Setting goals for achievement is an activity practiced by people in the professional world and athletics as well as by those who engage in hobbies. While some people rely heavily on setting and achieving goals, other people prefer looser standards for success. Goal setting has advantages and disadvantages, and it's up to you to find out whether it is right for you.
Definition
According to the Entrepreneur website, in "Goal Setting," a goal is a measurable, specific, realistic and optimistic expectation for short- or long-term success in any aspect of life. Goals are typically used in tandem with the development of a plan for progressing from the present toward achievement of the goal or goals you have set for yourself. In total, a goal and a plan provide a tangible path to a far-reaching achievement.
History
The "Locke's Goal Setting Theory" article on the the Mind Tools website states that goal setting originated in the late 1960s by Dr. Edwin Locke. Locke conducted research on professionals, discovering a correlation between goal setting, motivation and work performance. Study participants who had set achievable goals were more motivated to meet those goals and, in turn, worked harder than participants who were asked to do work toward no defined endpoint.
Types
"Goal Setting" indicates that goals can be created for any element of life, from work and hobbies to relationships. Two types of goals exist: short-term and long-term goals. How those two types of goals are defined is up to you and the situation for which you are using them---but, in general, short-term goals reference the next few days or weeks, while long-term goals usually reference multi-year units of time.
Advantages
The chief advantage of goal setting lies in Dr. Edwin Locke's discovery regarding the relationship between goal setting, motivation and work performance. If you set a goal for some element of your life, you are statistically likely to be more excited about working toward that goal as well as about working harder to reach it.
Disadvantages
The Beyond Intractability website, in "The Importance of Goal Setting," outlines the main disadvantages of goal setting. Sometimes, a potential endpoint is unclear, so defining one may be a difficult challenge. If a person sets a goal and is not able to modify that goal as its circumstances evolve, then working toward a now-irrelevant goal might result. Finally, a disadvantage of goal setting is that you could become so focused on that goal that you are unable to see other opportunities that come about along the way.
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