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I heard goal setting is a waste with low self esteem. Is there truth to this?

13 Answers
Last Updated: 09/14/2021 at 2:34am
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Top Rated Answers
Anonymous
December 25th, 2017 10:00am
Many people can have different opinion on this, but I think goal setting is a good step in improving self esteem. Firstly, you will have the opportunity to work towards something, this will give you purpose! Secondly you will have the opportunity to achieve something. Achievements can greatly improve self-esteem and self-worth as it shows you that you are actually capable of completing a task or challenge that you set your mind to. Each completed task, regardless of how small, is a building block towards a more confident you :)
Sunisshiningandsoareyou
- Expert in Self-Esteem
October 29th, 2020 11:38am
While everyone can have a different opinion to it, what I personally believe is, that it doesn't have to be necessarily labeled as waste if a person with low esteem sets goals for themselves or life in general, I for one think that, someone even beginning to accept they need a change or need to set goals, are already working upon building themselves up and it can definitely be a good step towards increasing one's self esteem as well. It's a slow process, but with consistent efforts and will to do better, set goals can be achieved and one of the long term goals can also be, increasing one's self esteem, which can be achieved over time, while fulfilling small and basic goals consistently. Don't let anyone make you question, what you feel could work for you deserves at least one try. <3
TheBabyLion
- Expert in Self-Esteem
March 13th, 2018 9:45am
There's always an underlying thought/belief about oneself that causes the low self-esteem. Goal setting (and achieving!) may contribute to breaking an illusion of "not being good enough". At the same time, a false confidence gained after reaching a certain goal may occur, which may or may not hinder the real issue a person has.
DiamondBackRobert24
June 25th, 2018 11:11pm
No. There is not truth to this. If you set goals in your life, you are most likely to achieve them quicker!
Anonymous
November 19th, 2018 9:32pm
Goal setting is a very independent thing. Your goal could revolve around your low self-esteem. The meaning behind goal setting makes your dreams/goals quantifiable, manageable, and thus, achievable. Setting goals, keeping yourself accountable, and achieving it, might actually help your self-esteem. Even if you might think less of yourself than you're capable of, setting a goal and archiving it will be undeniable proof of your abilities. That being said; setting goals is not for everyone. While the idea is good, you should consider your day-to-day life. Some people are already overwhelmed, and trying to over-archive might put more stress on you than necessary.
Camou97
February 12th, 2018 2:36am
No, I don't think setting a goal is a waste with low self esteem. That being said, setting a goal that is too hard to start with will set someone up for potential failure and that can be very disheartening. Start with a small goal something attainable now, to boost confidence, and work towards a larger goal.
SupportiveSockMonkey
April 7th, 2018 11:19am
There are many different opinions on this and I find that it can be a waste of time if the goal setting isn't going to enable to build anything for the individual person. The goal setting must be appropriate and allow the person to step outside their comfort zone (even a little but not to much) to build their self esteem and confidence back up. Even if it is only a tiny step every day that will all add up in the end. It's about maintaining a balance :)
katawosuu
June 4th, 2018 5:55am
Goal setting is never a waste when you are committed to it. Personally, I find that setting a realistic goal with personal meaning to me and seeing it through helps me feel like I've done something that is worth it. And that maybe I'm worth something, too.
Mindbodysoul88
June 12th, 2018 10:45am
No that isn’t true. Goal setting is never a waste in any situation. Instead it shows ownership of your future
endearingLion70
- Expert in Self-Esteem
June 18th, 2018 12:27pm
If one does not set goals there is a very little chance for progress and success which will contribute to lower self esteem.
Anonymous
July 16th, 2018 10:38pm
Yes, there's a certain truth in this statement because when we set goals, we usually aim for things that are too far away for us to reach, and that kind of behavior usually makes us feel more like we can't do anything or that we aren't capable of reaching certain goal. However when we set an achievable goal, (e.g. "i'll stop biting my nails'' or ''i'll eat an apple everyday"), it becomes a lot easier to deal with accomplishing it, and when trying to accomplish a goal like this, we feel better about ourselves.
SmilesToSmile
August 14th, 2018 12:19am
Of course not! While our self esteem may affect how motivated we are to pursuing and continuing to pursue our goals it is not a reason to go without setting some. My advice would be to start small. Have your first goals be things you can achieve quite easily- it might be a household chore task (I will make my bed today, I will mop the floor) or a monetary one (I will save one dollar a day this week) or anything else (I will go for an X minute walk). For every goal you successfully achieve,you may find your esteem naturally rises too- you become more confident that yes,you can achieve things. It teaches your brain that you can succeed and that it feels good to complete tasks. Then you can increase your goals to longer term or more personally significant things. Good luck!
dylfunctional
September 14th, 2021 2:34am
No. This is a falsehood. Taking the steps to find goals can actually INCREASE self esteem by a whole lot! Not to mention, it helps you to think about things you value and enjoy, which gives you a sense of self and direction. It's a wonderful thing to be able to truly find things you like and enjoy, and when you find a way to actually accomplish your goals-- that is even better! Setting goals, working through them, adapting them as you adapt, these are all things that are extremely important to character and self growth! Thank you for reading and I hoped it was inspirational to someone!- Dylan