"When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don’t adjust the goals, adjust the action steps".

Goals need to be specific, challenging yet attainable, have deadlines, and have a more learning orientation than being performance-oriented.When goals are used to evaluate performance with regular feedback on the progress, they have a bigger chance of reaching desired results.Basically, goals must be SMART to be truly effective - Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-based.

What makes goals achievable

<ul><li>To maximize the effectiveness of a goal, structure it with a positive approach. Because a negative approach like "stop me from gaining any more weight" adds anxiety and lowers persistence.</li><li>Discouraging fear-based environments encourage people to try again. Reframe errors as opportunities to learn (error management).</li><li>A positive approach provides clear guidelines and expectations. And so, they trigger positive emotions crucial to stay motivated. </li></ul>

A goal-setting framework that works

<ul><li>Setting meaningful goals and working towards them adds a sense of direction, purpose, and meaning to our life.</li><li>The goals we set keeping healthy boundaries in mind build self-confidence, autonomy, and happiness.</li></ul>

Why having life goals is important

<ul><li>People are 50% more likely to achieve their goals if they write it down.</li><li>SMART goals are more effective.</li><li>Making your commitment public or telling it to someone close, increases its chances of succeeding.</li><li>Goals kept to yourself get muddled up with the other 1500 thoughts a minute you have.</li><li>Goal-setting usually has a 90% success rate.</li><li>Goals energize us by providing the impetus to put in more effort.</li></ul>

What 90 years of goal-setting studies reveal

<ul><li>Lack of goals leads to indecision, lack of focus, feelings of leading a dull existence, and symptoms of depressions among other mental health struggles.</li><li>Specific-written goals offer a sense of purpose, meaning, existential structure, and a clear direction to strive for a specific vision of the future.</li><li>Goals show we are responsible for the choices we make and so adds to our self-esteem. They improve our ability to filter through what's important and what's not worth pursuing.</li></ul>

Positive effect of goal-setting on mental health

We address Locke’s goal setting theory of motivation to give you insight into how to personally benefit from them and enable you to live your best life.