Have you ever set off on a trip and gotten lost? Or have you ever returned from the supermarket and realized that you forgot to bring a certain item? Most of us have gone through something similar simply because we didn’t write things down.

Not setting clear goals or objectives can prevent us from completing even our most simple tasks. That’s why it’s important when you set goals to write them down on a piece of paper. This premise is backed up by research.

I recently discovered that a study at the Dominican University in California revealed that out of 267 participants that wrote down their goals 42 percent were more likely to achieve them. This is true especially for personal goals. Here are my five reasons why you should write goals down:

1) You will visualize what you want to accomplish.

When you transfer your thoughts on paper you are materializing something that might be a dream or vision and you are converting it into an action. This could be the first step you take towards a great accomplishment and will also help clarify what you want to accomplish.

2) It will motivate you to start.

Writing your goals on paper will motivate you to start your journey. The mere fact of having your goals on paper sets off a spark. Once you have written down the goals plan to keep them in sight so you can have them as a reminder of what you want to accomplish.

3) You commit to your goals more easily.

When you write down these goals on paper you’re essentially making a small commitment. There is a reason why we sign letters, checks and documents in handwriting. Writing your goals can become a binding contract with yourself of what you want to accomplish.

4) It will serve as a measurement for success.

Having your goals on paper will give you a starting point and a place where you can go back and measure your progress. Sometimes goals change and looking back at the starting line can give you great perspective as to what you need to do to continue on or accomplish these goals.

5) It will give you a good reason to celebrate

Once you have measured your success you will have a reason to celebrate your victories. No matter how big or small your progress is you will always be able to look back at your initial goals and celebrate these moments. You will look back and wonder why you didn’t start earlier.

These reasons can vary from person to person but the most important fact is that when you write goals down you are effectively starting your journey. Remember, every action starts with a thought, and then it is up to you to materialize these thoughts into actions.

Do you agree what it’s important to write down goals? Do you have a different way of approaching challenges? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. Please comment below.