E65 - FCS.vp

Goal Setting

ROFESSOR EDWIN A. LOCKE, born in 1938, is an

American psychologist and a pioneer in goal-

setting theory. Locke bases his goal setting on

Aristotle’s theory of final causality. Locke’s theory

establishes a positive relationship between goals and

performance. Your goals give you long-term vision for

your future and short-term motivation to perform. The

ability and competence you develop in accomplishing

your goals will help you develop more self-

confidence.

Objectives:

þ 1. Explain the process of goal setting.

2. Describe the terms and types of goals.

3. Explain seven aspects of effective goals.

Key Terms:

How Are Goals Set?

A goal is something a person wants to achieve. When you describe what you want to

accomplish in life, you are setting or developing goals. Developing goals involves two impor

tant steps: identifying your goals and determining ways and means of reaching them.

Goal identification is the development of a list of things you want to accomplish in your

life. You need to look inward at your values and personal experience to decide what is right for

you. You need to determine what is both important and realistic.

Ways and means are the strategies for achieving goals. A goal is of little value if you don’t

have a strategy for achieving it. During this step, you may realize your final goal is unrealistic

and needs revision to make it attainable.

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goal

goal identification

intermediate goal

interpersonal goal

long-term goal

personal goal

professional goal

short-term goal

ways and means

Terms and Types of Goals

Goals can cover varying periods of time. Some can be attained fairly soon, while others will

take longer to achieve. Goals can also be divided according to different areas of your life in

which they become important. They can be categorized by the amount of time or number of

steps it takes to achieve them.

A short-term goal is a goal that

can be achieved within a year and in

just a few steps.

An intermediate goal is a goal

that can be achieved in one to five

years. Intermediate goals may accom

plish short-term goals along the way.

A long-term goal is a goal that will

take five or more years to achieve and

typically involves many steps. Long-

term goals usually achieve short-term

and intermediate goals along the way.

Goals can apply to different areas of

your life, both personal and profes

sional. They are based on what you

consider important to accomplish

throughout your life.

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BROADENING AWARENESS…

AMAZING ASPECTS:

Simple Goal-Setting Guidelines

Limit your number of goals so you can focus your energies to effectively accomplish them.

Begin by brainstorming. Make a list of things you want to accomplish. Pare down the list to goals

that are most important to you.

Choose one goal that can change your life in the short term—that is, within the next few

months or even the next year. For longer-term goals create sub-goals. Choose a goal you are

passionate about to prevent your losing interest in achieving it.

Create a mantra that expresses your goal in two to five words. Post this mantra on your com

puter desktop, on an index card, or on the wall next to your bed. Repeat your mantra out loud

daily so you don’t forget it. Figure out an action or project to help you progress toward achieving

your goal each day. Focus on your goal, and make it a habit. If you want to be a good basketball

player, practice shooting baskets each day. If you want to be a musician, practice an instrument

each day. If you want to be a doctor or nurse, volunteer to work at a clinic or hospital.

Once your first goal becomes a habit, concentrate on another goal. Limit the number of goals

you try to accomplish at one time. Keep track of your progress so you don’t get discouraged.

FIGURE 1. Your short-term goals should be a pathway to the lifestyle

of your long-term goals.

A personal goal is one that represents self-improvement. Personal goals can relate to

areas of learning or physical fitness.

A professional goal is one that represents success in a job or group activity. Examples of

professional goals are becoming a company manager, being elected the chair of a committee,

and perhaps holding public office.

An interpersonal goal is one that represents improved relations with other people. An

example of an interpersonal goal might be getting along better with family, friends, or co-

workers.

What Are Aspects of Good Goals?

For each goal you set, you need to consider seven aspects that relate to effectiveness.

Clarity—The goal being set should be clear and easy to picture. If you can’t imagine

achieving the goal, it lacks clarity.

Optimistic—Believe that your goal will have the

desired outcome. The outcome should be one

that is important and represents an improve-

ment over the current situation.

Challenging—A goal should require you to strive

to achieve it. The challenge of a goal needs to

be high but obtainable. When a challenging goal

is achieved, you experience a sense of accom-

plishment.

Prioritized—Place values on which goal is most

important, second most important, and so on.

Prioritizing allows you to consider the relevant

importance of activities and mark your prog

ress.

Flexible—As people and conditions change, so

must goals. Having flexible goals allows you to

cope with the changes that are constantly

occurring around you.

Measurable—There should be no doubt whether

your goal has been met. The goal should be

specific in what you are going to achieve.

Ways and means—Plan for achieving the goal. A

deadline date may be included.

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FIGURE 2. Setting good goals will help you achieve

career success.

Summary:

A goal is something a person wants to achieve. When you describe what you want to

accomplish in life, you are setting or developing goals based on your values and per

sonal experience. Goal identification is the development of a list of things you want

to accomplish in your life, as you determine what is both important and realistic.

Ways and means are the strategies for achieving goals. You need to formulate a strat

egy to achieve your goals. Goals can be short-term, intermediate-term, or long-

term, depending on the time it takes to achieve them. Goals can be personal, profes

sional, or interpersonal.

Your goals should exhibit clarity, optimism, challenge, priorities, flexibility,

measurability, and the ways and means for achievement.

Checking Your Knowledge:

´ 1. Why is setting goals important?

2. Define “goal identification” and “ways and means.”

3. Explain the difference between short-term, intermediate-term, and long-term

goals.

4. What areas of your life are affected by your personal, professional, and inter-

personal goals?

5. What are seven aspects of setting effective goals?

Expanding Your Knowledge:

Too many of us treat goal setting haphazardly. We dream about what we want to

achieve, but if we don’t set goals, we won’t have the map to get there. For goal set

ting guidelines, explore the website http://topachievement.com/goalsetting.html.

Web Links:

: Personal Goal Setting

http://www.mindtools.com/page6.html

Create Your Ideal Life with Goal Setting

http://www.lululemon.com/education/goalsetting

Goal Setting Sub-Categories

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/bbinfo.php?page=GoalSetting

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