This one goal settings change will truly change your success rate!

We all have goals we want to achieve, right? Whether it's losing weight, getting that promotion at work, or finishing a project, goals keep us focused and moving forward. But have you ever stopped to think about how you set your goals? Are you focused on avoiding something negative or striving towards something positive? It turns out, the type of goal you set can have a huge impact on your success. There are 2 types of goals to be aware so let’s dig in.

First type are avoidance goals. These are the goals that revolve around avoiding something unpleasant or undesirable. For example, let's say your goal is to lose weight. An avoidance goal would have you focus on cutting out all the foods you love, constantly worry about calories, and feel guilty every time you eat something "bad for you." On the other hand, approach goals are all about striving towards something positive in this case setting your goal to achieve a fit and healthy body by eating nourishing foods and exercising regularly.

So, why do approach goals tend to be more successful? One reason is that approach goals are more positively framed, which ultimately boosts motivation. When you focus on what you want to achieve, rather than what you want to avoid, you're more likely to experience positive emotions like excitement, enthusiasm, and hope. For example, imagine you have an approach goal of running a marathon. You'll likely feel more motivated and inspired by imagining the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction you'll feel when you cross the finish line.

Whereas avoidance goals can trigger negative emotions like fear, anxiety, and worry because you are depriving yourself of something. For instance, with our losing weight goal, you may constantly worry about stepping on the scale and no change or feel anxious about eating certain foods that will increase the reading on the scale. These negative emotions can quickly demotivate you and make it harder to stay on track with your goals.

But it's not just about emotions. Approach goals also tend to be more specific and measurable, which makes it easier to track your progress and celebrate your wins. Let's say your approach goal is to save $10,000 for a down payment on a house. You can break it down into smaller, measurable steps like saving $500 per month or $125 per week. This makes it clear whether you're making progress or not, which gives you the opportunity to adjust your actions accordingly. On the other hand, avoidance goals can be vague and hard to measure. For example, if your avoidance goal is to not procrastinate on your work, it's difficult to quantify how well you're doing and track your progress.

Moreover, approach goals require self-regulation and self-control. When you set an approach goal, you're actively working towards something you desire, which means you need to exercise self-discipline and make intentional choices aligned with your goal. For instance, if your approach goal is to eat healthier, you'll need to resist the temptation of unhealthy snacks and make mindful food choices. This cultivates self-control and self-regulation skills that can be applied in other areas of your life as well, such as time management or decision making. On the other hand, avoidance goals may rely more on external cues or triggers to avoid negative outcomes, which may not develop the same level of self-regulation and self-control.

Lastly, approach goals are associated with a growth mindset, which is the belief that you can grow your abilities and intelligence through effort and learning. When you focus on what you want to achieve, you're more likely to view challenges as opportunities for growth and learning. This mindset encourages individuals to persist in the face of setbacks, view failures as temporary, and seek out feedback and strategies to improve their performance. On the other hand, avoidance goals may lead to a fixed mindset, where individuals view challenges as threats and failures as evidence of their incompetence, leading to a fear of failure and avoidance of challenges.

So, the next time you're setting a goal, remember to flip your focus from avoiding what you don't want to pursuing what you do want. Embrace approach goals and unlock the power of positivity and motivation in your journey towards success.

Let me know how you use this in your life as you set your next goals. And if you need help join my next free 2 hour goal setting workshop on April 19th . It is packed with engaging discussions, practical exercises, and real-world examples, to empower you with actionable strategies to achieve your goals and unlock your full potential. Sign up here!

You got this!

Lauren

Join renowned motivation and creativity expert Lauren St George for a dynamic Goal Setting Workshop on April 19th from 7-9pm ET! In this 2-hour session, you'll learn proven strategies to set powerful goals, overcome obstacles, and create a roadmap for success.

Led by Lauren St George, an accomplished coach and consultant with years of experience in helping individuals achieve their dreams, this workshop is perfect for anyone looking to level up their personal or professional life.

During the interactive goal setting workshop, you'll gain clarity on where to focus your energy, define meaningful goals, and develop a strategic plan to achieve them. You'll also learn effective techniques to stay motivated, overcome limiting beliefs, and cultivate a success mindset that will help you more effectively reach goals.

With engaging discussions, practical exercises, and real-world examples, this masterclass will empower you with actionable strategies to achieve your goals and unlock your full potential.

Don't miss this opportunity to invest time in yourself and take the first step towards transforming your dreams into reality with practical goals to get you there! Sign Up today!