


Although his studies focused more on athletic and sports-oriented goal-setting, the findings held for peak performers across all professions. and a working psychologist at the University of Washington emphasized on three essential features of goal-setting, which he called the A-B-C of goals. Locke, a pioneer in the field of goal-setting, found that individuals who had highly ambitious goals had a better performance and output rate than those who didn’t (Locke, 1996).įrank L. In a study conducted on working professionals, Edwin A. It guides us to choose the right moves, at the right time, and in the right way. Goal setting in psychology refers to a successful plan of action that we set for ourselves. What is Goal Setting? A Psychological Definition
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In the following sections, we will take an in-depth look into how goal-setting influences the mind to change for the better, and contribute to making smarter decisions for ourselves.īefore you continue, we thought you might like to download our three Goal Achievement Exercises for free. This post is all about understanding the benefits of goal-setting and implementing that knowledge in our day-to-day lives. Setting goals are linked with higher motivation, self-esteem, self-confidence, and autonomy (Locke & Latham, 2006), and research has established a strong connection between goal-setting and success (Matthews, 2015).

“ Goal-setters see future possibilities and the big picture.” It is a plan that holds us in perspective – the more effectively we make the plan, the better are our chances of achieving what we aim to. It gives meaning to our actions and the purpose of achieving something higher.īy setting goals, we get a roadmap of where we are heading to and what is the right way that would lead us there. Goal-setting in psychology is an essential tool for self-motivation and self-drivenness – both at personal and professional levels.

Imagine yourself going to work aimlessly every day, talking to others without a reason, working out just because you have to, and not having any aspirations for yourself or those around you.
