What is meant by goal setting 

Goals are the things we aim to achieve in different areas of life. They give us direction, motivation, and a sense of purpose. Goals can vary in size and timescale, and they may be personal or shared with a team.

• Short-term goals: These are goals that can be achieved in a relatively short period, such as a few days, weeks, or months. Examples include reading a book, learning a new skill, or improving a daily habit.
• Medium-term goals: These require more time and effort, often taking months or a few years to accomplish. Examples include completing a training programme, saving for a special purchase, or improving a particular skill.
• Long-term goals: These are larger goals that take several years to achieve, such as reaching a high level of expertise in a subject, maintaining a healthy lifestyle over time, achieving a qualification, or progressing in a career.

Goals can vary between personal goals or team goals. Personal goals focus on individual growth, such as developing a new ability or improving well-being. Team goals involve working with others towards a shared achievement, such as completing a group project or improving team performance. In this section, we are focused on personal goals.

Why and when setting achievable goals is helpful 

Setting goals is helpful because it gives you direction, motivation, and a clear way to measure progress. When you set goals, you know what you are working towards, which helps you stay focused and organised. It also makes challenges feel more manageable by breaking them into smaller steps.

Goals are most helpful when they follow the SMART approach:

• Specific: Goals should be clear and well-defined. Instead of saying, "I want to get better at something”, specify what exactly you want to improve.
• Measurable: There should be a way to track progress. For example, "I want to read 10 books this year" is measurable because you can count the books.
• Achievable: Goals should be realistic and within reach. Setting goals that are too difficult can lead to frustration, while overly simple goals may not be motivating.
• Relevant: Goals should be meaningful and connected to your priorities. They should contribute to your personal growth or a larger objective.
• Time-bound: Setting a deadline helps to maintain focus and motivation. A goal like "I will complete my training in six months" gives a clear timeframe for achievement.

Using this structure can help ensure that goals are helpful and motivating.

How to set yourself goals effectively 

The stretch zone is the area between comfort and extreme difficulty. Goals in this zone challenge you while still being achievable with effort and persistence. Here’s how to set goals in this zone:

• Push beyond your comfort zone: Choose goals that require new skills or extra effort but are not so difficult that they feel impossible.
• Increase difficulty gradually: If a goal feels overwhelming, break it into steps that gradually become more challenging.
• Balance challenge with ability: Goals should be tough but within your ability to develop the required skills or knowledge over time.
• Seek feedback and support: Discussing your goals with others can help you adjust them to be both ambitious and achievable.
• Embrace learning and setbacks: Being in the stretch zone means facing difficulties. See these as opportunities to grow and adapt rather than reasons to give up.

By setting goals that challenge you in a positive way, you can grow, build confidence, and continue to develop new skills and strengths over time.