A goal is defined as an aim or objective that you would like to achieve, whereby you focus your efforts to achieve your desired results.
“If you aim at nothing you will hit it every time” by Zig Ziglar
Here are 5 great reasons why you should have one;
1. Goals Give You Focus
They are the first step in every journey. It gives us a sense of direction which allows us to focus our energy and mind on the goal and achieve it. In a therapy setting this is crucial as the whole family are focused on achieving the same goal. For example, if you’re goal is for the child to sit independently on a bench the whole family could get involved. By making small changes such as encouraging the child to reach for objects such as toys, drinks and snacks throughout the day instead of just handing them to the child will increase core strength and improve balance which will help reach the goal of independent sitting. This focused approach means that the child’s core strength will improve much quicker as everyone is on the same page.
2. Goals Motivate You
By having a clear goal you can focus your time and energy towards them. This helps develop motivation to achieve the goal. It is therefore important to set the right goal for that child & family. The therapist can make suggestions but it should always be agreed by the child and the parents so that they are motivated to achieve the goal. I often find that parents are motivated during therapy sessions as they see what their child can do when we focus on a specific goal. They get to observe different exercises that will help us reach that goal, so they have lots of fun ideas of ways to incorporate therapy into every day life. To build core strength we can ask the child to sit on a bench and reach for objects, stand and reach for objects, challenge balance by standing on one leg, wobble boards etc all can be done with support or independently depending on the child’s stage of development.
3. Goals Allow You To Measure Progress
Probably one of the most important reasons to set goals. There are hundred’s of ways you can go about achieving your goal, so it’s important to measure your progress and assess your plan. You may need to adjust your approach, put more time and effort in, progress the programme or continue on. Reflecting on how far you’ve come and what is or isn’t working is a great insight to have to ensure you continue to improve and grow. If a client’s goal is to walk up stairs independently, they could achieve this by practicing on the stairs or by building core strength, working on balance or perhaps their glutes are weak and therefore they’d benefit from isolated strength work. Measuring progress is also an amazing way to stay focused and motivated.
4. Goals Encourage You To Take Action
Having a concrete goal that you are working towards can make you more accountable therefore, your more likely to take action. If your goal is a big one it may cause you to procrastinate, so another option is to break it down into smaller, short term goals. Which in the long run get you closer to your big (long term) goal. Many parents focus on the goal of their child walking independently however, this can take years and feel impossible when your child can’t even sit unaided. Instead focus on achieving the next functional movement in their development, for example head control, sitting independently, crawling, pull to stand or side-stepping. Each stage of development builds skills, strength and confidence that will be crucial for the long term goal of walking independently. Working towards those short term goals feel more attainable, you are therefore more likely to take daily action towards achieving them. And as we know consistency is key !
5. Goals Stop You Being Distracted
By setting goals you stay focused on what you aim to achieve. You can ignore distractions and say yes to opportunities that will get you closer to your goal. For example, if you are planning a family activity for the weekend and have to choose between the cinema or going to the park for a walk you would choose the latter as it would get you closer to your goal of walking independently. Or you could do both, because you are clear on what your aiming for.
Research has shown that, if you have a goal in your head you are 10 times more likely to be successful at achieving it than those without a goal. If you write down your goal you are 30 times more likely to be successful than those without a goal.
That is why goal setting in all areas of your life can help you grow, develop and achieve amazing things.
