January 5, 2022 - JOLT - Scientific research impacting the quality of your 2022 - CareerGuy.com

January 5, 2022 – JOLT – Scientific research impacting the quality of your 2022

By Darrell Gurney | Blog

Jan 05

“Decide what it is you want, write it down, review it constantly, and each day do something that moves you toward those goals.”

Jack Canfield

 

Trust and abiding by science has been challenging

in recent times, and I have not been as “woke” about it myself in some ways.

And yet here’s a big scientific revelation: the degree to which the good intentions and goals you and I have mused upon coming into this new year — the changes we want to make, the dreams we want to fulfill — will be directly related to what we do with those goals.

You’ve likely heard of the Harvard study where folks were followed for decades and those with written goals were so much richer? Well, Dr. Gail Matthews Dominican University discovered that study was an urban myth. . .but in conducting her own, she proved that not only writing out your goals but actually taking action, communicating them to others, and being held accountable for them is where the real riches lie.

OK, you’ve likely heard this before, but maybe it will stick with you this time, as it did with me last night when presented with the science:
How it worked:

Participants in Group 1: were asked to think about their goals (what they wanted to accomplish over the next 4 weeks) and then asked to rate that goal acccording to difficulty, importance, the extent to which they had the skills and resources to accomplish the goal, their commitment and motivation to the goal, whether or not they had pursued this goal before and if so their prior success.

Participants in Groups 2-5: were asked to write (type into an online survey) their goals and then to rate their goals according to those same dimensions.

Group 3: was asked to formulate action commitments based on those goals.

Group 4: was asked to formulate action commitments and send their goals and action commitments to a friend.

Group 5: was asked to formulate action commitments and send their goals, action commitments and weekly progress reports to a friend. This group also received weekly reminders to email quick progress reports to their friend.

At the end of 4 weeks participants were asked to rate their progress and the degree to which they had accomplished their goals

In a nutshell: This study provides empirical evidence for the effectiveness of three coaching tools: accountability, commitment and writing down one’s goals.

Our best wishes on a goal-fulfilling New Year of great accomplishment by you in 2022. And remember: you’ve got a friend.

Think differently, play better.

Radically,

Darrell
CareerGuy and Back Forty Freedom Flier

Got an ear for science and a goal for fulfillment?

“A goal that is not written is not a goal. It only becomes real when you write it down.” [and do sooooooo much more]

Bryant McGill

About the Author

DARRELL W. GURNEY, Executive/ Career Coach and 20-year recruiting veteran, supports people at all levels to make fulfilling and profitable career transitions. His first book, Headhunters Revealed! Career Secrets for Choosing and Using Professional Recruiters, was winner of the Clarion Award for Best Book by the Association for Women in Communications and was reviewed in Publishers Weekly. His newest book, Never Apply for a Job Again: Break the Rules, Cut the Line, Beat the Rest, has been endorsed by bestselling thought leaders such as Harvey Mackay, Keith Ferrazzi, and Dr. Ivan Misner. A personal and business brand strategist, Darrell’s Stealth Method of networking has helped folks expand their reach within both careers and new client circles. He speaks, leads workshops, and is a media expert on subjects such as recruiting, networking, and finding one’s passion. He was recently named Networking Expert for BeyondB-School.com and offers webinars and programs that get MBA students and working professionals out, connected, and landed.

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