Sharing goals generally does lead to better results. The principle is often rooted in a psychological effect known as accountability, which leverages social pressure and support to motivate individuals to follow through on their commitments. When we keep our goals to ourselves, it’s easier to make excuses or not follow through. Here is how the dynamic works:
- Social Accountability: When you share your goals with others (friends, family, a mentor, or even a public forum), you create a sense of obligation to those people. The desire to appear consistent and competent in the eyes of others helps prevent procrastination and ensures sustained effort.
- Increased Support: Sharing goals often opens the door for encouragement, advice, and assistance from your network. This support system can provide valuable resources or emotional bolstering when challenges arise.
- Clarity and Commitment: The very act of articulating your goals to someone else requires you to define them clearly, which strengthens your own commitment to achieving them.
Different ways to share your goals
- You can post them somewhere in your home so you see them every day, tell a spouse, a friend, a family member. Have them check in on you each week or biweekly.
- At your fitness centre you could create a goal wall, so that everyone sees each other’s goals and it allows you to check in on one another.
Make sure your goals are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely.
Here’s to achieving your 2026 goals!
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MaryAnna Robbins CSEP-CPT, OFC RHEP – Group Exercise, Resistance Trainer, Aqua Fitness, Yoga Fitness, Pilates Mat Fitness
