Setting Goals

There is some differing advice on setting and sharing goals.  It used to be that people said you should make a goal and share it with someone.  Telling someone what your goal is was supposed to make it more likely that you reach the goal.  It doesn't matter if you tell one person or if you announce it to everyone.  Saying it out loud to someone other than yourself helps you to reach the goal. 

The advice I see the most these days is to set a goal and to keep it private.  It's only your goal and sharing makes it less likely that you will reach the goal. I've read several articles with this advice recently. And it surprised me, because it is exactly opposite of the advice I'd followed previously.

I'm not sure how I feel about it.  Personally, I do a little of both.  

What to you think?  If you are reading this, please let me know what your opinion is.  Do you share a goal or keep it private?  And why? 

I've slacked on making goals of any kind recently.  And that shows. I haven't made any progress in any corner of my life either.  I need to have the carrot and I haven't provided myself with that lately.  It just so happens that it's the time of year that people are tossing out their new years resolutions.  It's ironic that I have reached a point where I need to set some goals. I was reminded recently that I can do hard things.  I have, in the past, made some life changing decisions that weren't easy to make and set the wheels in motion to make the changes.  I have done it.  I can do it again. 

It's spring now. A time of renewal. It seems fresh and clean and a good place to start.  It is now the beginning of April.  So this is the perfect time to find a target and set a goal.  It's time to go <again>. 

I've written before about SMART goals.  

SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Record-able, and Time-bound. This resolution will be a SMART one.  I think I'll try the advice of "keep it quiet" and see how it works.  I plan to set a lofty goal and map out the steps I need to take to reach it.  Perhaps I'll share next April, to see if I make it.  Lets see if I remember (feel free to ask me next year).