The Power of Goal Setting

In this episode of the Franklin Planner Podcast, host George Wright III and co-host John Harding delve into the immense benefits of goal setting. They reveal that individuals who set goals are 10 times more likely to succeed, emphasizing the crucial role of writing goals down to increase productivity and focus. They explore the science behind goal writing, share practical tips on setting challenging yet achievable goals, and discuss the impact of goal setting on both personal and organizational success. The episode underscores the importance of clarity, accountability, and the Franklin Planner system in turning aspirations into actionable steps, leading to a more organized and productive life.

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Episode Timeline

00:32 – The Power of Goal Setting

02:31 – The Science Behind Writing Goals

03:55 – The Franklin Planner System

05:44 – The Importance of Specific & Challenging Goals

14:26 – Accountability and Social Support

17:17 – Overcoming Obstacles in Goal Setting

21:52 – Goal Setting for Organizations

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Episode Transcript

Welcome back to the Franklin Planner Podcast. I’m your host, George Wright III, and this is the podcast where we give you the strategies, tools, and resources to lead your team and create your best life. Today’s episode is all about the power of goal setting. And joining me is my co-host, John Harding, owner, board member, and Franklin planning expert.

Introduction

How are you doing, John?

George, I’m doing great. It’s an honor to be with you on this. This is really going to be hitting some big topics today, huh?

This is a fascinating subject. And I think everybody should be an expert on this, but let’s just find out as we go, because there’s some fascinating information and strategies in this one.

The Power of Goal Setting

Yeah, absolutely. We’re going to dive into the transformative power of goal setting, but we’ve got statistics, we’ve got strategies, and everything else. But maybe the best place to start is, John, we’ve heard that people who set goals are 10 times more likely to succeed than those who don’t.

Why Aren’t More People Setting Goals?

So why don’t they?

Yeah. This research you’re citing is from Kara Hutto. And just think about that—10 times. What if you could be 10 times more successful at accomplishing not what somebody else wants, but what you choose, like what matters to you with who matters most to you?

So that is a phenomenal statistic. And the research shows that I would say, you know, it’s not just about having that goal in your mind. But it’s being very specific about it and it includes writing it down, reviewing it, and being committed to it.

Well, you know, I think anybody would agree that 10x by simply writing a goal down is probably one of the most powerful strategies you can do.

The Power of Writing Down Goals

Why Is Writing Your Goal So Powerful?

So why do you think writing your goal is so powerful? Like, why is writing your goal one of those keys that makes it so much more powerful?

There is science around this, and the science relates to the power of writing, the power of paper. There’s also science around meditating and kind of tapping into your inspiration.

When you select a goal, it clarifies your thinking when you write it down. It also becomes this tangible record in front of you about your life. Some of the brain research is fascinating. I’m going to summarize it, and I can back this up, but we won’t go into this now. As you write down something like a goal, your brain immediately begins going to work on how to achieve that and how to bring that about.

And that taps into the amazing hardware and software that’s inside all of us to get that done. So writing helps you capture it, revisit it, and prioritize it on a daily basis.

Engaging Focus and Clarity

Yeah, it’s definitely a powerful way to anchor it down, but I think you made a good point that the science has shown that it also engages and taps into a whole bunch of other things like your focus, your clarity, your actions.

So, you’re saying it’s not just about writing the goal down, but it’s also about writing it more than once, right? And maybe, maybe you could tie in the Franklin Planner system. A lot of our listeners are using it to keep that a daily activity, right? Because you’re talking about not just writing your goal down, but writing it down and making it part of your daily ritual.

The Franklin Planner System

Right. And then, you know, the customers that we’ve had for over 40 years, and there’s scientific research to go with this, but I trust more than anybody, these customers that have been using this, what they say, and we have these testimonies. Let me just quote some: “The planner turns your aspirations into actionable steps, ensuring goals don’t get lost in the shuffle of everyday life.”

Now that’s a quote from one of our customers. But here’s the thing. If you reference one of our previous podcasts on the condition of overwhelm—just being pushed under—and then you think about the solutions to that, you know, clarifying who you are and deciding and making your plan daily and weekly, using the calendar, but using goals and actions. These go together well to help you really tap into the power of goal setting.

Turning Goals into Actionable Steps

I’ve learned that in my life specifically, and I know that even writing the goals down… we’ve all heard, “A goal not written is just a dream,” right? Just an aspiration, like you said. So, if we know that you can 10x your productivity by writing goals down, and if we know that it helps you clarify and neurologically and scientifically be more productive, focused, and aligned, then I think it’s pretty clear that people know they need to do goals.

Setting Specific and Challenging Goals

So, maybe we could turn the topic here for a second over to how people do goals and the importance of being specific, but also having challenging goals because we’re not talking about just easy goals, but also not goals that are so far out there that you don’t feel like you ever hit them.

What Makes Goals Powerful?

