Why do some employees do better than others? According to goal-setting theory, one reason is that they have better, clearer goals. These goals guide their behavior towards better workplace output.

Setting and achieving goals helps kids (and grown-ups) build self-esteem — and teaches perseverance, too. When children set goals, it helps them practice executive function skills like planning.

Every January, millions of people set out with the best intentions to change. They’ll go to the gym this year, eat healthier, save money, learn a new skill — the list goes on. But most people — about ...

Setting goals and managing time are fundamental pillars of personal and professional success. As a matter of fact, these two concepts are interconnected, not separate. Together, they form a powerful ...

You're in a team meeting where the quarterly targets are presented by your manager. Even though you and your team didn't hit targets the previous quarter, it seems that the targets for this quarter ...

The new year is when we set personal resolutions and goals—read more, finally begin meditating. But at work, we usually leave prioritization and goal-setting to our leaders. We rely on leadership and ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Mark Murphy covers leadership, hiring and employee engagement. SMART goals aren’t making your employees better—they’re making them ...

When Caroline Adams Miller learned about the science of goal setting, her professional and personal life changed forever. It was 2005, and Adams Miller was a student at the University of Pennsylvania ...

We love to talk about goals in the new year and I think it’s a great time for reflection. I like the ritual of looking at my goals for the year and then having a monthly check-in to review the things ...

What factors influence our success in reaching goals? Does setting a more ambitious goal generate self-confidence? Or does your confidence help determine your goal? Chicago Booth’s Avner ...

If you want to have a great year, you’ll boost your likelihood of success by setting goals. And using goal setting theory, specifically, is the best way to ensure you achieve all that you aspire to.