3.6 Goal Setting
Adopting self-responsibility and a proactive mindset requires you to set goals. But why are these necessary? And how does one set goals that not only sound good in theory but can also be put into practice effectively?
Why Set Goals?
Setting goals provides direction and purpose, helping you focus your energy on what truly matters and breaking down long-term aspirations into manageable steps. They also boost motivation by giving you a sense of progress and accomplishment as you achieve milestones. Without goals, it’s easy to feel aimless and overwhelmed. But with them, you develop clarity, accountability, and a pathway to growth. Viktor Frankl speaks to the role of goals in fostering meaning and well-being. He writes:
“It can be said that mental health is based on a certain degree of tension, the tension between what one has already achieved and what one still ought to accomplish, or the gap between what one is and what one should become” (Frankl, 2006, pp. 105–106).
Traits of Effective Goals
Specific
Effective goals clearly define what you aim to achieve. Specificity provides a clear focus and makes it easier to create actionable steps. Specific goals are clearly interpreted by multiple individuals and leave little to no room for guessing.
Example: Instead of saying, “I want to get fit,” a more specific goal might be, “I will improve my 1-mile run time by 2 minutes.”
Measurable
A measurable goal allows you to track progress and recognize when it’s achieved.
Example: Instead of aiming to “save money,” a measurable goal might be, “I will save $1000 over six months.” Adding numbers or milestones ensures accountability and provides motivation as you progress.
Realistic
Goals should challenge you without being unattainable. Setting overly ambitious goals can lead to frustration, while overly simple goals may not drive meaningful progress.
Example: Learning a new language fluently in two weeks is unrealistic, but committing to 30 minutes of daily practice over six months is challenging and achievable.
Time Sensitive
Every goal needs a deadline to create urgency and maintain momentum. Deadlines help prioritize tasks and prevent procrastination.
Example: Instead of saying, “I want to write a book,” a time-sensitive goal might be, “I will write one chapter per week and complete my manuscript in six months.”
