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In an article in the Graziado Business Report, motivation specialist Charles Kearns, PhD, discusses findings by psychologist Dr. Edwin where Locke found that employees were encouraged to improve performance with clear targets and proper feedback. Having targets keeps people focused and provides the assurance that everyone is working towards a common future.

Goals are also motivational, as working towards a goal could give everyone in an organization a feeling of purpose and help to energize them. According to Kearns, the best managers use targets that are based around a set of core values. To establish these values, leaders must determine what values are important.

Then they communicate these values clearly to the others involved in the business. They also must constantly ensure that their and the actions of the business are in line with their core values. Kearns says that the more leaders behave consistently with their targets and values, the more others can trust them. Psychologically, it is important to set targets that are neither too easy to attain, nor too tough. Specific and difficult goals lead to better worker performance than obscure or easy targets. Goals which are too easy are not inspiring, because it seems like more of an achievement to achieve something you have worked hard to get.

The aims can also be non-conflicting, measurable and capable of leading to independent actions. To be able to help employees focus, it is important that targets be specific and measurable, as well as attainable. It can also help if these aims are time bound, rather than open-ended. As an example, instead of getting "Launch 10 more sockets" as a goal, it is better to place the goal as, "To open one socket every six months for 5 decades." Writing down your targets and the steps necessary to attain them is important. It allows everyone involved to know precisely what is required to meet the target. Drawing up an action plan helps managers to think about exactly what will be asked to meet the target. An action plan will also allow you to keep tabs on what needs to happen and can assist in communication with your own employees. If employees know that the second step into the plan would be to send out a newsletter to customers, they can prepare to follow along with contacting customers to explore the newsletter.

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