Goal setting is a common practice in organizations and can lead to improved performance and productivity. But many companies struggle to properly execute the goal setting process. Here are 5 tips to help you set and achieve goals.

1. 5 Fool-Proof Ways to Set and
Accomplish Productive Goals
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2. Goal setting
is a common practice in organizations…
If done well, goals lead the way to
improved productivity and
performance…
Yet, most organizations fall victim
to how they are executed.
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3. Want to share one of these ways to set
or accomplish goals?
Click the
at the bottom of each page to tweet a tip!
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4. 5 Ways to Set and Accomplish Productive Goals
1
Keep it simple
2
Define clear, actionable behaviors
3
Set many, mini goals
4
Forget stretch goals
5
Celebrate!
© 2013 Aubrey Daniels International, Inc. All rights reserved.
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5. Before We Begin: The Problem with Stretch Goals
• Stretch goals don’t work!
• It’s been proven, stretch
goals are met only 10% of
the time
• Setting realistic goals that
motivate employees to do
more is more successful
• The potential to deliver
positive reinforcement is
diminished with stretch
goals
© 2013 Aubrey Daniels International, Inc. All rights reserved.
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6. 5 Steps for Setting & Accomplishing Productive Goals
1 Keep it Simple
Focus on just 1-2 things at a time. Trying to
accomplish too many things at once prevents you
from being able to do any one of them well.
© 2013 Aubrey Daniels International, Inc. All rights reserved.
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7. 5 Steps for Setting & Accomplishing Productive Goals
2 Define Clear, Actionable Behaviors
Think about what needs to be done to accomplish
the goal. Break down the steps into concise
actions you can take.
© 2013 Aubrey Daniels International, Inc. All rights reserved.
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8. 5 Steps for Setting & Accomplishing Productive Goals
3 Set Many, Mini Goals
To increase your probability for success, break
big goals into smaller, more easily achievable
ones. Positive reinforcement accelerates
performance and therefore, the more
reinforcement opportunities available, the faster
and greater the improvement.
As the saying goes, success breeds success.
© 2013 Aubrey Daniels International, Inc. All rights reserved.
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9. 5 Steps for Setting & Accomplishing Productive Goals
4 Forget Stretch Goals
Eliminate goals that are
too hard to reach. Setting
a goal too high and not
reaching it quickly
enough will only result in
getting discouraged, and
giving up.
© 2013 Aubrey Daniels International, Inc. All rights reserved.
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10. 5 Steps for Setting & Accomplishing Productive Goals
5 Celebrate!
Reward and recognize success every time a
milestone or goal is reached. Recognizing even
incremental progress towards a goal provides more
frequent opportunities for reinforcement.
The more reinforcement, the greater the
likelihood the desired behavior will be
repeated, and the more likely
achievement of long-term goals
will be made.
Making accomplishments visible and
sharing them publicly (when appropriate)
creates more reinforcement from peers,
groups, and management teams who
recognize and acknowledge your success.
© 2013 Aubrey Daniels International, Inc. All rights reserved.
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11. Think SMART
A quick and easy way to remember the basics of goal
setting is to think SMART:
• Small
• Measurable
• Achievable
• Relevant
• Timely
Follow these guidelines next time you have a goal to
reach and see the difference you experience in getting
results.
ick and easy way to remember the basics of goal
setting is to think SMART. Variations of this acronym
are floating around business blogs and columns but
© 2013 Aubrey Daniels International, Inc. All rights reserved.
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12. Learn More!
Check out these resources including blogs, podcasts,
and video on setting goals and getting things done.
Can you tell we really don’t like stretch goals?
• Blog: Goal Setting 101: Stretch Goals Might Kill
Employee Motivation
• Article: Why Stretch Goals Waste Time And Money
• Podcast: Oops #2: Stretch Goals
• Video: Productivity and the Premack Principle
Want more advice and tips on workplace issues? Stay
connected with us!
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