Goal Congruence

What is goal congruence? It simply means making sure your goals are in harmony with and aligned to what you really want in life.

An Important Illustration:

Let's say you hate your job so you set a new goal find another job. You're so desperate and emotional to leave your current work situation you focus your goal on what you are feeling in the moment.

Your goal: Find a better job, that pays money, with less stress. Maybe you follow the SMART goals formula and add specifics that you can measure, such as you want to find this job within four months and your minimum salary requirement is 10% more than your current job.

Let's say four months later you achieve your goals - you have a better paying job and less stress. However, you're still dissatisfied, because the new job is not challenging. Your workday seems extremely long and you're unhappy.

When you ensure your goals are aligned with what really want in life then you will be happier in the long run. If you would have taken the time to focus on what you really wanted your job search may have taken you in a new direction. In the end, you'd be doing work you love, with more energy, and interest. You'd feel a sense of accomplishment and be happier.

Never underestimate the power of effectively aligning your goal. It's the foundation for really smart goals.