Written Goals - Another Self Help Myth?
Thursday, June 21, 2007
We all know how important having goals are and I'm sure many of us have got into the habit of writing our goals down to help ensure success. I've been doing this since reading Unlimited Power by Anthony Robbins, where he quotes a study -
In 1953, researchers surveyed Yale's graduating seniors to determine how many of them had specific, written goals for their future. The answer: 3%. Twenty years later, researchers polled the surviving members of the Class of 1953 -- and found that the 3% with goals had accumulated more personal financial wealth than the other 97% of the class combined.
Seems great - and so simple, unfortunately it appears this study has never been done! Fast Company has a great article about it, as does Positive Psychology.
I'm not sure where this leaves me and my goals, intuitively I feel having written goals does help - but again where is this evidence for this?
4 comments:
This is an interesting find, Rob! Amazing that this featured in Fast Company in 1996! Another myth busted ;)
But I don't need to have a study to prove to myself that goal setting works. I have found that it is a powerful way towards achievements. I do keep a keen eye on having fun along the way :)
And as far as the writing down, I agree with Ariane that visualizing is much more important. Writing down a goal doesn't make it real for you, but visualizing a life where you have achieved it sure is!
The only real reason I write my goals down is to keep them at the front of my mind as they easily slip my mind otherwise. If you can keep that sort of focus without writing it down, than that's easier for you.
Organize IT
Hi!
People who understand the law of attraction don’t harbor negative thoughts about themselves- they know how to let go of the destructive thoughts and allow only the positive thoughts in.
Hey Rob,
I think it's another myth. All depending on Personality Type. I had a goal to be on Page one of Google for the term Professional Organizer NJ and I got there in about 7 months after a year, I was at number 3. I never wrote that goal down. In fact, I don't have a written business plan. It's in my head. And I was profitable in 6 months. If you can visualize it strongly enough, and you take action, you make it happen. Written or not.
That's my perspective!
Ariane