The end of 2019 is rapidly approaching. It can be a very hectic time at work and at home with work deadlines, family commitments and various end of year festivities and celebrations. Most people will be looking forward to having some time off for a well-earned break in late December and January 2020. It is an important time to renew and re-energise oneself and to reflect on the achievement of your 2019 career, financial and personal goals, and to set goals for the coming year.
Starting with the best intentions we often set important goals and end up wasting our valuable time, and become frustrated because we have not achieved these.
Locke’s goal setting theory* is used extensively in organisational psychology, sports psychology, and the motivation of human behaviour. Research of more than 100 studies shows positive effects due to goal setting. In 90% of these studies, performance was increased because setting goals kept you focused and directed your behaviour.
Personal goal setting and implementing meaningful goals provides us with a sense of direction, purpose, and meaning in life. It can mean the difference between achieving what you want in life rather than dreaming about it. Here are a few tips to help you set and achieve your goals in 2020.
1. Start with a visioning and purpose exercise. What type of person do you want to be? What is your long-term legacy? What values are important to you? Think about these questions with regard to each of the following areas of your life. Your work (career), financial and personal (family, health, leisure,relationships, creativity) goals.
2. Write these down; it increases the likelihood that you will achieve your goal by 50%. It will give you clarity about what steps you need to take to achieve these goals and is the foundation of your action plan.
3. According to Locke, more challenging goals lead to higher performance because difficult goals require more attention, motivation and commitment. Stretch yourself, be realistic and clear about what actions and resources you need. Use the SMART an anacronym to guide this process. Are your goals Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time bound?
4. Explain your goals to someone that you are close to. Making this ‘public commitment’ increases your chance of achieving your goals and reduces the possibility that thinking about your goals is mixed up with the 1,500 thoughts that the average person experiences by the minute.
5. Review your goals and your action plan often. This will help you stay focused and on track for success. They may need to be adjusted due to changed situations and circumstances. It is important not to set your goals and then forget them!
The tips above can help you launch into 2020 with new purpose and direction and increase your self-confidence and happiness.
*Edwin Locke and Gary Latham’s Goal-setting theory refers to the effects of setting goals on subsequent performance. Locke’s Goal- setting theory’s 5 Principles are:-
Clarity; Challenge; Commitment; Feedback and Task Complexity. Edwin Locke and Gary Latham found that individuals who set specific, difficult goals performed better than those who set general, easy goals.
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