Getting ready to set a new goal? But is it worthy of you? Is it a big juicy goal or a starter goal? If you’ve missed meeting goals in the past you may be tempted to set a teeny tiny goal to ensure success this time. But there’s a danger to that approach.
Research shows that setting a goal that’s not challenging is worse than not setting a goal at all. Why? Because it decreases your self-esteem and self-efficacy (your belief in your abilities to achieve your goals). If you don’t meet your teeny tiny goal you develop the belief that you set goals, but you don’t accomplish them. Even the little ones. That’s worse than not setting goals at all.
Here a couple of other things that Goal Research has found:
- Setting a difficult goal can hep you feel more positive than little ones.
- “Hard goals lead to more pride and self-respect.” Mento, Locke, Klein (1992)
- Difficult goals are more likely to increase your of self-efficacy – a belief in your ability given the conditions.
- Big goals do require more energy but you are less likely to experience a feeling of burnout.
- Be specific. Even if your big goals are set by someone else (your boss for example). Do Your Best goals are the ones least likely to lead to increased performance. They’re too vague.
If you’re thinking of setting a new goal, make sure it’s a Big Juicy one. One that is worthy of you.
