Why you should WRITE DOWN YOUR GOALS if you want to achieve them!!

My wife makes fun of me all the time because I write everything down - my daily to-do list, my weekly plan, monthly plan, 1-year, 5-year, 10-year. I have always felt that writing things down for me helped to keep things organized. The most successful people I've met over my lifetime always seem to be diligent about writing things down and taking notes. They carry a planner or notebook with them at all times or they are diligent about taking notes in their tablet/laptop.

Writing things down for me is truly magical. The act of putting it down on paper I feel forces me to be more specific. The key though is NOT to prioritize mundane daily tasks, but rather to help yourself focus on your TOP priorities. Life is extremely busy for us all - it's easy to get distracted by time consuming, less-important activities. There is a clear difference between being productive and being busy.? The act of putting pen to paper activates areas of the brain that help with comprehension and memory.? It also engages more senses and neurons than typing on a keyboard does.

What's your most important goals for 2024? Where will you be one year from now? What resources/support do you need to get there? Are your goals written down? A goal is a dream with a plan and a deadline. Your dreams become goals when action is taken towards their achievement. Every successful person I've been associated with also has a zeal for goal setting. Your goals are also going to require change/hard work. Are you prepared to make these changes/sacrifices? We all know the definition of insanity, right? Doing the same thing over and expecting different results.

The biggest hurdle most of us face is our own self-doubt. You must envision yourself winning before you can win. At my desk is my Vince Lombardi quote (that I got from the Football Hall of Fame in Canton), Winners Never Quit, and Quitters Never Win! I'm not sure what 2024 has in store for us, but there will definitely be obstacles/hurdles.

This year, try writing down your goals, make sure they are specific, measurable, realistic, follow-up on them often, have them in a place that you will check in on them and hold yourself accountable. Share them with others, and ask them to share theirs with you. Be each other's accountable partner (like a gym partner, it's more fun and more productive when you are grinding it out with others). Good luck!

Like we say here at USI with each other and our clients, we're all in this together!