Why is goal setting so critical to personal and professional success? What makes a goal more likely to be accomplished? Be sure to integrate expert sources from the assigned readings or from your own research.

Responding to a student DQ
Why is goal setting so critical to personal and professional success? What makes a goal more likely to be accomplished? Be sure to integrate expert sources from the assigned readings or from your own research.

Student Response:
Elissa S

Goals help clarify and refine one’s vision, which in turn illuminates values and, ultimately, purpose and meaning (Smith, 2019). When one knows their purpose, they can live with intention (Williams & Menendez, 2015).

Smith (2019) argues that, to be successful, goal setting must include self-efficacy, passion, and commitment; one must be willing to persevere. To ensure that goals meet this requirement, one approach is to create SMART goals.

In fact, much writing about the best approach to goal creation involves the SMART technique. According to the Smart Goals Guide (2018), the most popular definition of the acronym is specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-based. There are many other definitions in use, but the mere act of breaking down goals in such a way can help identify and simplify the goal-making process, thus making the goals more likely to be met (Smart Goals Guide, 2018). Another word that is used for SMART goals is “attractive” (Smith, 2019). Making a goal attractive will help foster the passion that Smith (2019) describes as paramount to reaching goals. In addition, the Smart Goals Guide (2018) notes that many people opt for SMART-ER goals, adding ideas such as continually evaluating goals and having a reward. Both of these concepts are in line with the ideas of Smith (2019) and Williams and Menendez (2017): it is easier to accomplish goals when they ignite passion and are in line with one’s core values.

Creating parameters like the various definitions of SMART provides a way to hold yourself accountable while working towards goals.

References

Smart Goals Guide. (2018). What is a smart goal? https://www.smart-goals-guide.com/smart-goal.html

Smith, G. (2019). Career conversations: How to get the best from your talent pool. John Wiley & Sons. https://library-books24x7-com.lopes.idm.oclc.org/assetviewer.aspx?bookid=149720&chunkid=211951155¬eMenuToggle=0&leftMenuState=1

Williams, P., & Menendez, D. S. (2015). Becoming a professional life coach. W.W. Norton & Co.https://digital.wwnorton.com/9976/r/goto/cfi/6!/4

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