Even in this digital age, there’s a lot to be said for doing things the old fashioned way when it comes to writing down your goals for expat life.
Making a schedule
Moving to a new country is often billed as an adventure – and it is! But there’s a lot to figure out, too, and sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. In another article we discussed the importance of time management and the value of time blocking. But when you sit down to make a schedule to help you achieve your goals, many motivational experts advise ignoring a plethora of digital tools. Instead, use the humble pen and a piece of paper.
Short-term motivation
For starters, writing down your goals (or ideas) provides short-term motivation and excitement. If you are feeling uninspired or unsure of what to do, you need a little spark. Written goals also become clearer as they force you to choose specific, measurable goals. The act of writing will not only boost your memory but will also make your mind more efficient. It helps you focus on the truly important stuff – and your goals for expat life definitely qualify as truly important stuff!
Achieve goal success
“Vividly describing your goals in written form is strongly associated with goal success, and people who very vividly describe or picture their goals are anywhere from 1.2 to 1.4 times more likely to successfully accomplish their goals than people who don’t,” writes Mark Murphy – the CEO of Leadership IQ. But wait, what if you aren’t even sure of your goals? Well, in that case, the act of writing is also an effective way to brainstorm ideas and get those creative juices flowing.
Note to self
So if you are feeling overwhelmed or uncertain about what comes next in your expat life, why not try to set aside some time to write out your ideas and plans? Most of us will always hit a wall when staring at a static screen and could all do with a digital break. You don’t need fancy stationery. Perhaps just a cup of coffee or tea in a quiet space. And remember: the pen is mightier than the keyboard!
This article was originally published for the thousands of expat partners that Global Connection supports around the globe. It is reproduced here in its original form.
