July 6, 2010 
And not only for England.
This post by Isabella Mori highlights a 2006 study that identified a large number of issues identified with goal setting. It seems that, like Goldilock’s porridge it has to be just right. Overly ambitious goals (or “stretch” in polite parlance) carry real risks, from disengagement, to team conflict, to stress.
On the other hand, goal attainment can lead to over confidence and the setting of increasingly unattainable goals. The ideal number appears to be between 3 and 7 goals – more than this carries risk of overload and dilution of effort.
How do you set yours?
thanks for referring to the post i wrote for brainblogger! love how you linked this to the goldilocks story. you nailed it.