An exceptional few: Are you the three percent?

By NANCY PROFFITT, President of Proffitt Management Solutions and Proffitt Management Leadership Institute

Do you have clearly defined written goals? Or are they just in your head? Research shows that those people who actually sit down and write out their goals not only end up achieving them, but have higher incomes and greater perceived success and life satisfaction.

Mark McCormack, in his book What They Don’t Teach You at Harvard Business School, tells of a Harvard study conducted between 1979 and 1989. In 1979, the graduates of the MBA program were asked, “Have you set clear, written goals for your future and made plans to accomplish them?” It turned out that only 3 percent of the graduates had written goals and plans. Thirteen percent had goals, but not in writing. Fully 84 percent had no specific goals at all.

Ten years later, in 1989, the researchers found, they found that the 3 percent of graduates who had clear, written goals when they left Harvard were earning, on average, 10 times as much as the other 97 percent of graduates all together.

Almost all successful people have goals, and outstanding high achievers have clearly defined written goals. That said, how come so few people actually write out their goals?

Why We Don’t Set Goals?

There are four main reasons people don’t set clear goals and write them out. Many people say they can’t be bothered to take the time to sit and write them out, preferring to keep them in their heads.

The real reasons are probably deeper, involving the fact that if goals are kept in “the head,” they are easy to change, revise and ignore. This avoids accountability and facing failure. Looking further into the psychological reasons, we find the following four factors:

1. First, most people don’t realize the importance of goals.

Setting goals is a habit and a matter of ATTITUDE – Yours… Start NOW! Your ability to set and achieve goals will have more of an effect on your life than any other skill.

2. They don’t know how to set goals.

Some people confuse goals with dreams and wishes. A goal is different. Successful goals meet the following criteria:  Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistically high (you have to stretch to get there) and Time specific. Of course they must be written.

3. They have a fear of failure.

If goals aren’t written down, we can change them to match what is actually achieved without having to face any feelings of failure. No one will know!

4. They have a fear of rejection.

The fourth reason people don’t set clear, written goals, is that they fear they will be seen by others as ridiculous if they fail. They don’t want to face criticism or be seen as incapable or unworthy. With the exception of sharing your goals with your coach, a mentor or a trusted peer, you should to keep your goals private.

3 Reasons Your Goals May Not Work

There are three main reasons why your goals may fail to inspire and motivate change.

1. The goal isn’t valued enough

You haven’t committed your mind and heart. It doesn’t align with your values. It may be something someone else thinks you should do, or, it may compete with other values you find more important.

2. Your goal isn’t specific

It’s too broad and overwhelming. While “getting fit” is admirable, it really isn’t a goal — rather the outcome of working out regularly, doing sports and eating less junk food.

3. Your goal isn’t supported

You don’t have a coach or mentor to keep you focused, cheer you on in your little successes, or to help you come back after a setback.

Once you have aligned your goals with your true values and life purpose, you will find them easier to accomplish. The energy will flow, because the goals are an expression of your true self.

The best way to get support for your goals is from a coach. Friends and family members may be helpful, or not.

A professionally trained coach is an expert at helping you to achieve what you want. He or she can also help you with the goal setting process to ensure that your achievement of your goals is your true measurement of success.

Nancy Proffitt, MBA, Certified Business Coach is the president of Proffitt Management Solutions and Proffitt Management Leadership Institute, an internationally recognized Leadership coaching firm dedicated to unleashing the full potential of individuals and organizations. She may be reached at 561-682-6060 or email: Nancy@proffittmanagement.com . Visit her website at www.proffittmanagement.com