Why Goal Setting Improves Your Happiness

You can fail and still be happy! A recent study by the University of Basel shows that goal setting increases happiness levels, even if you aren’t successful. This may sound counterintuitive, but as long as you have goals that seem attainable to you, your psychological well-being can improve. 

You might have goals that will also increase your happiness even more when you do reach them. At Stonybrook Apartment Homes , one of our goals is your happiness, and we want to see you experience the joy in goal setting. Here are a few ways setting goals will make you happier.

Feel Good About the Future

One reason that goal setting increases happiness is that goals make you feel more optimistic about the future . When you are optimistic, you are happier, healthier, more resilient, and better able to cope in challenging times. And, if you really believe you will reach your goal, you are more likely to do so. As long as your goal is reasonably attainable, setting your eye on an objective will fill you with positive feelings and give you the boost to achieve it.

Have a Sense of Purpose and Accomplishment

Another reason goals make you happier is that they fill you with a sense of purpose and accomplishment. According to the PERMA model of happiness, two main factors that contribute to happiness are “meaning” and “achievement.” When you are working towards something bigger than yourself, or when you are striving for an achievement, you get more satisfaction out of life.

Get Happiness from Reaching Your Goals

A third reason goal setting will make you happier is that reaching them will improve your well-being—if you set the right kind of goals. For example, if you have goals having to do with exercising or eating nutritious foods, the act of exercising or the improved diet might boost your happiness. There is happiness that comes from the goal setting as well as from reaching good goals.

Don’t let the fear of not reaching your goals keep you from setting them. Yes, reaching your goals might make you happier, but even if you fail, merely having a goal in mind can do wonders for your well-being.