教員コラムBlog

  1. home
  2. 教員コラム / Blog
  3. 詳細 / Detail

The Importance of Setting Goals

2023.10.16

Photo Credit: The Sunday Collection @pexels.com

 

The importance of goal setting for university students cannot be overstated. Without clear goals, individuals will lack a clear direction and lack motivation.

 

Goals can (and should) change throughout your life. The goals you have as a 20-year-old university student are probably different from the goals you had when you were a junior high school student. The goals you have when you are 40 years old will be different from when you are 20.

 

There are several reasons goals are important. Research shows that dopamine (the chemical in the brain that makes us feel happy and motivated) is directly connected to movement towards a goal. So, if you do not have strong, clear goals, that means dopamine will be lower in the brain. To put it simply:

 

Movement towards goals = more dopamine = greater happiness! :)

No goals = lower dopamine = sadness/ depression :(

 

It is interesting to note that after the achievement of a big goal, individuals often suffer from depression (again, caused by lack of dopamine). This is shown in such examples as astronauts when they return from space, and professional athletes when they retire. Therefore, it is also important to think about (and write down!) some goals that you want to aim for after you achieve your primary goal. This will allow you to avoid the “post-goal blues” (a feeling of depression that occurs when you finally achieve a longed-for goal).

 

Goals can also act as benchmarks for measuring progress and celebrating achievements. By setting specific, measurable goals, we can measure our growth and development. Each milestone reached becomes a cause for celebration and can help spur us to create and reach new peaks. This sense of accomplishment reinforces our belief in our abilities and motivates us to continue pushing forward, becoming better and stronger individuals.

 

Most importantly, the simple act of setting (and writing down) goals actually increases motivation. When we have a clear target in mind, our determination is bolstered, and our commitment deepens. Goals provide us with a sense of purpose and urgency, fueling our drive to overcome obstacles and persevere through challenges. Goals serve as a constant reminder of what we are striving for and help us push beyond our comfort zones and unlock our full potential.

 

Setting goals plays a pivotal role in shaping our lives and shaping who we become. By providing clarity, motivation, and a sense of purpose, goals enable us to navigate life and give us the strength to carry on when things get hard. Goals can guide us towards personal growth, fulfillment, and success. They can also make us feel happier. With each step taken towards our goals, we embark on a journey of personal growth. Who knows what we can become, and the levels we can reach?

 

 

Questions:

 

Q1. What does the author suggest doing to foster personal growth?

 

Q2. What is the chemical in the brain that is associated with goal setting / movement towards goals?

 

Q3. Why is it important to create secondary goals?

 

Scroll down ↓ for the answers

 

 



















A1. Setting goals

 

A2. Dopamine

 

A3.  Avoiding post-goal blues /avoiding a dopamine crash / preventing depression after achieving a goal.

戻る / go back

Related posts