Goal setting

People who set goals generally achieve more in various areas of life than people who do not set goals. For instance, goals help people succeed in the realms of education, fitness, and work. However, people who set goals are more likely to reach them if they articulate clear plans for how they will pursue their goals on a daily basis. Psychologists have found that intrinsic and learning goals promote enjoyment in studying, exercising, and working, such that people can find more happiness before and after they reach their goals. Furthermore, people and organizations can have multiple goals and types of goals at once.

Overview

Goals have helped many people focus their motivation and concentration to accomplish remarkable things for thousands of years. However, it is only in the last century that psychologists and other scientists have gained an understanding of goal setting. Managers, coaches, teachers, and individuals can benefit from knowing how to set goals in a way that is most likely to promote success and psychological well-being.

Numerous studies have found that specific goals (i.e., Bill and Sarah will save $2,000 by June) lead to greater effort and success than vague goals (i.e., Bill and Sarah will save money). Appropriately challenging goals are more motivating than goals that are either too easy or too hard. In order to make specific and optimally challenging goals, it is best to have data on an individual or group’s past performance. Furthermore, people are more motivated to pursue their goals over time if they receive or provide themselves with regular feedback. For example, if Bill and Sarah see that they have gradually saved $1,500 and gained an extra $50 of interest, they are more likely to be motivated to continue saving money than if they do not closely monitor their progress. Although specific goals can be powerful, they may cause people to neglect other areas of their lives. For instance, a couple could focus so much on working harder to save money that they fail to nurture their relationship. For this reason, it is important that people set goals that are in harmony with their long-term vision for their lives.

Peter Gollwitzer has found that implementation intentions make it more likely that people will reach their goals. Implementation intentions involve clear statements about the circumstances in which people will engage in goal-related behaviors. For instance, one might say, “I’ll study for one hour after dinner.” If people start out by mentally rehearsing their intentions multiple times each day, they will likely form goal-related habits.

Based on expectancy-value theory, goals are more likely to be reached if people expect to reach them and if they see a purpose in reaching them. Based on self-determination theory and related research, the most inspiring purposes for reaching goals have to do with helping others, enhancing relationships, expressing one’s genuine self, enhancing health, developing talents, or learning. These intrinsically motivated overarching goals often lead to reduced anxiety, more enjoyment during the pursuit of specific goals, and greater achievement.

Bibliography

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