What is Goal Setting?

Of course we all, to a greater or lesser degree, set goals for ourselves. But what is goal setting?

What I refer to is a deliberate process, rather than just some sense of having goals. Done systematically, it can build confidence and keep you focused, as well as providing motivation.

However, don’t assume that goals and motivation are synonymous. According to Reversal Theory, there are 8 motivational states. Having a goal in mind engages one of 8 states – the serious state. But I’d also argue that good goals also help create a sense of control (that’s where the confidence comes from, in part), engaging the mastery state.

Anyway, the point is that motivation comes from many sources, and goal setting is not always the answer. That’s why studies into the performance effects of goal setting have not been 100% positive (particularly in sport). Some people, at any point, will benefit more from goal setting than others and some may even benefit most from putting goals to one side.

How do you set goals?

Well, there are different frameworks out there – SMART goals, SMARTER goals, even SMARTEST goals, but all ultimately build on the work of Locke & Latham (1990). Here is a paper that reflects on 35 years of work.

In a nutsell, specific, difficult goals affect direction, effort, persistence and strategies used, and their impact is moderated by goal commitment, importance, self efficacy (confidence), feedback and task complexity.

Hence the original SMART – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic an Time-base. There are many variation on this acronym (and I don’t like the fact that achievable and realistic are there – what’s the difference?), but the greatest area of debate is whether you should really set ‘realistic’ goals, or set ‘big fat hairy goals’, as I’ve seen them described – real barrier breaking goals?

I would suggest that is a personal choice – aim high – but some need to be able to see the end point much more clearly than others – but whatever you choose, make sure that you focus on the steps that will take you there.

Here’s my own article with more detail on how to set goals.

Locke, E.A., and Latham, G.P. (1990). A Theory of Goal Setting and Task Performance. Prentice Hall

Apr 24, 05:29 AM | | | |

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Rob Robson, Business and Sport Psychologist

Developing Engagement, Change and Performance

What is Goal Setting?

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