Did you know that people who write down their goals are 42% more likely to achieve them? There’s something about the human brain that loves accountability. If there’s something you want to do in your life or career, giving yourself a deadline will help you accomplish it. Here is an inside look at how personal deadlines can help you succeed.
Why It’s Important to Have a Deadline
Why a Deadline?
Deadlines do something to our brains. They create a sense of urgency instead of giving you the freedom to “get around to it.” When we give ourselves too much flexibility, the human desire to procrastinate often takes over. By having a time frame in which something needs to be done, you have no choice but to sit down and finish it.
Set Achievable Goals
When determining your goals and deadlines, it’s important to establish something achievable. That doesn’t mean you can’t reach for the stars, but make sure you have something you can realistically accomplish. For example, if you want to create art, your final goal can be “get featured in a gallery show,” but your deadline should be “finish the piece.” You can apply that to any endeavor.
Do What You Love
There is a universal truth when it comes to accomplishing things in our lives. If you don’t love what you’re doing, you’ll never do it. An element of enjoyment or passion is necessary for you to put effort into a goal. That doesn’t mean there aren’t tasks that you may not enjoy that are a part of everyday life, but make sure that your desired accomplishments are things you love to do.
Use Whatever Technique Feels Natural
A lot of people will advise using SMART goal setting. SMART stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. This strategy can be great for many things, but it isn’t the only way to accomplish something. Whatever motivates you should inform your process, or you’ll procrastinate again if you force yourself into one mold.
Do you want to give yourself a deadline for finding a great new job?
Contact the team at Recruiting in Motion to get started today.
