The reality of goal-setting, an example

Dr. Gail Matthews, a researcher at Dominican University, conducted a study highlighting the benefits of writing down goals and action plans.

267 participants were recruited for the study from businesses and professional networking groups. The participants were then divided into five groups:

• The first group set no goals and had no concrete plans.
• The second group set goals but did not prepare a plan to execute them.
• The third group prepared well-defined goals and plans of action to achieve them.
• The fourth group prepared well-defined goals and plans of action, then sent these to a supportive friend.
• The fifth group prepared well-defined goals and plans of action, then sent these to a supportive friend, together with weekly progress reports.

Results revealed that the fifth group, who had their goals written with tangible plans of action and drew on the support of a friend to hold them accountable to do what they said, accomplished significantly more than all the other groups.