Lecture
3
The Importance of Goals and Goal Setting
Introduction:
We have been studying how self-management can help us control our
reactions to what is happening in our lives and help us lead more
satisfying lives.
We have noticed that self-management is a process that involves
self-motivation and self-discipline. Both are very important. To
help us understand these essential skills, we will study each in
greater depth. This lecture will focus on a strategy we can use to
help us remain self-motivated. The fourth lecture will focus on a
skill to help us remain self-disciplined.
We learned in Lecture 1 that self-motivation means preparing ourselves
for action. Goal setting is a useful strategy to follow if we do
not want to rely on others to encourage us, but prefer, instead,
to take action because it is meaningful for us. What is a goal? How
do you set a goal? Let’s answer each question in turn.
What is a goal?
A goal represents what we hope to complete or accomplish. It is
the aim of an action that we want to do. For a student, a goal may
be to score well on a test. For an athlete, a goal may be to train
for an upcoming competition. For a musician, a goal may be to play
a piece of music by memory. In each of these cases, the goal represents
something that the person consciously desires. For this reason, the
person is willing to work for it.
Goals are an important aspect of self-management. They are especially
useful because they can help us focus our attention and efforts on
that which is important to us.
In each of the examples above, the goal represented something that
was significant and dear to the individual. For the student, it was
performing well on a test; for the athlete, it was winning a competition;
for the musician, it was playing eloquently. We also see that this
made the goal meaningful to them.
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The same reasons can be applied to us when we try to manage our
reactions in life. Once we believe in something that is significant,
dear, and meaningful to us, then we will be more motivated to do
our best for it. If we believe that we can face our problems directly
or “head-on,” then we will try to attain this goal. We
will want to learn those strategies that will help us face our problems.
If we really believe that we can manage our reactions to the challenges
and difficulties we face every day, then we will be motivated to
do so.
Therefore, when we think about goals in the self-management process,
we think about specific objectives or targets that will help us overcome
a problem or challenge that we are facing.
If we are faced with the challenge of learning new material for
an important examination, then our goal may be to prepare a study
plan. If we have the habit of becoming impatient while waiting for
the bus or metro, then our goal may be to develop a way to focus
our thoughts on something different. In either case, we have to be
able to specify what we are going to do to achieve our goal. This
is the idea behind goal setting.
What is goal setting?
Goal setting involves describing the details of a goal. When we
state particular details about our goals, then we get a better picture
of the goal in our minds and will be more willing to work harder
for it.
There is a SMART way to set goals.
S – Specific: When we set goals, it is important to be as
specific as possible.
For example, rather than saying “I want to do well on this
test,” it is better for a student to say “I want to score
85% of questions correctly.” Similarly, salesclerks can set
more specific goals when they say that they will thank each person
for coming to their store even if they do not buy something, rather
than just “being more polite.”
When we are specific, we can work towards something precise.
M – Measurable: If we have set goals that are specific, we
have a measurable way to know whether or not we have achieved our
goals.
For example, the student who only answers 60% of the questions correctly
has not achieved his or her goal. The salesclerk who only thanks
those people who buy something in the store has not achieved the
goal.
When we know if we have or have not achieved the goal that we really
believe in, then we should be motivated to take more action to try
harder.
A – Action-oriented: Our goals should have us doing something;
that is, they should involve action and not just wishes.
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For
example, the student whose goal is to answer 85% of the questions
will develop and then follow a plan to study and learn the
material that will be on the test. Similarly, the sales clerk will
make the
deliberate effort to smile and thank all the people who visit
the store.
In both examples, the people are active and involved in the process.
R – Realistic: The goals that we set must be realistic. This
means that they should be reasonable and achievable. They should
not be so difficult that they are impossible for us to reach.
For example, the goal of scoring 85% on a difficult test is more
realistic than wanting to score 99%. Similarly, smiling and thanking
all customers in the store is a realistic goal for salesclerks who
want to develop a reputation for caring and helping their customers.
T – Timely: When our goals are specific, measurable, action-oriented,
and realistic, we will be motivated to achieve them in a timely manner.
This means that we should be able to achieve our goals within a suitable
period of time.
For example, perhaps the student will prepare a study plan
over four days. Perhaps the salesclerk will want to improve the quality
of service within one week.
Both examples provide a time reference to help them achieve their
goals.
Conclusion:
Goals and goal setting are important aspects of self-management
because they can help with self-motivation.
SMART goals help us focus our attention and efforts on that which
is significant, dear, and meaningful when we really believe that
we can manage our reactions to the challenges and difficulties we
face every day.
Questions to Discuss with Others:
- How can goal setting help you remain self-motivated?
- What are some of your current goals?
- Write down a goal for something you wish to accomplish in
the near future. Share this with a friend and let them decide
how SMART the goal is.
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