Why You Should Make Your Goal Public

When you set a goal, you can either declare it publicly or keep it secretly to yourself.  Everyone is different, but there might be a few reasons why you should make your goal public.  Often you don't make your goal public because if you fail, then you're the only one who knows about it.  It's less likely to look bad on you and other people won't judge you.  Yet, there is some accountability and support in making your goal known.  Here is why you should make your goal public.

Fear

One of the biggest reasons why you don’t declare your goal publicly is because of fear.  The fear of being judged if you fail.  The fear of what other people will think of you for setting your goal.  The fear of the backlash of people who try to cut you down and tell you all the reasons why you shouldn’t, can’t, or won’t achieve the goal that you’ve set for yourself.  This is why it’s so much easier to just keep your goal a secret.  If you keep the goal to yourself, then you have no reason to fear judgement if you fail.

Failure

Yet, keeping your goal to yourself because of fear is actually your subconscious saying that you don’t believe that you can achieve your goal.  It’s leaving the door wide open for failure.  On a subconscious level, you actually expect to fail.  Instead, think about what would happen if you had unwavering belief that you would achieve your goal.  You would excitedly tell the world about it and not have a single fear in doing so.

Support

Sharing your goal with someone else can be scary.  But, it can also be a source of huge support.  When other people find out what you’re working towards, they can cheer you on.  They can also provide you with some additional resources.  Such as, connecting you to someone who can help you achieve your goal faster.  You might find that you just need some extra moral support to motivate you to keep going.  It’s nice to know you have someone else along for the journey with you. 

Accountability

Announcing your goal to others will also create accountability.  Since you’ve declared what you’re working towards, other people will check in with your progress to see how you’re coming along.  You may even be called out if you’ve slipped up or given up completely on your goal.  Sometimes sharing your goal with at least one other person is the accountability you need to keep you on track to successfully achieve your goal.

Right Support

The key here is to find the right person or people to share your goal with.  Don’t share your goal with people who will be little you and what you’re working towards.  They are just jealous of what you want to achieve.  Rather, find a group of people working towards something similar.  Or, confide in your best friend, spouse, or family member.  Next, let them know how they can support you.  Maybe that’s following up with you daily or weekly.  Let them know exactly what kind of support you need and what they can do to help you.  Establish what level of support works best for you and share it with at least one other person.

You don’t have to publicly announce your goal to the whole entire world.  However, you should share your goal with at least one other person.  Step outside your comfort zone and share what you’re working towards.  Let this person help cheer you on and motivate you to keep going because there will be times when you want to give up.  It’s in those moments that having someone else who believes in you and your goal will truly matter.  That can only happen if you share your goal with another person.