You set some goals and kicked off a new year intending to make it the best it can be! But now what? Too often, we set goals without an actual plan in place. As Benjamin Franklin once said, "If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail." No matter what you're trying to accomplish, you need to identify a path to get there – one that takes you from the present to the future you're envisioning! Today, get inspired for the year ahead and discover how planning actually helps you achieve your goals through planning.
How Planning Helps You Achieve Your Goals
1. Planning Gives You Direction
The biggest benefit to setting goals is knowing where you want to go in life! The process of planning your goals and the actions you need to take to get there gives you a sense of direction. Knowing the purpose behind your actions (also known as your "why") keeps you motivated and on track!
2. Planning Helps You Remember
Planning on paper gives us an advantage! According to Science Daily, "writing on physical paper can lead to more brain activity when remembering the information." When it comes to your goals, priorities, intentions, and plans – it's important to keep them top of mind. They're too easily forgotten when we get busy, overwhelmed, or burnt out. Writing them down commits them to memory! Better yet, review what you have previously written (and consider rewriting it) regularly.
For example, schedule a weekly planning session to write down your goals and the actions you'll take in the upcoming week to bring you closer to achieving them!
3. Planning Builds Your Confidence
Understanding your goals and purpose gives a boost to your self-confidence. How? While your goals and purpose are bound to change from time to time, simply knowing what they are – at least for the time being – increases your happiness which shines through in how you present yourself to the world. You'll feel more focused, you'll manage your time better, and you'll be more organized! Can't beat all of that, right?
4. Planning Reduces Stress (and Anxiety)
At Day Designer, you might hear us talking about boosting productivity and getting more done. But it's important to note that the goal isn't to be productive around the clock. By getting more done in less time, the goal is to create space for what's most important – including self-care, downtime, relationships, favorite activities, spending time outside, exercising, traveling, and more! These activities are known to reduce stress.
Plus, planning reduces anxiety by giving you a sense of control over what's to come! The act of planning in itself is calming, almost meditative, as it clears your mind. We're big believers in getting what's in your head out on paper. In fact, relying on a planner to serve as a central place for your commitments and plans reduces clutter – both physically and mentally.
5. Planning Leads You To Success
As you can see, there are many benefits of planning to achieve your goals! Ultimately, planning is the key to your success. We often want to dive right in and get to work without planning a course of action. However, as Inc. points out, "It's not about the plan, it's about the planning." Realistic timelines and proper time management lead to better decision-making and mini-successes along the way!
Are you inspired to commit to better planning in the year to come? Choose a planner that best fits your life and get started today.