The power of goal setting
We all set goals for ourselves in one form or another – some may be career focused, fitness focused or even domestic goals such as getting to the bottom of the laundry basket. However big or small, setting goals is a great way to clarify what is it you want to do and track your progress towards it. Setting goals is very important and can have a variety of benefits.
What are the benefits of goal setting? Improved performance is one benefit of goal setting, as goals help to encourage us to input higher levels of effort which can lead to an increase in continual effort. Goal setting can also help us to develop strategies so we can do what is required in order to achieve the goals we set for ourselves. Achieving the goals that we set can also be beneficial, as this can increase feelings of satisfaction and improve motivation.
Goal setting has also been found to be beneficial towards our mental health. Researchers found that goal setting can improve the outcomes of treatments, and can also make individuals more likely to accept a mental health referral. Goal setting has also been used in interpersonal psychotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy and problem solving therapy for treating depression.
Researchers have found that there are five key goals setting principles that can improve the chances of goal achievement. The first is clarity. Clarity prevents the confusion that often occurs with generic, unclear goals. The second is challenge, as challenging goals help you to accomplish more by encouraging you to think beyond your comfort zone. Commitment is a principle which helps you achieve the goals set. Feedback allows you to know whether what you’re doing and how your doing it is right, and helps you to effectively plan your actions. Finally, task complexity. This is important as goals that are set should be level with the goals complexity.
Goals are found to be more achievable when:
Goals are specific and challenging.
You believe that you can achieve the said goal.
There is a set deadline to achieve this goal.
You are committed to achieving this goal.
Overall, goal setting is a great tool that can help us to progress throughout our lives. They help to keep us accountable, motivated and to prioritise the different things in our lives. Goal setting can be beneficial for students, in businesses, for people monitoring their mental and physical health - pretty much anyone! You can begin goal-setting by keeping a goal setting journal. Here you can write down and reflect on your goals, track your progress and make note of your successful completions and any struggles you have had and how you can or have overcame them. Having a visual representation of your goals can be helpful in seeing how far you have come to achieving your goals.