There have been many different studies over the years in regards to whether or not you should tell people your goals. Some studies stated that telling people your goals gives you a sense of satisfaction like you already achieved it. Other studies state that it may help you stay accountable. So what’s the real answer?
During our conversation with Dr. Hayley Nelson, an accomplished neuroscientist and founder of The Academy of Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, we were excited to gain her insights on the topic of sharing goals with others.
Dr. Nelson’s wealth of knowledge and experience in neuroscience and psychology, coupled with her passion for education, truly shone through in our discussion. She provided valuable guidance and perspective on the potential benefits and drawbacks of sharing goals with others. Let’s dive into what she had to say.
Advantages of Sharing Your Goals
Setting goals could have many advantages. Some of which include holding yourself accountable, encouragement, and last but not least networking opportunities. Below we will share a quote from Dr. Nelson from our conversation, and then elaborate on each of them.
Sense Of Accountability
“Sharing your goals with others can provide a sense of accountability, which can motivate you to work harder to achieve them.”
When you tell someone you’re going to do something, it’s not only you that you have to prove you could do it, but also the person you told. This increases your chances of success because it provides a sense of obligation and will help you stay on track.
Social Support
“When you share your goals with supportive friends, family, or colleagues, they can provide encouragement, feedback, and help you overcome challenges.”
You’ll be surprised how much extra motivation you could get by telling the right people your goals. Surrounding yourself with those who encourage and support you is invaluable and can help you take the steps to achieve your goals. When you start doubting yourself, they will be there to pick you up.
“Sharing your goals with others can also help you connect with people who have similar interests or can help you achieve your goals.”
Last but not least, sharing your goals with others could also help you connect with people who have similar interests. This is important due to the fact that if they’re doing the same thing you’re doing and they are somewhat successful, they can give you valuable advice and also motivate you.
Drawbacks of Sharing Your Goals
Now we will go over the drawbacks of telling people your goals. The drawbacks include fear of failure, misplaced satisfaction, and last but not least sabotage.
Fear Of Failure
“When you tell others your goals, you may feel pressure to succeed and fear judgment if you don’t. This fear can cause anxiety and prevent you from pursuing your goals.”
If the person you’re considering telling gives you these types of feelings, you should think twice about telling them at all. If you really want to tell them, wait until you have a little momentum at least.
Sense Of Accomplishment
“Sharing your goals can provide a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment, even if you haven’t taken action towards them. This can lead to complacency and decreased motivation to actually achieve your goals.”
When you talk about your goals to other people, it’s almost like you get so excited that it feels like you have already achieved the goal. This can lead to a false sense of satisfaction and might replace the actual drive towards achieving them. Try and use that energy towards actually going out and doing the tasks necessary to achieve the goal.
Sabotage
“Sharing your goals with the wrong people can put you at risk for sabotage, as some may not want to see you succeed.”
You would like to think that most people you talk to on a regular basis want you to be successful. However, this isn’t always the case. It may not even always be about them not wanting you to succeed either. They could be extremely negative, and don’t believe they could do it, so they portray that energy on you.
Factors to Consider When Deciding Whether or Not to Share Your Goals
Now that we went over the ups and down’s of sharing your goals, we know it’s not all black and white. You could benefit from sharing, and sharing could also be your biggest downfall. Because of this there are few things you need to keep in mind when deciding if you should tell someone or not.
Share them To People Above You
According to this study conducted by Ohio State University, sharing your goals with the right person can be highly effective in achieving them. In fact, people showed greater commitment and performance towards their goals when they shared them with someone they believed had higher status than themselves.
Don’t Share Them With Negative People
As we mentioned above, when you share your goals with negative people it allows their own self doubt and insecurities to manifest on you.
Before You Tell Your Goals Think Them Through
It’s important to think your goals through completely before telling someone. This is because when you find out what the goal entails, you’ll know if the goal is realistic for you or not (Which is extremely important). A lot of people fall into the trap of telling people they’re going after something, then figure out that it’s not realistic, and then give up. In the future when you go to tell that same person about a new goal, their belief in you may be a bit less, which is not good for your overall psyche and motivation.
Consider Your Motivation For Sharing Your Goals
Before you tell your goals, think deeply about why you want to share them. Are you seeking validation? If so, hold off on telling. If you’re looking for someone to hold you accountable, then go right ahead. It’s best to be honest with yourself.
Conclusion
In the end, it’s up to you to decide whether or not to share your goals with others. Take into account your personality, the nature of your goals, and your relationship with the person you want to share your goals with. If you choose to share your goals, make sure you select people who can offer support, constructive feedback, and encouragement.
Let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below! We’d love to hear from you. Thanks for reading.