Goal Setting for Career Success

June 17, 2008 4:05 pm Goal Setting

Very rarely has a research study or case analysis been introduced that suggests that successful people are the ones that do not set goals or have a vision. Obviously, quite the opposite is true. Goal setting is generally ranked near the top of the list of skills or habits shared by the most successful and most accomplished people in any profession or walks of life.

What is it that makes goal setting effective? After all, goal setting does not force one to work smartly, create brilliantly, or service with care. It does, however provide the direction that helps people do all these things and more. People that take the time to write down and establish goals usually have a plan, and have ambition. There is a very common, but inspiring saying, “What the mind can conceive and believe the mind can achieve.”

Implementation is certainly required for goals to be realized. Most people agree this step is much harder than setting the goals. However, people that have no goals to begin with often find themselves floundering about, completing tasks or putting out fires as they come up. This usually leads to uncertainty of purpose, lack of motivation, and a loss of the esteem that builds from seeing goals come to fruition.

Goals are a precursor to confidence, if used effectively. There are two basic elements that make goals useful:

1. The first is that goals must be achievable. Routinely setting goals that are virtually impossible is a setup for routine failure.
2. The goals must be challenging. This means there should be a possibility that the goal will not be achieved without solid implementation and consistent effort.

A goal should force someone to work hard and take steps that lead to growth and success. Combined with the confidence that comes from goal realization, growth develops overtime through continued movement higher of the bar for accomplishment.