Goal setting theory was born out of Aristotle’s theory of final causality and then researched in greater detail by Edwin A. Locke in the 1960s to understand how goals can influence an individual’s performance.
The basic theory behind goal setting is that human behavior is galvanized and governed by goals and ambition.

Today, goal setting theory has become a subject of vast interest, not only for those studying organizational psychology, but for anyone seeking to increase productivity, enhance performance and reach for greater heights of success.

Why Goal Setting Theory Works
Goals are able to motivate and spur you to meet your ambitions because it helps you focus your efforts on that objective.

We’ve all faced a situation at some point in our lives, where we’ve set out to meet a particular goal, but somewhere along the line, we got sidetracked and eventually failed to attain the objective.

The reason for getting sidetracked can be attributed to a few factors, but the most common one is probably the absence of goal setting.

Every objective we have requires a list of tasks to be executed.

By setting goals, we’re able to persist with the list of tasks and are compelled to develop strategies in order to reach our objective.

Students and athletes are a good example of why goal setting works so well.

They’re under pressure to excel and meet the targets that their teachers and coaches have set for them. The likelihood of them succeeding is higher when goals are created to spur them on at every stage of their development.

The incredible results achieved with the goal setting theory explain why it’s not just colleges, universities and sports institutions that use it to obtain results, but in businesses too where survival is based on ensuring positive outcomes.

Why It’s Important To Set Goals
We know that the goal setting theory works, so now, let’s find out why it’s so important to set goals to get us to where we want to be.

Whether it’s a job you seek, a vacation you want to take with your family, a business you hope to launch, or a debt that you want to get rid of, there’s always something new that we humans want.

Having objectives is not the issue, but striving to attain them is.

For example, many folks have the desire to get rid of their debt, but they struggle to do so because either they aren’t aware of the actions to take, or they can’t persist with the actions needed to end their debt.

That’s why it’s important to set goals, as it quickly identifies the specific steps required to attain whatever it is you want.

Here’s how you can put the goal setting theory to work for you right now:

State your goals in specific terms. Understand what your goals are and know why you’re selecting these goals.

Make your goals attainable. There is no point setting goals you believe are unattainable. The best way to do this is to break your goals down into actionable steps.

Measure your goals. Set a timeframe, or a milestone that can put the pressure on you to meet your objectives.

Goal setting works and it’s now up to you to use it to create your own success story.