Let me give you the definition. This is a dictionary-based definition of goals just to kind of get on the same page, and I think it will start and draw us into this discussion. A goal is a desired result, an outcome, or achievement that an individual, group, or organization aims to accomplish within a specific time frame. Goals serve as a guiding focus, providing direction, motivation, and a sense of purpose.

Now, you may have heard the acronym SMART, which stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. To be clear and defined specifically, what a goal is brings power to it.

The Importance of Direction and Focus

Well, I also think, John, you made a good point because I liked that definition. I hadn’t caught it before when we were talking, but having direction brings clarity, brings focus, and brings productivity. And I love how it’s important for us to constantly talk about this is for an individual and a business. And if your business isn’t setting goals, how do you align your team in the right direction?

Balancing Specificity and Challenge

So I love that. But then going back to this idea of specificity and challenging goals, how would you add that to the mix?

Yeah, we’re kind of breaking down the components of it that help us understand it. So let me go a little further. And I would say this is kind of Franklin Planner’s addition of what a goal is.

So the key elements we would say of a goal are:

• Clarity: Clearly defined and understood
• Achievability: Realistic but ambitious, stretching you to the best of who you are
• Purpose-Driven: Rooted in an underlying motivation and positive need
• Time-Bound: Tied to a specific deadline or milestone
• Measurability: Helps track progress

Now, we would back off a little and say, hey, if you have a goal that fits this and it’s harder to measure, we would never back off the goal because it wasn’t easy to measure. So just keep that in mind. I hope that’s helpful. So think of this: getting specific and also making it challenging. There’s quite a bit of research around that people rise up and they’re more satisfied. They’re happier when it’s a challenge, even though it might be well within reach.

Visualization and Stretch Goals

Setting Stretch Goals

I agree with that. And I’ll tell you a little tip I’ve learned over the years that maybe might help our listeners because I always used to struggle with the reach goal because I was always thinking of myself, you know, I haven’t hit that, so I don’t know if I’m capable of that. Right? So I’ve learned over the last little while that when your goal is to help you live your best life and become the best version of yourself, and you know you’re constantly growing, evolving, and getting better, you’re smarter today than you were before.

Visualizing the Future Version of Yourself

What helps me a lot of times to set those stretch goals, those challenging goals, is to visualize where I’m going to be in the future. Because the future you would set that stretch goal. You might not, but you have to grow into your goals. And so I love how you say, you know, measurable, achievable, but stretch and challenge yourself.

And sometimes when you visualize the future version of yourself, that we’re all trying to accomplish through this podcast, I think that helps you to set those stretch goals. Because let’s be honest, if you were setting goals today for five years ago, you probably would have set much bigger goals knowing what you know now.

So you’ve got to look forward into the future to do that, wouldn’t you say?

The Franklin Planner as a Goal-Setting Tool

I would. And I think as you think about today, tomorrow, this week, and the future, I would just reference the power of the Franklin Planner system as this vehicle. Really, it is a goal machine, and it is a “become and lead your best life” machine.

The planner combines the power of a calendar, of days and time, and days and calendar. And, you know, there’s quite a bit of research around, uh, some of the research concludes, most of it concludes and says, you know, most people don’t set goals. And they don’t set them because they don’t want to achieve them or they aren’t aware of the power of how to do it.

Breaking Goals into Manageable Pieces

The planner is this beautiful combination of day by day, step by step, and it takes the fear out of it. It fills you with inspiration as you dream about what you can do and you’re clear about who you are. But then it logically and step by step gives you days, hours, weeks, and what’s powerful is each day you can gain confidence. You don’t have to have achieved everything, but by breaking it down into manageable pieces, you stay aligned with your goals.

The Importance of a System

The planner has been built, designed, and engineered to be a vehicle to help you achieve your best life by accomplishing a series of goals that add up to help you become who you want to be.

The Importance of Goal Setting

Let’s not forget the research shows that setting goals makes you 10 times more likely to succeed at what you want to achieve. And if you write those goals down, you’re 42% more likely to accomplish them.

But here’s the kicker—only 3% of people set goals and write them down. And yet, those 1-2% of people are the ones who succeed. That’s why it’s so important to spread the word about goal setting.

A Game Changer

It’s a game changer, John. The power of setting specific, challenging goals and having a system like the Franklin Planner can truly transform your life.

It absolutely is. Goal setting is essential to success, and with the right tools and mindset, you can achieve anything you set out to do.

Understanding the Science Behind Writing Goals

Uh, now I, I, so the writing down, we have, um, you know, research that we’ll do in a separate podcast, but lemme just remind our listeners and, and you and I just to. I don’t know, highlight this, that science, again, behind. What happens in the brain, the cognitive abilities, the chemicals in the brain, when you put pen to paper, pencil to paper, and write it down, that your brain begins immediately trying to solve for that goal.

And so, um, I think that’s a good stat. I think that’s a huge. I think reminding people of the power of that is key.

The Role of Accountability and Social Support in Goal Setting

How Accountability Increases Motivation

Let’s talk for a minute about one of the solutions I think helped a lot of people, and that’s accountability and social support. So how does involving other people with your goals help you to do better with your goals?

