Setting Yourself Goals
“Setting Yourself Goals” is a concise comprehensive guide on the theory, importance, and techniques of goal setting, that works.
The document delves into the goal-setting theory, emphasising the ideas proposed by E.A. Locke and G. Latham, which include the rational setting of task-related goals, the importance of specific, accepted, and attainable goals, and the role of feedback in performance. It highlights how goal setting affects behaviour, performance, and satisfaction.
This book also discusses the role of motivation in goal setting, suggesting that identifying values, beliefs, and desires is crucial for maintaining motivation. It stresses the importance of realistic, possible, flexible, measurable, and controllable goals. Personal circumstances and the need to adapt goals accordingly are also covered.
The importance of goal setting is illustrated through examples of professionals who manage their time effectively. The book outlines steps for setting goals and objectives, such as identifying exact goals, setting completion dates, and adapting goals as circumstances change.
Various goal-setting techniques are provided, including evaluating what you want, getting real about your strengths and weaknesses, planning, focusing on one goal at a time, and monitoring and re-evaluating progress. The book also offers a goal-setting strategy that involves identifying core and secondary values, daily activities, and specific action steps.
Finally, you are provided with tips on goal setting, such as starting from the top to bottom, defining areas of division, setting benchmarks, and knowing when to stop pursuing a goal.
Some Key Takeaways:
Goal setting theory by Locke and Latham emphasizes specific, accepted, and attainable goals.
Goals should be rationally set and task-related.
Performance is influenced by goal difficulty, with challenging goals leading to higher performance.
Motivation is driven by past actions and experiences.
Clear goals lead to better performance.
Satisfaction is higher when difficult goals are achieved.
