Here are 10 Reasons to Set Goals Daily:

1. Having clear goals (or objectives), helps us clarify our intentions and gives form to our energy. We each have a limited amount of energy in the course of a day. Giving ourselves specific goals, gives us direction.
2. Goals help us measure if we are living up to our own expectations. One of the key benefits of clarifying goals for ourselves is that we then do not need to rely on other people for our sense of accomplishment or “how we are doing”. Actors are notorious for asking other people, “So, what did you think about my work”? If you have specific goals in mind, you know whether or not you accomplished them and, therefore, know how you have done. This line of thinking is self-empowering.
3. Goals give us structure. Creativity thrives in an environment where it has structure. Many people, when faced with a blank canvas (limited possibility), can panic. Goals give our ideas shape.
4. When we know what we want to accomplish, we can work to accomplish it.
5. When you know what you want, you allow for serendipity to engage you. I do not mean this in a metaphysical sense. Opportunity is around us all of the time. However, if you are not looking for it, you likely will not see it. But if you know what you are looking for, chances are you will see it when it arises. Then, you can grab opportunity. Luck is preparation meets opportunity. Goals help us be prepared.
6. Goals keep our minds focused. Creative people with large imaginations can, sometimes, easily be distracted. Once one becomes accustomed to listening to their creative impulses and following them, it can be easy to become overwhelmed by the shear volume of ones impulses. Goals help us stay on track.
7. Accomplishment of goals leads to a feeling of empowerment, from which, one can continue to accomplish and build. In other words, success feels good and having specific and frequent goals and then accomplishing those goals, gives us a feeling of accomplishment and, consequently, confidence.
8. People like to support clear-minded, passionate, goal oriented people.Having goals helps others have confidence in your actions. Such confidence can help you greatly, if you are asking others to collaborate, to follow you or to invest in your visions. When you have specific goals and passionately share them with others, often, people will aide you in an attempt to help you realize your passion.
9. Having goals creates a mental map.
10. Practicing goal pursuit helps actors become better performers. The Stanislavski technique and all of its derivative teachings (Uta Hagen, Sanford Meisner, Earle Gister, etc), share one thing in common: They are about need fulfillment. When a performer who is playing a character says, “What do I need?” or “What is my motivation?” or “What does my character want?”, the performer is asking of themselves what their character’s goals are. The more you practice goals setting and goal fulfillment, the more you master the basic principle and foundation of the acting aesthetic of realism (the aesthetic that most commercial theatre performs in).

Jim Hart is the Director of Arts Entrepreneurship at SMU.

Originally Posted at www.harttechnique.wordpress.com on July 29, 2010