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Advanced Goal Analysis

Step 1: List your goals

List up to 7 goals that you are currently pursuing. This can be small goals or large goals, anything that you
are aiming to accomplish. Use the form in Appendix A to list your goals. An example of a completed form is
shown in Appendix F.

Step 2: Understanding the different types of goals

Goals can be categorized along different dimensions. Take, for instance, specificity. Goals differ in how
specific they are. While some goals are very specific (e.g., “I want to lose 5 pounds”), others are rather vague
(“e.g., I want to lose some weight”). The table displayed in Appendix B provides an overview of the most
important dimensions along which we can categorize goals. Take some time to study the table.

Step 3: Goal analysis

Now that you have learned about the different types of goals, let us take a look at the list of goals that you
made in step 1.

Consider the five goal dimensions explained in step 2. Using these five dimensions, indicate which type
of goal best matches each of your personal goals. Is it short-term or long-term? Approach or avoidance?
Learning or performance? Use the scoring form shown in Appendix C. For each goal, put an X in the column
that corresponds with the type of the goal. If you find it difficult or impossible to categorize a goal along a
certain dimension, you can decide to leave this dimension open. An example of a completed form is shown
in Appendix G.

Step 4: Goal evaluation

Each type of goal has benefits and drawbacks. While some types of goals should be avoided (such as vague
goals), other types of goals work best in particular situations or particular combinations. By understanding
the pros and cons of the different types of goals, you can formulate goals in a way that is most likely for them
to become realized.

In this step, you are going to examine step 3 of your goal analysis and determine how effective and helpful
each goal is. Look at the table displayed in Appendix D. This table provides an overview of all the benefits
and drawbacks of each type of goal, including advice.

Use this table to evaluate each of your personal goals. Now that you have analyzed and evaluated them,
are there goals that could be improved? You may think of reframing these goals, combining them with other
goals, or maybe even abandoning them. Use the form in Appendix E to list each goal that can be improved
below and briefly describe how you might improve them.

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Appendix A: Your personal goals

Goal #1

Goal #2

Goal #3

Goal #4

Goal #5

Goal #6

Goal #7

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 Dimension Type of goal Description Example

proximity short-term This goal can be achieved in the near future “Tomorrow, I will write chapter X.”

long-term This is a goal one envisions for the distant future. “At the end of this year, I have written two
books.”

specificity Clear These goals have a clearly defined end-state. “I will write 1 chapter.”

vague These goals are ambiguous or diffuse in the exact level of “I will do some writing.”
performance that is required to achieve them.
Appendix B: Different types of goals

action-orientation approach These goals are defined as being focused on moving towards “I will finish writing chapter 4.”
a positive outcome.

avoidance These goals are defined as being focused on moving away “I will try to avoid not finishing chapter 4.”
from a negative outcome.
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purpose learning These goals have the purpose of developing or acquiring an “I will complete this course so that I can
attribute, such as knowledge or skills. improve my writing skills.”

performance These goals have the purpose of validating personal “I will complete this course cum laude so that
attributes, such as ability, and seeking positive evaluations of others will praise me.”
those attributes from others.

duration of process These goals require continuous action. “I will write three pages every day.”
involvement
end-state These goals, once achieved, do not require additional action. “I will finish writing this book.”

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 Proximity Specificity action-orientation purpose duration of involvement

short-term long-term clear Vague approach avoidance learning performance process end-state

Goal 1

Goal 2

Goal 3
Appendix C: Goal analysis form

Goal 4

Goal 5

Goal 6
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Goal 7

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 Dimension Type of goal Pro’s Con’s Advice

proximity short-term + allow for detailed planning ҄ less motivating than long-term Combine both short-term and long-
+ increase persistence goals term goals. Short-term goals will help
+ build self-confidence ҄ achievement can result in you stay on track and build confidence.
+ manageable the sense of premature self- The magnitude of long-term goals will
+ easy to monitor congratulation and encourage inspire you to keep striving for them.
relaxation rather than continued
effort

long-term + allow for flexibility in planning ҄ hard to monitor progress

Appendix D: Advice per type of goal

+ more motivating than short-term ҄ lack of “small success”

goals experiences

specificity clear + more commitment ҄ perceived as more difficult Although there are benefits attached
+ more consistent performance ҄ perceived as less attainable to vague goals, it is recommended
+ easy to accurately evaluate the to make goals as clear as possible,
performance as this makes monitoring progress,
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a key component of effective goal

vague + perceived as less difficult and ҄ less commitment accomplishment, easier.
more attainable ҄ greater variability in performance
+ less likely to generate feelings of ҄ difficult to accurately evaluate the
failure performance

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 Dimension Type of goal Pro’s Con’s Advice

action- approach + more motivating ҄ may feel unnatural to people who Some researchers suggest that action-
orientation + higher levels of performance are afraid of failure and rejection orientation is a personal matter:
+ desirable outcomes elicit Pursuing approach goals may be
excitement more feasible for approach-oriented
individuals, whereas pursuing
avoidance + desirable outcomes elicit ҄ negative outcomes avoidance goals may be more feasible
calmness and relief ҄ poor well-being for avoidance-oriented individuals.
҄ harder to monitor However, in general, pursuing more
҄ result in more negative thoughts approaches than avoidance goals
is associated with higher levels of
well-being. Moreover, the benefits of
approach goals seem to outweigh the
benefits of avoidance goals. Therefore,
it can be regarded as more helpful to
formulate approach goals.
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Appendix E: Goal evaluation

Goal number:

Brief description:

Could be improved by:

Goal number:

Brief description:

Could be improved by:

Goal number:

Brief description:

Could be improved by:

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Goal number:

Brief description:

Could be improved by:

Goal number:

Brief description:

Could be improved by:

Goal number:

Brief description:

Could be improved by:

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Appendix F: Examples of personal goals

Goal #1

Finishing my report about strategic collaboration at work

Goal #2

Learning to speak Spanish

Goal #3

Booking a vacation for next summer

Goal #4

Not getting negative feedback during my next presentation at work

Goal #5

Staying healthy

Goal #6

Getting a 10K USD bonus at the end of the year

Goal #7

Preventing my oldest son from to repeat the class

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 Proximity Specificity action-orientation purpose duration of involvement

short-term long-term clear vague approach avoidance learning performance process end-state

Goal 1 X X X X X

Goal 2 X X X X X

Goal 3 X X X X

Goal 4 X X X X X

Goal 5 X X X X X

Goal 6 X X X X X
Appendix G: Example of completed goal analysis form
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Goal 7 X X X X X

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