Goal Setting

An idea of a person or a company of their future plans/objectives and how they are going to achieve it can simply be called as goal setting. It is a way of formally and constructively planning in order to achieve the needed. Foster (2013) states that that “setting goals put you in the driver’s seat”. This is due to the fact that it gives you control of your life and to precisely accomplish targets in your life by avoiding obstructions that might come in the way of achieving it.

Setting goals helps in making the present vision into a future reality. They are done step-wise, by deciding on the goal then deciding on the ways to achieve it by breaking it down to levels and finally working towards the ultimate result.

As stated by Stanley (2013) and Mayland Community College (2004), the following are some benefits of goal setting.

• ·         Transforms dreams/visions into a reality
• ·         Helps in maintaining focus and the direction in achieving the ultimate purpose
• ·         Reflects a person’s values as goals are guided by values and behaviors
• ·         Helps to be aware of ones strengths and weaknesses
• ·         Enhances and empowers the decision making capabilities
• ·         Increases motivation and give a purpose to do tasks
• ·         Helps to accept victory and defeat as one as well as to be responsible for one’s own actions

There are many ways that goals can be set. SMART goal setting is one of the popular and effective methods of goal setting. The following diagram depicts how to set SMART goals as stated by Extension (2008)

Figure 1 - SMART goals (Extension, 2008)

As shown above, in order to create SMART goals there are 5 areas that should be fulfilled. These goals can be further broken as short term, medium term and long term goals. Extension (2008) stated describes short term goals as goals that can be attained within a few days, weeks or months. Medium term goals are achievable within months or a couple of years and long term goals are achievable in more than 3-4 years. As requested by the lecturer, the author listed down her goals as follows

1. 1.      Short term

ü  Find a project proposal by the end of November

ü  Obtain A grades for the 3 current modules

1. 2.      Medium term

ü  Obtain a 1^st Class in completion of the BIT Degree in year 2014 by maintaining grades above 13

ü  To get a new mobile by beginning of 2015 with the author’s own money, the latest model at that time.

1. 3.      Long term

ü  Travel to Spain, Italy, France, Hawaii, Egypt and Greece before 2020 in business class

ü  To own a 5 star restaurant by the age of 35

Mackenzie (2013) states that another method for effective goal setting is GROW model. This helps in problem solving, generating good decisions and learning new skills. The GROW model can be described as follows.  

           G (Goal) – goals that are set, short or long term

           R (Reality) – asking question that helps to see reality and to improve self-awareness

           O (Option) – suggesting many options as possible which are creative and unique

           W (Will) – choosing the best option and how to embark on achieving through that

Learning about setting effective goals is important to everyone. Though people doesn’t realize, goals are set all the time, every minute every day. However small or big the goal is it’s important to know the correct way of setting the goal and working towards it. The effective methods that are used for goal setting should be learned and be applied when setting one’s own goal as they will give a solid foundation and guidance in achieving those goals. It helps in eliminating the risks of setting unrealistic and unplanned goals. Therefor the author would like to conclude that it’s important to have goals as persons or as an organization, and it’s more important to know how to achieve those goals effectively and successfully.

References

Extension. 2008. What are SMART Goals?. [online] Available at: http://www.extension.org/pages/11229/what-are-smart-goals#.Unz1bY2VOos [Accessed: 4 Nov 2013].

Foster, B. 2013. 10 Steps to Successful Goal Setting. [online] Available at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bradley-foster/how-to-set-goals_b_3226083.html [Accessed: 4 Nov 2013].

Mackenzie, B. 2013. Goal Setting. [online] Available at: http://www.brianmac.co.uk/goals.htm [Accessed: 4 Nov 2013].

Mayland Community College. 2004. Setting goals for success. [e-book] Mayland Community College. Available through: http://www.mayland.edu/aca111/GoalSetting.pdf [Accessed: 4 Nov 2013].

Stanley, C. 2013. The Advantages of Goal Setting. [online] Available at: http://www.christianpost.com/news/the-advantages-of-goal-setting-96016/ [Accessed: 4 Nov 2013].