There are times to keep a secret, like preparing a surprise birthday party. Goal setting should not be kept a secret. Too often, though, we do not share our goals with those around us.
I know that there are things that you really want to accomplish that you have not shared with anyone. We all have those types of goals. Think of one of them right now. How long have you had this goal? Are you getting any closer to it each year? How important is this goal to you?
Too often we have these goals and never accomplish them. The reason is that no one will help you reach them or hold you accountable for not reaching them. If you are trying to quit smoking, but have not told your friends, you will continue to be placed in situations where they expect you to smoke. You almost feel obligated to continue even though you want to quit. I have a co-worker that told all of us about her goal to quit. We gave her daily encouragement. We were there for her to release her frustrations about her feelings as the days went by. She did not have to tackle this alone. She has now been smoke free for a few months.
I went for years with the goal of writing a book on leadership. I never told anyone and therefore did not make any real progress on reaching the goal. A few years ago, I started to tell friends about this goal of mine. They gave me the courage to tackle this dream. When I would bring up reasons why I could not do it, they would give reasons why I was wrong. I started pursuing it more. I finally told some of my family when I was about 1/4 of the way in writing it.
It was at that time, that I felt committed to the goal. We do not really commit to something that we keep a secret to ourselves. It is too easy to back down and give up or just keep putting it off. After telling my family of my writing goal, I told them that I would have the book written by a certain date. I became obsessed with working on the book. Faith Guided Leadership was published by my goal date.
Share your personal goals with your family, friends and co-workers. They will help you in so many ways to achieve them. Share your business goals with your team. They can give you great insight on how to achieve them. It is easier for them to attain a target if they know what they are aiming for.
I have had a personal goal of running a half marathon for at least 5 years and never told anyone. I kept telling myself that “next year” I will train for it and do it. This year, I told a few family members and now I have started the training and have registered to run the Country Music half marathon in April 2013. I am sharing my progress along the way so that you can hold me accountable.
What goal are you going to make public today? Leave a comment below for others to read. Do not keep it a secret anymore.
