Why is it important for goals to be perceived as achievable?

The importance of goals being perceived as achievable primarily relates to the enhancement of effort. When individuals believe that they can realistically reach a goal, they are more likely to invest the necessary energy and commitment toward achieving it. This perception fosters a sense of motivation and determination, leading people to put forth greater effort in their tasks.

For example, if a sales team sets a target that is considered attainable based on past performance and market conditions, team members are more likely to be motivated to work hard to meet that goal. Conversely, if goals are seen as impossible to achieve, individuals may feel discouraged and reduce their efforts, believing that their hard work will not lead to success.

While engagement and accountability are also crucial aspects of goal setting, they do not inherently drive the effort as directly as the belief in achievability does. When people are engaged, they may be motivated, but achieving that engagement often hinges on their perception of the goals as attainable. Similarly, accountability can foster responsibility, but without the belief in the possibility of success, the motivation to rise to that accountability diminishes. Dictating results speaks more to outcomes than to the initial drive and effort influenced by perceived achievability. Thus, emphasizing the perception of achievement directly enhances motivational effort among individuals towards