What is realistic goal setting? How can we tell if our goals are realistic? The point of a goal is to create motivation. A good goal that is both realistic and challenging achieves this.
An unrealistic goal sadly does not create motivation. Like a vague dream, it may be nice to think about but it doesn't stir our inner resources towards changing reality.
There are two aspects to realistic goal setting:
Making our goal measurable means quantifying it so:
To take a simple example: running a lot can't be measured, whereas running 3 times a week, 5 km each time, can be measured very accurately.
The purpose of me setting a goal is to cause us to move. If a goal doesn't lead to action perhaps it isn't attainable, or is too easily attainable.
If we set a goal that is way too difficult we tend to not even bother starting because what's the point, we're never going to get there anyway.
Or perhaps we start powerfully then realise it's unsustainable and give up feeling like we have failed. On the flip side if the goal is too easy we may think, no rush, I'll do it later. Both are not ideal.
Having an attainable but challenging goal really is the ideal. It is completely dependant on the person. Challenging for one person might be to eat a piece of fruit every day whereas that could very easy for some.