Game plan for success: Role of goal setting in career growth

Women’s college basketball fans recently watched Paige Bueckers lead UConn to a national championship. The path to the trophy wasn’t easy — she overcame multiple injuries and other setbacks throughout her college playing career. But Bueckers’ commitment and achievement of her goal to lead UConn back to the top of women’s college basketball was inspirational and shows the power and importance of setting and pursuing clear, actionable objectives. 

I have found that goal setting in work and my personal life has always been highly beneficial.  In fact, at the start of every new year, I take time to outline my personal and professional goals – sharing my personal goals with my family and my professional goals with my Walmart team. 

Goal setting provides an important framework to work toward. I often say it is like planning to go on a trip or a special event – without the framework of what success will look like for the trip or the event you cannot get there or make it happen. 

Sharing goals provides the framework for coaching, feedback and growth. Whether you're an athlete aiming for a championship or a professional striving for career growth, setting clear, actionable goals is a game plan for success.

Here are four reasons why goal setting is essential:

➡ Provides a clear sense of direction. It helps you understand what you want to achieve and outlines the steps needed to get there. Not only does this keep you focused, it also motivates you to stay on track. In an often-cited study about goal setting, Dr. Gail Matthews, a psychology professor at Dominican University, found individuals who write down their goals are 42% more likely to achieve them.

➡ Guides professional growth. Setting and reflecting on what you want to achieve empowers you to develop the skills needed to reach it. It encourages continuous learning and adaptability, which are essential in today’s environment. As you strive to meet your goals, you often find ways to enhance your overall performance.

➡ Serves as a benchmark. We believe in the importance of ongoing performance discussions at Walmart. Setting goals enables you to track your progress and adjust, when necessary, along the way. By setting clear objectives, and revisiting them regularly, you can evaluate your progress, identify areas for improvement, and celebrate successes along the way.

➡ Turns ideas into reality.  Just like Bueckers and the UConn women’s basketball team visualized winning the championship, envisioning your achievements can fuel your drive to succeed. Setting goals empowers you to turn your dreams into an actionable plan, providing needed motivation and aligning your efforts with support and resources.

While goal setting is dependent on the individual, it’s a “team sport.”

Managers and leaders play a crucial role, helping employees identify what they want to accomplish and providing the necessary support to achieve it. We set the expectations of our leaders at Walmart to have ongoing performance discussions and revisit goals throughout the year. By establishing a supportive environment, leaders empower employees to take ownership of their career development and ensure alignment with organizational objectives. This collaborative approach enhances individual growth but also drives collective success.

Whether it's goal-setting season in your organization or a personal initiative, take the time to reflect on your aspirations and define your objectives. Goal setting is a powerful tool that lays the groundwork for your career and your life. By setting clear goals, you gain clarity, motivation, and a framework for measuring performance and growth.

In a world that can be uncertain, setting goals gives us control. It’s best to set your goals and work toward them to succeed.