By setting realistic, attainable goals we positively influence our levels of happiness A popular idea in business start-up books is that goal-setting is crucial for financial success, and it may well be true. But more importantly, positive psychology has found that goals affect our daily happiness.
Research on peak-experiences shows that people often experience joy when they attain a personal goal, whether it involves education, work, or social relations. If you are someone who has not thought of what your goals are, or you do not have a clear idea of what they are, it is likely that you are missing out on a potential source of immense happiness.
Psychologists have discovered that certain types of goals are more effective than others in producing happiness: specifically, those that are personally valued, realistic, and freely chosen. It seems clear enough that pursuing goals that are meaningful to us is more fulfilling than chasing after those that have been imposed by others, or those which we don’t really value.
Other studies show that when there is a good fit between a person’s values and goals, they are likely to be more motivated, have higher commitment, and experience a greater sense of wellbeing.
A second important issue concerns approach versus avoidance goals. Approach goals motivate us to move towards something (like, “I want to get a degree in counseling”), on the other hand, avoidance goals motivate us to avoid difficulties, dangers, or fears (such as, “I try to avoid public speaking because it makes me very nervous”). Research conducted on many different cultures reveals that approach goals are more likely to be associated with happiness than avoidance goals.
The rate of progress that a person has made — or expects to make — towards goals may even be more important than the actual attainment of it; self-acceptable rates of progress are associated with more positive emotions.
Fourth, the impact that our goals may have on our sense of happiness appears to be dependent on their specificity. Highly abstract goals may be detrimental to boosting happiness because it becomes hard to know when they have been achieved. Finally, an important aspect that concerns the relationships among our goals is, specifically, their degree of ‘fit’ versus conflict
In short, the popular wish to “have it all” in terms of career, money, family, community involvement and leisure may actually aggravate internal conflict between different goals, lowering our day-to-day happiness.
Based on these scientific findings, you might find it useful to ask yourself: What are my goals for the next six months? How about the following year and the next three years? It’s helpful to compose a written list and remember that it’s best to create goals that are realistic, attainable, and measurable. And now, begin!
