When coaching clients say that they don’t need to write down their goals, I cringe. 

The conversation usually goes something like this,

“Let’s go over your goals, would you email me a copy?”

They say, “I don’t have anything on paper, I keep my goals in my head.”

“Why?” I ask.

The client answers, “I can remember them better them that way.” 

I find it difficult to understand this logic. From a goal-achieving standpoint, it isn’t the most efficient way to make goals reality. 

There’s an unstoppable energy that begins when you believe in your goals enough to write them down. You are making an emotional and physical commitment to doing what it takes to make your goals reality. 

Studies have proven that people who wrote out their goals accomplish significantly more than those who don’t write out goals. It has also been said that only about 5% of our population actually take the time to set goals. Setting goals is the first step but it is accomplishing them that can make the difference between success and wishing for something good to happen. If writing out your goals can actually increase the ability to turn goals into reality, wouldn’t you do it?

Here are my thoughts about writing out goals: 

1. Committing goals to paper helps you to verbalize and visualize more clearly what you want and why you want to achieve it. 

2.  As you read your goals, they begin to form mental motion pictures in your mind. The more vivid the pictures, the more your unconscious mind tries to make them reality. 

3. Goals written in a present tense and positive way become positive affirmations. The belief you have in yourself and your ability to achieve becomes stronger. 

4. Written goals help you emotionally keep those inner motivators strong and powerful.

5. Written goals provide focus. When you have focus, you write to-do lists that are more effective and goal achieving. 

I’m reminded of an interview I saw many years back with the actor Jim Carrey – Jim Carrey’s story might help, it certainly made a lasting impression on me.

When Jim Carrey first came to Los Angeles and was just starting out as an actor he drove to an overlook that provided him a view of Hollywood.  He took out a blank check and wrote -

Payable to: Jim Carrey

Dated: 3 years in advance

Amount: Twenty Five Million Dollars ($25,000,000)

Notes: For acting services

He carried that check around in his wallet for over three years (and maybe he’s still carrying the check). It was about three years later he was given the starring role in Ace Ventura Pet Detective. That movie was the beginning of a career that earned Jim Carrey much more than the amount on the check he’d written to himself.

What do you think, does writing out your goals help?

Copyright © 2010 Sharon Michaels – All Rights Reserved

For over twenty years Sharon Michaels has been writing, speaking and empowering women to achieve greater personal and professional success. Sharon mentors/coaches women entrepreneurs about learning to recognize the things they’re doing that may be keeping them from the things they want.

If you’re ready to recognize what may be holding you back and to seriously build on your strengths and talents, you’re ready to coach with Sharon Michaels. “I believe you have the answers to your success inside of you right now, it is my job to ask the right questions. I ask great questions!” Here are details about Sharon’s coaching programs: http://www.sharonismymentor.com

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