Goal setting is the process of developing an action plan designed to motivate and guide a person or group towards a desired outcome. Goals are more deliberate than desires and momentary intentions, and setting goals means that a person has committed thought, emotion, and behavior towards attaining the goal. The importance of goal setting should not be underestimated, as it is the first step towards planning for the future and plays a fundamental role in the development of skills in various facets of life, from work to relationships and everything in between.
There are three types of goals: process, performance, and outcome goals. Process goals are specific actions or ‘processes’ of performing, such as aiming to study for 2 hours after dinner every day. Performance goals are based on personal standards, such as aiming to achieve a 3.5 GPA. Outcome goals are based on winning, such as landing a job in your field or landing a job at a particular place of employment you wanted.
Goal setting can be guided by goal-setting criteria (or rules) such as SMART criteria, which stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. The SMART technique is a good way to create constructive goals, as it helps to create specific, attainable targets for individuals or groups. The process of setting goals helps individuals choose where they want to go in life, and by knowing precisely what they want to achieve, they know where they have to concentrate their efforts.