When you are able to articulate that goal and review it yourself, you also have the opportunity to share that. And the research shows that if you write a goal down and you share it with someone else, your odds of accomplishing that goal tangibly rise. The article written by David Johnson highlights how shared accountability fosters both motivation and your commitment to that goal.

Aligning Personal Goals with Team Goals

The Franklin Planner is meant to enable you to do that. Now, we always are thinking in this podcast, the individual setting and leading your own life, creating your own best life, and then as a leader and as a team in an organization. Imagine a team goal. Right. We know our personal goals, but the planner has this beautiful alignment where you bring your personal goals and aspirations together. Then, as part of a team, you align with the team goal.

The team then has the ability to huddle together to share accountability, build trust, and stay focused because the goal is specific. The odds that organizations can rocket their way to their goals are much greater if they tap into the blend of individual and team alignment.

Accountability Fosters Commitment and Motivation

Accountability is not just about making sure you get it done; it’s also about motivation. It bridges the gap between personal focus, work focus, and team focus. In goal setting, if you want to be more productive, 10 times more productive, you’ve got to have accountability as part of the mix.

Why Do People Struggle to Achieve Their Goals?

The Fear Factor and Lack of Understanding

Despite all the benefits and proof that it helps you be more productive, people still struggle to achieve their goals. Why is that? Well, you mentioned earlier that there’s fear, but as we break it down, most of the research shows that people may not understand how to go about it.

When you think about who you want to be, what your vision, mission, and values are, and you’ve achieved that private victory that Dr. Stephen R. Covey talks about, you’re ready to set goals to achieve those.

Setting Realistic Goals

One of the key success factors is establishing who you are, what matters to you, and who matters to you. As you set goals, you review them daily and schedule things that relate to what matters most to you. When you focus on the things that matter most, mental health improves.

However, some people fail to achieve their goals because they might set unrealistic ones, which can demotivate them.

The Power of Breaking Down Goals: A Personal Story

The Middle Teton Challenge

I love this story: The middle Teton sits just south of the Grand Teton in Wyoming. These mountains rival anything in Switzerland. I’ve climbed to the top with my skis, and it’s about 7,500 feet at the base and 12,804 feet at the summit. The challenge is getting to the top, but as you ski down, it’s much easier because you’ve built the strength.

The Franklin Planner helps you break things down step by step, making it possible to reach the summit, one step at a time.

Goal Setting in Organizations: Alignment and Success

The Power of Clear and Measurable Goals for Teams

When it comes to teams and organizations, the same principles apply as for individuals. First, be clear about your purpose, vision, and mission. Then, break down those goals step by step. The research shows that while most organizations have visited or written down their vision, mission, and values, not all have done so clearly or in a way that works.

Aligning Personal and Organizational Goals

The power of breaking it down, being clear in writing, and then having people be willing, committed, and inspired to unlock their best talent and ideas is a major success factor for teams. This clarity should also extend to the individual, which is where the Franklin Planner comes in, combining personal vision and organizational goals on the same page, week, and day.

Communication of Goals: The Key to Organizational Success

The clarity of your goals is important, but the communication of those goals within the organization is equally critical. You need a system or tool to help you manage those goals. The planner is that system, helping individuals and teams align and communicate clearly on their path to success.

The Power of Goal Setting for Personal and Business Growth

A Growth Strategy for Success

The number one growth strategy for both individuals and businesses is the power of goal setting. No matter how much innovation, marketing, or sales efforts you make, the power of goal setting, when implemented properly, has the ability to multiply your success 10 times over.

A Final Thought on Goal Setting

Just like the story of acres of diamonds, the potential to achieve incredible things is often already within our control. When you tap into that potential by writing down your goals and using a system that works, like the Franklin Planner, you unlock the ability to make your dreams a reality.

Conclusion: Implementing the Power of Goal Setting

If you’re listening to this episode, write your goals down. Make it part of your daily ritual. And if you don’t have a system, check out FranklinPlanner.com to get yourself one. It will make your life simpler, more consistent, and 10x more productive.

If you’ve learned anything or gained any value, make sure to like and subscribe to the podcast. Leave us a review and join us next time for more inspiring discussions around goal setting and achieving success.

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References

Franklin Planner Store – Shop for Planning Tools
https://store.franklinplanner.com/

Franklin Planner Blog – Goal Setting Tips
https://blog.franklinplanner.com/home-page/

The Power of Writing Goals Down
https://blog.franklinplanner.com/the-power-of-writing-things-down/

Daily Planning Leverages Time Through Increased Focus
https://blog.franklinplanner.com/practice-law-5-daily-planning-leverages-time-through-increased-focus/

How to Stay Accountable to Your Goals
https://blog.franklinplanner.com/the-value-of-accountability/

Franklin Planner – Personal Planner Systems
https://store.franklinplanner.com/planners/all-planners/all-planners/

Franklin Planner Training
https://service.franklinplanner.com/planner-training-your-way/