Goal setting and planning is a good strategic activity, not only for your business but in your personal life as well. But according to my favorite author, Jim Rohn, "The more you talk about your plans and share them with so many people, the less energy you have to actually execute it." Keeping plans to yourself is not out of secrecy, but out of wisdom. In other words, it is not what you say that matters, but what you do and accomplish.
According to statistics by goalcalling.com, 14 percent of people set goals and only six percent are able to accomplish them. However, a whopping 80 percent do not set goals at all.
And for those 14 percent who have goals – you are in the right direction. But share your goals only to those who can nurture them and help you make them grow. Making your goals or plans known to so many people will only invite criticism, competition, and distractions, and can drain the enthusiasm you initially have.
But why are there people who love to share their goals and plans, even with the public, some of whom may not even be interested? Many, if not all, according to Rohn, are seeking approval or recognition, or want to show others, "I have a plan for success and I am not resting on my laurels."
There are even some people sharing their plans on social media – even personal ones like the places they plan to visit next year, their plans to buy this or that car, or a particular personal item. In business, there are companies that want to impress and promote themselves by sharing their goals and plans on how they can grow, such as prospective alliances or mergers and acquisitions, and the like. Nothing wrong with promoting your company by sharing your plans, except that if you don't accomplish these plans, you will be open to criticism.
I tend to share my plan of losing weight, of going to the gym more often, but I learned that the more I share my plan, the less enthusiasm I have, and the fire to accomplish it lessens. And I realized that what Jim Rohn said is true – that the mind can mistake the approval of others (although they just want to encourage you) for actual accomplishments. The urgency to act on the plan diminishes, and the enthusiasm that you have for your dreams, that you consider realistic and so possible, starts to diminish because your mind seems to have told you already that these are accomplished.
"Working in silence" can be powerful since you do not invite criticism, which can hamper your focus, and you maintain the initial motivation you have. Just surprise others with your accomplishments! And if you are not able to accomplish them, you only have yourself to be accountable to, and to learn all you can from it, so the next goal can be more achievable.
Sharing your goals and plans with the right people and at the right time can be beneficial to you, if these are people with whom you value their advice and opinion. They can actually help you reach your goals by their expertise and encouragement. Letting your work team in the loop can also rally them behind working towards the achievement of your goals in business.
On the other hand, if you share these goals and plans with people who may not be knowledgeable at all, they can even discourage you. Worse, if you share on social media, it will not only create unsolicited opinions, but also criticism if you are not able to accomplish it, and worse, even possibly steal your ideas (source: goalengineering.com).
To share or not to share is a strategic decision – and will make or break the accomplishment of your goals, plans, and dreams.
Wilma Miranda is a Managing Partner of Inventor, Miranda & Associates, CPAs and a member of the Board of Directors of KPS Outsourcing, Inc. The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the opinion of these institutions.