Goal Setting Theory

Goal Setting Theory. How does goal-setting work? Qualities of a Goal. Performance and Goal.

Goal-Setting Theory

The Goal-setting theory defines how human beings act or behave due to a specific purpose. Basically, people have needs so they set objectives and goals for themselves in order to meet those needs. There can be various skills involved when trying to achieve a number of goals in which the outcomes also differ.

How does goal-setting work?

1. A person who accomplishes his goal feels successful, competent and useful in society. In relation to motivation, he feels motivated to continue improving and developing his skills.
2. A person who doesn’t accomplish his goal feels unsuccessful and unsatisfied. However, he feels motivated to improve and develop his skills so as not to fail again.

Qualities of a Goal

To properly motivate yourself toward a goal, you also have to define your goal. A goal must be:

1. Specific. The goal should be clear and understandable. All details before, during and upon achievement of the goal must be indicated, including the advantages and disadvantages of failure and success.
2. Challenging. There should be enough obstacles and challenges to make a goal worth achieving. A person will only be driven to put effort into an activity if his abilities are faced with the type of stress that proves to be difficult to overcome.
3. Attainable. In conjunction with being challenging, the goal must be realistically attainable. A person will only continue to act and behave if he believes that the goal and needs can be met.

Performance and Goal

The performance of the person depends on the nature and characteristic of the goal. The harder the goal, the more likely the person will perform to the fullest of his potential. There are three ways in which goals can affect performance.

1. The performance focuses on the goal. A person with a set goal will be motivated to direct all his efforts and creativity toward achieving it, putting aside other unimportant matters.
2. Setting goals requires more specific effort. You have to perform according to the details set by the determined goal. This refers to time, quality and efficiency.
3. Goals encourage persistence. On the road to achieving your goal, you will be encountering difficulties and setbacks. However, motivation will allow you to continue working to succeed.

How is goal-setting related to motivation?

When people set goals for themselves, motivation enters the picture by initiating a behavior or action required for accomplishment of the goal. Motivation continues to direct the behavior and makes the appropriate adjustments in type and level of performance to ensure that the person focuses on the goal. Motivation maintains the appropriate behavior until the goal is met. In other words, goal-setting is an important motivational process.

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