Goal setting is the process of deciding what you want to accomplish and devising a plan to achieve the result you desire.
This goal setting definition emphasizes that goal setting is a two part process. For effective goal setting, you need to do more than just decide what you want to do; you also have to work at accomplishing whatever goal you have set for yourself.
For many people, it's the second part of the goal setting definition that's problematic. They know what they want to do but have trouble creating a plan to get there. Goals without action plans are just words.
One way to get over this hurdle is to use a goal setting formula that incorporates a strategy for accomplishing the goal. (See Goal Setting: The First Step to Achievement for details.)
Another way of ensuring that you have a good shot at actually accomplishing the goals you set is to make sure that the goals you set follow the SMART acronym and are:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Attainable
- Relevant
- Time-Bound
Achieve More With SMART Goal Setting explains more about setting and achieving SMART goals.
I hate to wreck a good acronym, but I think it's important to add an 'E' for engaging when goal setting. If a goal isn't engaging to a person, they're not going to have enough internal motivation to work to accomplish it.
