The theory of goal setting. Why it's the only theory you really need to know

The theory of goal setting is simple, your ability to understand and fully grasp it's principles will launch you intoa whole other level.

Obviously since you are even reading this you are ready to take that next step. Correction, you are itching to take that next step. Well you're in luck because the goal setting will help you get there!

There have been many studies done on human behavior and the things that makes us tick.

Why do we do the things we do? what keeps up motivated? Why are goals important? One particular study by Locke and Graham seems to have hit the nail on the head.

They say that goals act a motivators because when we develop them, we tend to compare and contrast what we're doing now with what is specifically required to obtain that goal or dream.

In turn many of us take a look at our current life and our current performance and realize that "what a minute, what am I really doing here?" We realize we are not happy with our current situation and we then strive to achieve a better life and to improve on our performance to get there.

Sound easy enough right? In actuality, that part about stepping back and comparing our current lives with our "wannabe" lives doesn't happen often enough.

Very few people take the right inventory of their life and very few people don't even actually take action to develop and map out targets and goals to work towards.

That's the big step folks. Once we step back and really assess our situation, it forces us into this very uncomfortable state. We realize that something is wrong and we may not be on track.

Successful people are motivated by this discomfort and use it to inspire them to make change. Un-successful people take that discomfort and sulk around saying "why me?"

The theory of goal setting is all about letting that discomfort and that unhappiness drive you to achieving your goals.

Doing self inventory is always a tedious project. It's similar to cleaning out your closet, you dread doing it but onceyou get started you get into the zone and become a cleaning machine! At the end of it your closet is so much moreorganized, there is structure and as a bonus you discover that you had more clothes than you thought.

This is exactly what happens when you embark on a goal setting journey. You add structure and focus to your life that will help to more clearly direct you to your goals and you discover strengths about yourself that you never knew were there.

The theory of goal setting is simple, but human beings are complicated. Get out of your head and stop complicating thematter.

Just take a step back, take a deep breath and dive into writing down your goals, doing self inventory and finally achieving your goals.

Return to Smart Goal Setting from Theory Of Goal Setting