Goal setting theory doesn't have to be complicated or hard to follow. Books upon books have been written about the importance of setting goals to get what you want. At times in life it is true, only a passionate belief fueling a vivid goal can get us where we want. On the other hand, many set goals and fail to realize them because they give up.

Here are two goal setting theory approaches. You can pick the best out of each or use the approach that suits your personality and style. They can be summarized as follows:

Goal Setting Theory 1: You just keep the goal there in front of you without sparing a thought as to how you are ever going to reach it.

Goal Setting Theory 2: To achieve your goal you need a specific detailed definition of what you want to achieve and a step by step plan on how to get there.

Let's explore these two aspects of goal setting theory.

Jack Black, a popular motivational speaker in the UK, used a catch phrase "Don't ask how!". His view was, by asking "how", you kill the goal right there. In view of a particular individual's station in life, or environment, or upbringing, the goal may seem like a pie in the sky idea. If a person born in poverty with no connections in life dreamed of being a famous actor, those around them might naturally ask "How?".

Yet there are many life stories of individuals born in very difficult circumstances, with it seems, everything set against them in life, who hold on to a dream, and eventually get there! They don't ask "How?because the goal would probably fizzle out if they did. They just keep it in the front of their mind day in day out, year in year out, and they get there.

RAS (Reticular Activating System) has a role in this. Here is a definition of RAS: "the network in the reticular formation that serves an alerting or arousal function". It describes a particular way the brain works. Have you ever had the experience of wanting a particular automobile? You have in mind an exact model, color, specific extras etc. that you would like. You can just see yourself driving it. Then, within a short time, you start seeing this exact vehicle all over the place. Why? As the brain constantly filters information, your alerting it to a specific object causes it to highlight information relating to it in such a way that you now notice it.

This really is the secret behind goal setting theory that says, "Don't ask how". By keeping the goal in the front of the mind, reminding oneself of it daily, constantly thinking about it, dreaming about it, you are training your brain to identify opportunities and the means or tools needed to get to that goal. It's not that they weren't there all the time. It's just that your brain now selects relevant information in such a way that it almost jumps out at you.

Goal setting theory number 2 some would say is much more realistic. You set an attainable goal. You craft a carefully worded 'mission statement' of what you want to accomplish. You research, find out the resources you will need. You look ahead at potential obstacles and think how to circumnavigate roadblocks. You make a plan. You then take action on the plan. The big goal is broken down into sub-divisions and interim goals. Each sub-goal has a time deadline etc. etc.

Perhaps some are put off with this approach. After all, it does sound like hard work. You might well be exhausted before you even start! It has to be said though that many high achievers in all walks of life, be it business, or sport, or whatever, have carefully planned their goals and got where they wanted.

Aristotle is quoted as saying: "Man is a goal seeking animal. His life only has meaning if he is reaching out and striving for his goals."

So the choice is up to you. Why not take the best of both approaches and combine them, allowing the RAS feature of your brain to highlight information you need, and then develop a plan in the style of approach number 2 to utilize that information.

Maybe goal setting theory number one appeals to your temperament while goal setting theory number two doesn't have any appeal at all. Or it could be the other way round. Whatever your viewpoint, do set goals! There is no doubt they are an essential ingredient in high achievement and satisfaction in life!

Copyright (c) 2009 Michael A Jones