people who don’t. But don’t just take our word (and statistics) for it.

Here are five solid reasons why writing down your aims is a surefire formula to success:

 

1. Increases motivation

Most people say that the Bermuda Triangle is the hardest thing to find. However, this isn’t exactly true. You know what’s harder to find? Motivation when you need it the most. An easy solution to this problem would be to set a goal and then write it down immediately. Studies have revealed that when you write down your targets , the motivation to achieve them increases substantially. Subconsciously, you would feel committed to the objectives you’ve written down and as such, take the necessary steps to achieve them.

 

 

2. Makes it easier to remember

With the hustle and bustle of modern life, it’s far too easy to get distracted and forget about any goals or New Year resolutions you may have set. However, putting your aims on paper helps to enhance remembrance. The generation effect is a phenomenon when a person finds it easier to remember information generated by their own mind, rather than information they read or picked up from a book. When you write something, your brain automatically assumes that it’s important and focuses on it.

 

 

3. Helps clarify your goals

Let’s admit it, our objectives can be a little vague and non-specific sometimes. However, writing down your goals would help to narrow your focus and clarify what you really want to do. This way, there’d be no room for confusion or dilly-dallying.

 

 

4. Enhances hope

Hope is one extra reason why you should be writing your objectives as soon as you set them. When it comes to achieving one’s aims and aspirations, hope is an essential factor. “Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success.” — Pablo Picasso.

 

 

5. Sets boundaries between wishes and goals

What’s the difference between a goal and a wish? Before your goal is written down, it’s just one of your thoughts or longings. However, the moment you pen down your aims, you give it substance and transform it from a wish to a target. It becomes something real and tangible. Any dream or goal can be achieved eventually. Writing down each goal spurs your subconscious into action and transforms your passive longing into actual targets.