A goal is an idea of a possible future that one hopes to achieve. It is the desired result of one’s effort whereas a plan is a detailed proposal for achieving that goal. According to experts, setting goals helps create new behaviours and creates a new momentum for life. It channels your drive and gives you a long-term vision and short-term motivation.
As every year runs to a close, it becomes common to hear people talk about the goals they are making for the next year. Setting goals is not just a New Year’s thing. We set goals for a new month, a new academic session, and even a new era in business. We set goals ahead of every new era in our lives. For example, as a student, you may set goals for the new term or semester to study for a longer duration or to spend more time on a particular subject or course. As a business owner, you may set goals to increase sales or to get a new retail centre. Even as a spiritual leader, you can set goals to increase your congregation numbers and boost a sector in your ministry.
Goals have been set and now, plans need to be made. This may sound daunting to a lot of people. One of the problems most people face is indecision. Sometimes setting goals becomes a troubling thought as well. We do not want to think too much about what could happen in the next two, five, ten years or beyond. Perhaps, you have the tendency to over-analyze every choice you make. You ask, ‘Is this the right thing to do? Do I do it differently? How many people will judge me for this?’ The issue of indecision is common, especially for the younger generations – Generation Z and above. We live in a fast-moving, sensitive world where we need to be conscious of every step we take.
Read – Of Seasons and Anthills – An Article by Linda Achiaa Awuah, Ghana
Although the future is not one hundred per cent certain, nor do we have clear-cut images of what it will be like, we can still make plans to ensure that we do not go off course. You may be the kind of person to do things on a whim without goals, or plans, but just the happy-go-lucky kind. While that might work in certain situations, there are other vital aspects of life that require careful thinking and proper tailoring. It is not every situation in which we let fate ‘run its course’ that will yield a put-together outcome. You do not just jump into a tertiary institution or into a business without sitting down and outlining how you want to get into any of those. In addition, while in the university or running that business, you do not live so carefree and accept whatever life throws at you. You still need to set goals and make plans.
As I mentioned earlier, goals help us create new behaviours and gain new momentum for life. Creating an outline for what you want in the nearest future keeps you focused on the most important things. It keeps you on track with little to no distractions. It also keeps you streamlined on what you want to achieve. Your mind is focused on that very thing in front of you. Even those who prefer to do things spontaneously will find this lifestyle helpful in organizing thoughts and decisions.
However, making plans might give you anxiety which lots of people, including myself, experience. It is better to calmly think about the possibility that not everything might go according to plan. There are always worst-case scenarios. While this might be discouraging to hear or read, it is reality. We live in a world full of uncertainties. Rather than focus too much on the anxiety, think about the amount of work you can get done if things do go your way. Think of the positives.
Read – Planning after Failure – An Article by Luqmaan Rawat, South Africa
To make things less daunting, start small. Start with the simplest goals, like what you will do tomorrow. Make an outline of what you want to achieve the next day. Write the goal(s) in bullet points; call your relative, go to the market, do the laundry, go to the hairdresser’s, call five customers, go to that business meeting, among others. Then, go ahead and plan for the day after that, and the day after that. Then, the whole week, and for the month, and the next month. Create the possible future that you want.
Do not be afraid to pick up that notepad or open that empty Word template. Visualize what you want to do next. Write down how you are going to make those ideas or dreams a reality. Transfer those thoughts from your head to digital or physical paper. It takes one step at a time. If you want to start a business, write down that business plan. If you want to write a novel, create your outline. If you even want to go shopping, write that budget list. No matter how little it seems, everything matters. You can even start with the new year. What do you want to do in the year 2022? What do you want to do right now?
Let me end this article with this cliché: if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Seize the reins of your tomorrow, and make those plans as soon as possible.
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