How useful and effective is Goal Setting in the work environment?

Interesting question Timothy O. One size doesn't fit all. For me personally, I am energized more by the freedom of being more random and not burdened by limiting bookends set by others. I never had a goal to be self employed or self unemployed my journey evolved and my intentions became more obvious. Being unencumbered by goals, expectations, have to's and must do's can be a trap. A goal driven environment would not be a match for me. Is it for you? Only you know the true answer to that. For many security trumps personal growth. Goals motivate and or manipulate people to take action. Actions taken that violate your unique Personal Guidance System will bring with it stress, anxiety, worry, depression and burnout. A 10 % increase in production off of last years number maybe doable yet organizationally self serving and individually self defeating for the top producer. So which is more energizing for you, being inspired inside and being led by your clear intentions or led by some external goal set by some one else. Whatever floats your boat. Please sing Row Row Row Your Boat out loud and really listen to the words. If you want too! I discovered along my career journey that I don't like to be told what do. As I became more self aware (disappointments, failures, financial issues, relationship problems) and investments in personal growth (books, DVD's, CD's, Therapy, Intensive workshops, professional certifications) costing many thousands of dollars I have a strong opinion. I am not a strong proponent of Goal setting I am more into intentions and desired outcomes/results as part of a Synergistic Process where the whole is greater then the sum of the parts with less focus on "individual goals" and more emphasis on inspiring visions and inspired leadership that walks its talk.

Goal setting is a key skill in the work environment. Setting goals enables you to clarify with other people what you are trying to do, what you plan to accomplish and in what time frame. Setting goals also clarifies for others what you need for them to do or contribute. , and therefore what they need to do to contribute or support.

Following are some of the benefits of goal setting and how they can make you a more effective person:
- Clear focus - goals that are properly thought out help you to define the things you really want to achieve.
- Use of resources - a clearly defined goal ensures that you understand the resources that are needed and how to use them in the most effective manner.
- Effective time management - enough said...if you understand what you want to achieve and what you need to achieve it, you can better plan the time needed to get it done.
- Clarity - we all have a lot on our mind...writing down your goals can help you to take all of those ideas, prioritize them and then take action.
- Easier to quantify - setting goals allows you to measure how well you are doing to achieve them and in measuring success
- Communication with others - when a goal is written down it is easier for others to understand what you are doing and trying to achieve.

People who set goals are more likely to success than those who do not! Goal setting is effective for both your personal and professional life and it's never too late to get started!

Hi Timothy,

Effective goal setting is extremely useful in the workplace, especially for long-term projects. At Google, every single person in the company sets quarterly goals which are measurable and drive business impact or results. At the end of every quarter you assess your progress against your goals. One way you could harness the power of goal setting is to set clear goals each quarter and then assess your progress.

Hope this helps!
Amanda

As my peer Amanda noted, goal setting is extremely important. We have a process called GQM (goal-question-metric) which helps us determine how to measure what is important to the organization. Without the goal, you will NOT be successful. In the first part of my career, I did not set goals. I somewhat coasted along. From someone who made that mistake early on, I am telling you now NOT to do so yourself. The fact that you are asking this question is quite telling. Kudos to you and develop that plan.

From a development perspective I think its very important to set yourself goals and to keep your goal plan updated, when you complete actions or update them as demands change.

This is also key within a global company where performance reviews and rewards are linked with your goal and performance plans. It's kind of a 'bragging sheet' where you have clearly defined what you set out and agreed with your manager on what you would achieve, and then a regular review throughout the year, means at the end of the year you can clearly define what you have achieved and how you did it with no surprises.

Understanding expectations of every role is critical not just for your immediate goals but longer term as well. Once you understand those expectations, lay out plans for how your contributions will allow you to achieve. I think you'll find that approach useful not just professionally (in your career) but personally as well.

Goal setting is not only useful and effective in the work environment, but should be considered a valuable life skill. No one starts running a marathon the first day, you need to train and work yourself up by running 5Ks, then half-marathons, then full marathons. Just like in the workplace, any large endeavors or projects should be broken down into shorter goals and objectives with timelines, roles, responsibilities and success criteria outlined for each, with regular intervals of review and assessement to ensure the project is on track. Same can be applied to your career path. If there is a goal title or position you're seeking, outlining a roadmap of goals to get there in terms of training, education and work experience, will give you a stronger chance of achieving it. Otherwise it's like throwing a dart at a dartboard and hoping for the best.

Extremely. Organization is key to a successful career. Take the time to set daily goals as well as weekly. Start small and work your way up!