You may or may not be aware of the social media trend to comment “#goals” on posts showing content that we are jealous of or aspire to be. This also includes relationship goals, parenting goals, etc. This comment basically says this is what I want my life to be like. We have talked in previous posts about the importance of goal setting, but this type of goal setting, based off of other people’s lives, is not ideal.

Being in the business of marketing, I have been able to study social media and its effects on our self-esteem and identity. We all put our best foot forward on social media, showcasing the best parts of our lives and presenting things as if they are better than they actually are. It is natural for us to want to do this. The problem is what this communicates to other people. Because we are seeing people at their best, we think our own realities don't measure up.

One of the most important factors in goal-setting is being realistic. While it is great to dream big, setting unachievable goals can be incredibly harmful to your self-esteem. Attainable goals help people focus and work toward long-term objectives.

To maintain your journey to reaching your goals, it is necessary to check-in at regular intervals. Ask yourself what you have done this week to contribute to achieving your goals? If the answer is nothing, you might need to reconsider your level of commitment to these goals.

The faster you start working towards your goals, the faster you will meet them, and continue your journey for self-improvement. This ultimately will make you feel better on many levels because you will be happy with your progress and how far you have come. It will also positively affect other areas of your life.

 - Bria