Goal Setting Side Effects (Goals Gone Wild)
Overprescribed goals can narrow your focus, increase risk-taking, and erode intrinsic motivation.
Goal Setting Side Effects (Goals Gone Wild)
Overprescribed goals can narrow your focus, increase risk-taking, and erode intrinsic motivation.
The Principle
Goal setting is powerful medicine — but like any medicine, the dose matters. When goals are too narrow, too aggressive, or too rigidly enforced, they can cause tunnel vision, encourage cutting corners, and make work feel like an obligation rather than a choice.
Goal setting is powerful medicine — but like any medicine, the dose matters. When goals are too narrow, too aggressive, or too rigidly enforced, they can cause tunnel vision, encourage cutting corners, and make work feel like an obligation rather than a choice.
Key Statistic
Over-prescribed goals create narrow focus, unethical behavior, and corrosion of culture [40]
What The Research Shows
Ordóñez et al. (2009) published a critical review arguing that goal setting should be treated like 'prescription-strength medication' due to systematic side effects: narrowed focus, unethical behavior, distorted risk preferences, and reduced intrinsic motivation [40]. Welsh & Ordóñez (2014) showed consecutive high-performance goals deplete self-control and increase unethical behavior [41]. Locke & Latham (2019) acknowledge these risks but argue they are manageable with proper implementation [7]. The risks are most pronounced with purely quantitative, externally imposed goals.
Ordóñez et al. (2009) published a critical review arguing that goal setting should be treated like 'prescription-strength medication' due to systematic side effects: narrowed focus, unethical behavior, distorted risk preferences, and reduced intrinsic motivation [40]. Welsh & Ordóñez (2014) showed consecutive high-performance goals deplete self-control and increase unethical behavior [41]. Locke & Latham (2019) acknowledge these risks but argue they are manageable with proper implementation [7]. The risks are most pronounced with purely quantitative, externally imposed goals.
Common Myths
Myth: 'Setting challenging goals always improves performance.' Reality: Challenging goals help — to a point. Beyond that, they narrow focus so much that people miss important information, cut ethical corners, and lose intrinsic motivation [40].
Myth: 'Setting challenging goals always improves performance.' Reality: Challenging goals help — to a point. Beyond that, they narrow focus so much that people miss important information, cut ethical corners, and lose intrinsic motivation [40].
Myth: 'Setting challenging goals always improves performance.' Reality: Challenging goals help — to a point. Beyond that, they narrow focus so much that people miss important information, cut ethical corners, and lose intrinsic motivation [40].
How Aftertone Applies This
Aftertone includes 'Unplanned Wins' tracking — a space to record accomplishments that weren't on today's plan. The app avoids aggressive goal language and builds flexibility for emergent priorities. Weekly reviews celebrate both planned and unplanned accomplishments.
Further Reading
Ordóñez, L. D., et al. (2009). Goals gone wild: The systematic side effects of overprescribing goal setting. Academy of Management Perspectives, 23(1), 6–16. DOI: 10.5465/AMP.2009.37007999
Ordóñez, L. D., et al. (2009). Goals gone wild: The systematic side effects of overprescribing goal setting. Academy of Management Perspectives, 23(1), 6–16. DOI: 10.5465/AMP.2009.37007999
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Helped over 250+ elite performers
Your best work is waiting.
Try Aftertone free. See what you're capable of when nothing gets in your way.