Why Goal Setting Is Beneficial

The beginning of the year is the perfect time for goal setting. According to a December 2020 survey , 59 percent of people ages 18 to 34 said they already had a goal planned for 2021. 

Among those surveyed, some of the top goals include being healthier physically and mentally and focusing on finances. Whether your goal for the new year is to be healthier, learn something new, or get your finances in order, here are some of the reasons goal setting is beneficial.

It’s How Our Brains Work

One of the things that sets humans apart from other animals is our brain’s ability to plan . Humans—generally—act based on planning instead of solely on instinct. So when we set a goal and plan how to achieve it, we’re using our brains’ executive function.

Goal Setting Provides Focus

Do you ever feel like you’re just coasting through life without anything changing or getting better? That’s because you’re not setting and achieving goals. When you have a goal, you give yourself a vision of the future and a direction to get there. If you’re not regularly setting and achieving goals, you could be wasting your time and resources, and you risk living an unfocused life. 

It Helps You Improve Your Life

When you set a goal for yourself, you’re establishing a plan to improve your life. Setting goals can help you spark new behaviors and give you new momentum moving forward. Whether your goal is long term (like graduating from college) or shorter term (like losing 10 pounds this year), you’re charting a new course for yourself. If your goal is a diploma, you’re committing yourself to expand your horizons and learn, and possibly start a new career at the end. Losing 10 pounds may not seem like a lot, but it could also lead to lower blood pressure, better heart health, and a longer life. Regularly setting and achieving goals helps you become the person you want to be: your best self .

It’s the beginning of the year, and 2021 is still a blank slate. That makes it the perfect time to set goals for yourself, whether they’re short term or stretch well into the future. Setting goals helps us use our brains, provides focus, and can improve our lives. At Somerset , our goal is to continue providing everything you need to live happy. What’s yours?