Goal Setting

Have you ever wondered what the most effective method is, to increase your motivation and achieve the most out of your career or life? Behavioural Scientists agree that effective “goal setting” is probably the most effective technique you can use to increase self-motivation and thus performance.

This is due to the fact that goal setting as a process in itself is self-motivating.  Additionally, because goals provide a basis for sound planning and strategy development; this then leads to the mobilisation of effort in the right direction, which then increases long-term persistence. A bi-product of this is that one can promote the development of new learning and administrative strategies.

However, goal setting is greatly enhanced by understanding what research has discovered about how to most effectively, set career goals. Here are just a few of the tips we can offer you on how to effectively set your occuptational, relationship and academic goals.

Goals need to be set as specifically as possible. Specific goals focus our attention on the appropriate processes and strategies needed to achieve our objectives. Additionally this makes it easier to measure our progress, which leads us onto the next point. It is prefered that goals are always measurable, so we can estimate our progress and determine when we have achieved that which we set out to do. Obviously, having “time lines” and “dead lines”, affords one mental discipline and helps you to prioritise.  

Goals preferably need to be in writing, because this becomes a kind of contract with youself, which will eliminate your tendency to daydream. When writing them down, goals need always to be formulated positively, because it is more effective to set you mind on what you would like to happen; as opposed to, what you want to avoid. Doing this will also decrease your stress levels and will thus render you more proactive.  Strangely enough, research shows that difficult goals produce better performance than easy vague goals. Obviously goals need not be too difficult or impossible.

Set your goals only for that which you can control. For example you cannot  ultimately control your boss’s decision to give you a promotion; however, you can focus your attention on that which you can definitely control, which may lead to a promotion.

It is important to note that you need to take ownership of your goals. You need your own vision and not that of someone elses; unless you are setting a team goal with others, who also share your vision and wish the same outcome.  

Some goals are less important than others. This is also logical, as you need to get your priorities straight, and realise there is always a hierarchy of goals.  Breaking down long-term objectives into smaller achievable goals is logical, but is also a good idea to set muliple goals for all area of your life. Your career perfomance and work satisifaction will be enhanced when you are also achieving in other areas of your life.

Another good tip for effective goal setting is rewarding yourself if you achieve a goal. This we will leave up to your own creativity and resources. Remember to set yourself multiple goals, so that you can achieve at least a few and thus be encouraged.

Finally if there were two vital strategies we could offer you to encourage you with your goal setting it is these:

•    Firstly, it is never a case that you “MUST ABSOLUTELY,” achieve your goals, whatever, the consequence. Goals are important, but we need not be a slave to them or punish ourselves if we don’t achieve what we wanted, in the time frame we wanted it.  When you have this “do or die” mentality you increase your stress levels unnecessarily which decreases your performance.
•    Secondly, setting goals is not an end in itself. Establishing goals and plans of actions will not automatically guarantee success. Goal setting and planning are merely blueprints for action; and the crucial thing you need is faith. You need to believe in yourself and believe the goal is worthwhile, enough to energize yourself for action.   

For more information on effective goal setting practise, please feel free to contact Choice Life Consulting at 04 384 9740, or alternatively visit at: www.lifeconsulting.co.nz.