You may not think you set goals. However, every decision you make to do something is a goal. It may be as simple as buying milk or much more complex, like finding a career that suits your skills and passions. Both are goals, and the goal-setting process is necessary, even though you may not consciously be aware of it.
Definition
Webster's Dictionary defines a goal as an aim or objective. Goal setting is the process of determining what you want to achieve and how to go about doing it. Entrepreneur.com defines goal setting as "Establishing short- or long-term objectives, usually incorporating deadlines and quantifiable measures." There are business and personal goals and goal setting, and the process is the same for both.
Significance
Goal setting gives you direction. It creates the map to get you where you want to go. By setting goals, whether professional or personal, you create a target to aim at. Dr. Edwin Locke's research conducted in the late 1960s showed a relationship between a specific and difficult goal and performance, as cited by Mind Tools. Better performance was tied to more difficult but well-defined goals. Improved performance was not observed when goals were vague or easy.
Process
The process of goal setting begins with determining what you want to achieve. It may be to improve revenue by 25 percent or lose 20 pounds. Once you have established your goal, you must determine the objectives needed to reach it. Successful goal achievers break their goals down into manageable steps. Developing and writing an action plan is also helpful in outlining what needs to be done to achieve the larger goal. The action plan to improve revenue may include steps like adding sales representatives and increasing advertising. While an action plan to lose weight might be to join a gym and count calories.
Time Frame
There are both long and short-term goals. The goal-setting process for long-term goals is more involved. Steps needed to achieve the goal may be complex. In the example above about increasing revenue, there are certain steps that must occur before qualified candidates are hired, like advertising the position and interviewing prospective employees.
A short-term goal might be to make a grocery list. It is accomplished in a single step.
Deadlines
Deadlines are integral parts of the goal-setting process. Deadlines will spur you to take action. Lose 20 pounds in five months is a goal with a deadline. When you know the deadline, you can take the necessary steps to achieve your goal. If your deadline is five months, you are more apt to begin exercising and counting calories tomorrow instead of next week.
Measurements
In addition to deadlines, measurements are also important in goal setting. Making your goals quantifiable makes them more worthwhile and serves to keep you on track to attain them. Measuring along the way is vital to assess your progress. To lose weight, you will weigh yourself on a regular basis in order to make certain you are on the right track. In fact, checking measurements should be part of the goal-setting process at the onset.
Whatever goal you set, be sure to check in regularly and see if you are reaching your smaller objectives. This can also give you a boost mentally on your way toward the bigger goal.
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