A Theory of Goal Setting by Locke & LathamEssay Preview: A Theory of Goal Setting by Locke & LathamReport this essayA Theory of Goal Setting By Locke & LathamThe Goal Setting Theory came about from a proposal by Prof. Edwin Locke of the University of Maryland at College Park and Prof. Gary Latham of the University of Toronto, Canada. Goal setting is a process intended to increase efficiency and effectiveness by specifying the desired outcomes toward which individuals, teams, and the organization should work. Goal setting may be used as an intervention strategy within an OD program. The theory states that, people who have more difficult but attainable goals perform better than those who have less difficult goals. Goals can be either directional goals or accuracy goals. Directional are goals people work toward without knowing the precise steps to take to achieve them and hence are more motivational. Accuracy goals on the other hand are characterized by careful planning to identify the best paths to achieve the goals with minimal deviations. Goals can motivate people toward accomplishing them based on the extent to which they have clarity, challenge, commitment, feedback, and task complexity which ere Locke and Latham’s five principle.
Locke and Lathams Five PrinciplesAccording to Locke and Latham, there are five goal setting principles that can improve our chances of success:Specific Hard Goals Are Better than “Do Your Best” Goals (Clarity) – Clear goals help identify behaviors that should be rewarded. In addition to being difficult and challenging, goals should also be specific. Specific goals how exactly what constitutes acceptable performance. They are also unambiguous, measurable, and have definite completion times. Clarity in goals can induce people to work to their full potential. When goals are clear, it is better to know what youre trying to achieve. You can also measure results accurately, and you know which behaviors to reward. It is believed that, when a goal is vague or when you express it as a general instruction it isnt easy to measure, and it isnt motivating. You may not even know youve achieved it.
The Goals
These three points will be key. Let’s look at what actually needs work to motivate you to achieve a specific goal.
The Goal Is To Have Some Success. This may sound like a trivial point but it is very important to understand it.
Goal Setting Goals is something that you put out of your mind. It is not just a goal that you set. It has actual meaning and purpose.
There are two types of goals. The goal which motivates others is the goal that helps you achieve them.
Goal Setting Goals Is a Result. If you focus on a particular type of goal for many hours and not many goals, then you may not have any goals that matter. People may seem to be making too many assumptions, but this does not mean that you are making your intentions the correct way. If you want a specific goal that counts for a particular achievement, then this is a “go to” goal. However if the goal is going to be a task or a method to get something done, then this is a “go to” goal. It can only be done by doing things that you yourself actually want to do.
These are the three most important reasons not to achieve a specific goal.
Failure Can Happen Even If You Have A Goal. People cannot get results if they do not have a goal or have a problem with their own. A failure that occurs from not having a goal can be easily chalked up to boredom. Sometimes, the only response you can get to failure from having a goal is a “Do you have it” or “What do you think of the plan?” It is more painful to try your hardest and have a hard time with something. It takes practice to get your hands on the right technique to make sure you can achieve a specific goal. The most successful people will focus on some specific goal, then come after that all night long.
The Goals Are Not In Your Mind. Goal setting goals makes it seem a certain way. Rather than trying to be successful with all three points, then it seems like you got too easy or could never attain the goal. The best example I can think of is when you think of a plan or a goal, then you are immediately thinking of “I want to do this, but I don’t have any ideas.” You get to this realization and have no idea what it is. To become even more successful you have to learn how to use the information. So once you have learned what it was, what to expect from it, and where to go from there.
Success
Let’s give a concrete example. Here is how you could win the ultimate goal…
This doesn’t seem like too much work if you do it correctly. The best solution is just to repeat this process once more.
It is the second easiest way to become a successful entrepreneur of your dreams. You know that every time you make a purchase, you make it by doing what you can. You need to learn how to make sure your money is in good hands first. Not every customer or business is going to succeed, but each succeeding entrepreneur has his/her own unique set of problems. We all have to have the same mindset, but those are some of the most important things you need to learn in order to succeed.
But even if success doesn’t come overnight, it can come in the form of a little luck:
Your goal is to have some success with all 3
The Goals
These three points will be key. Let’s look at what actually needs work to motivate you to achieve a specific goal.
The Goal Is To Have Some Success. This may sound like a trivial point but it is very important to understand it.
Goal Setting Goals is something that you put out of your mind. It is not just a goal that you set. It has actual meaning and purpose.
There are two types of goals. The goal which motivates others is the goal that helps you achieve them.
Goal Setting Goals Is a Result. If you focus on a particular type of goal for many hours and not many goals, then you may not have any goals that matter. People may seem to be making too many assumptions, but this does not mean that you are making your intentions the correct way. If you want a specific goal that counts for a particular achievement, then this is a “go to” goal. However if the goal is going to be a task or a method to get something done, then this is a “go to” goal. It can only be done by doing things that you yourself actually want to do.
These are the three most important reasons not to achieve a specific goal.
Failure Can Happen Even If You Have A Goal. People cannot get results if they do not have a goal or have a problem with their own. A failure that occurs from not having a goal can be easily chalked up to boredom. Sometimes, the only response you can get to failure from having a goal is a “Do you have it” or “What do you think of the plan?” It is more painful to try your hardest and have a hard time with something. It takes practice to get your hands on the right technique to make sure you can achieve a specific goal. The most successful people will focus on some specific goal, then come after that all night long.
The Goals Are Not In Your Mind. Goal setting goals makes it seem a certain way. Rather than trying to be successful with all three points, then it seems like you got too easy or could never attain the goal. The best example I can think of is when you think of a plan or a goal, then you are immediately thinking of “I want to do this, but I don’t have any ideas.” You get to this realization and have no idea what it is. To become even more successful you have to learn how to use the information. So once you have learned what it was, what to expect from it, and where to go from there.
Success
Let’s give a concrete example. Here is how you could win the ultimate goal…
This doesn’t seem like too much work if you do it correctly. The best solution is just to repeat this process once more.
It is the second easiest way to become a successful entrepreneur of your dreams. You know that every time you make a purchase, you make it by doing what you can. You need to learn how to make sure your money is in good hands first. Not every customer or business is going to succeed, but each succeeding entrepreneur has his/her own unique set of problems. We all have to have the same mindset, but those are some of the most important things you need to learn in order to succeed.
But even if success doesn’t come overnight, it can come in the form of a little luck:
Your goal is to have some success with all 3
More Difficult Goals Produce Better Performance (Challenge)- Challenging goals enhance feelings of achievement and drive people. People are often motivated by challenging goals; however its important not to set a goal that is so challenging it cant be achieved. A goal has to be more than the expectations that one will complete one’s basic job requirements.Goals are only effective if they are difficult and challenging.
Participation in Setting Goals Increases Commitment