Moving from Intention to Action, Part 2
Make no mistake - behavior change is complicated.
It is complicated to face our own selves and unravel why we behave in certain ways.
It is complicated to identify reasons we are motivated to change and know the patterns to alter.
It is complicated to navigate social influences and experiment with new behaviors.
It is complicated to disrupt current habits while also trying unfamiliar actions.
Changing behavior is so much more complicated than deciding to adopt a new behavior. We have to be open to embracing the change process as dynamic and unpredictable. We have to adopt patience with the complexity involved in disrupting ingrained behaviors. We have to be ready to draw upon our tenacity and perseverance to stick through the ups and downs of creating the changes we desire.
However, while the behavior change process is complicated, it is also completely possible - especially with the right tools at hand. Last month, we looked at the research and strategies for setting intentions to help us initiate the change process. Now, let’s explore the next evidence-based strategy for creating the behavior changes we envision - setting goals.
Goal Setting for Behavior Change
Goal setting is a topic with which we are all probably fairly familiar. In fact, in the world of wellness and wellbeing, goal setting may be one of the topics that is most frequently mentioned! We all have set goals at some time in our life and for all kinds of reasons. We know that goals help us become focused, start new behaviors, and organize our time. And yet, how often have you gone through the motions of setting an important goal but then experienced hit or miss success with achieving it?
Setting goals is not a radical or new strategy for creating behavior change. According to the research, goal setting is actually one of the most historically successful strategies for establishing new behaviors. What is often missing, though, is that we do not truly understand how goal setting really works. We use formulas to get the initial words out, “I will…”, but we fall short in detailing the parallel action plan, execution plan, strategies to overcome obstacles, and the grounding why to make the goal meaningful.
How, then, does goal setting really work?
At the core, goal setting works when it comes to behavior change by helping us focus attention, provide direction, generate motivation, and keep us accountable. Setting goals is taking the next step from setting an intention. It is through goal setting that we take the hopes and dreams for the life we envision, then develop and enact the plan to make it happen. Michael Hyatt, the author of Your Best Year Ever, captured how goal setting works when he wrote, “Great results don’t just happen. You don’t usually drift to a destination you would have chosen. Instead, you have to be intentional, force yourself to get clear on what you want and why it’s important, and then pursue a plan of action that accomplishes your objective.”
So how can this help us in changing behavior?
Changing behavior through goal setting requires thinking beyond the intention we set to building a plan of action with execution tactics. Not only do we need to consider what behavior we want to change and what goal we believe will help us achieve change, we also have to determine what makes it meaningful, what is motivating us, the steps needed for execution, and how we will deal with the roadblocks that will inevitably arise. Through this detailed understanding of our goals, we are better able to make goal setting work for us.
Ready to take goal setting to the next level? Here are some questions to use to guide in meaningful and effective goal creation:
Is my goal specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART)? If you need more information on writing SMART goals, follow the link above or search online for a plethora of information.
Have I written my goal down and made it visible? Writing goals makes them more real and builds commitment; keeping goals in view is a key to success.
Do I have a plan for when obstacles come up? When life happens, what will be plan B or even plan C to help keep on track? Having a back-up plan is an effective technique for staying the course.
How will I hold myself accountable? And what is the time frame for checking in and adjusting my goals as needed? We all need accountability, and setting up a plan for checking progress is the best way to know when we are moving towards our goals.
How will I practice self-compassion and kindness towards myself? Executing goals rarely goes completely as planned. Ensuring that we are reflective and kind to ourselves keeps us in the growth mindset for making change.
Setting effective goals can be a game changer when it comes to behavior change. It allows us to build appropriate execution plans and support strategies to be able to bring visions of wellness and wellbeing to life. And while behavior change may be complicated, it is through setting goals that we can be begin to execute that life we envision as our best self.
What goal will you set for yourself today?