I have written several posts about goal setting. Goals help you focus on what you want to accomplish. I know I can get really excited and energized bout my goals.
The common advice is to tell people about your goals. The premise is that if you tell people you are running a marathon, you will be motivated to follow through and do it.
I suggest not telling people about your goals. Goals are just ideas that are easy to claim. No one is really impressed that you plan to hike the Application Trail. They are impressed that you hiked the Application Trail.
“The fool shouts loudly, thinking to impress the world.” – Marie de France
There is a risk that you can subconsciously convince yourself that you accomplished your goal before you really do it. Announcing a big goal can have its own satisfaction, and then left there. The dream can be satisfaction enough.
Delay that satisfaction until you accomplish your goal. You may need to tell a few people, but these people should be key people who you will need to achieve your goal.
People will be more impressed with your results. Once you accomplish your goal, even then limit your announcement. First, it can come across as gloating. Gloating is not something most people admire. Second, you add to your character by letting your accomplishments speak for themselves. Let your accomplishments be discovered by others. A great accomplishment that is later discovered by others adds more to your character than anything you can control through your announcement.
I know people, and I know you do too, that announce great plans and ideas of what they will accomplish. I feel badly for them when I never hear another thing about it. But when I discover that someone has done something great, I want to learn more about them.
“The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers. But above all, the world needs dreamers who do.” – Sarah Ban Breathnach
What impresses you about other people’s announcement of their goals?
What goal did you announce that you never accomplished?
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