When you want to achieve something—in your personal or professional life—are you likely to set a goal to motivate and guide you? Or are you less of a planner, meaning that you tend to wing it and hope for the best? Goal setters focus on creating plans to help them get where they want to be in life, often with great success.

What makes someone more likely to set a goal? Your DNA plays some part in whether you tend to set goals. AncestryDNA^® + Traits can help you discover how your goal-setting behavior and genetics relate.

What Is Goal Setting?

Goal setting is the process of planning a desired outcome and following the necessary steps to achieve it. For example, if you want to run a marathon, you might plan a four- to five-month conditioning schedule so you're capable of running the distance on the big day. Likewise, if you want to share a report on your family history research findings at the next reunion, it can help to plan for it in advance. In both scenarios, having a longer term goal can also include setting benchmarks along the way to mark your progress—to make sure you’re on track toward achieving your goal.

The benefits of setting goals include:

• Improved performance
• Better organization through a thorough plan
• Greater motivation
• A sense of accomplishment
• Stronger self-confidence
• A higher likelihood of succeeding

Personal goals, such as learning to speak a new language or achieving a new athletic accomplishment, can be important drivers in your self-actualization—feeling like you’re achieving your potential. In the workplace, they may help a team align their vision and keep everyone accountable for their jobs. Setting goals with friends or family members can create a bond while providing an added boost of accountability.

Goal setters tend to possess related personality traits like persistence, determination, and strong leadership.

The Genetic Influence on Goal Setting

To learn more about the genetic influences on setting goals, Ancestry^® scientists asked the question, "How would you rate your natural ability to set goals for yourself?" By comparing the self-reported answers and genetic markers of over 264,000 people, the AncestryDNA team discovered over 550 DNA markers connected to being a goal setter.

With that data, the team calculated a polygenic risk score to provide direct insights into whether your DNA makes you more or less likely to set goals. But, they also found that genes play only a small part in how likely someone is to be a goal setter. Environmental factors and learned behaviors appear to have the greatest influence on goal-setting ability.

What Else Do Scientists Say About Setting Goals?

Studies show goal-setting is particularly prevalent among the younger adults. In particular, a 2023 Gallup Panel, which surveyed 1,803 adults in the United States, found people in the age range of 18 to 34 years old were the most likely to set goals. Over 75% of participants in that age range said they were likely to set a goal in the new year. The poll also found that those who reported higher incomes were more likely to set goals within the next year. College graduates also reported that they were more likely to commit to goals.

Regardless of what goal you set, a method called SMART goal setting can help you achieve it. SMART stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. For example, if you say your goal is to get in shape, you don't have much to work with. What do you consider in shape, and how long will it take you? Learning to set small goals with the SMART framework helps organize your goal so it's easier to follow and track, using a strategy and time limit. Instead of getting in shape, you might instead say, "I plan to work out for 20 minutes every weekday for 6 weeks." Learning to set big goals using incremental steps helps make them more manageable.

Interesting Insights About Setting Goals

Many nations around the world practice setting New Year's resolutions—goals people wish to achieve in the coming year. However, the most popular resolutions appear to vary a little depending on the country.

• In the United States, nearly half of people make a fitness-related New Year's resolution, while nearly 40% cite improving their finances as a major focus.
• The most common New Year's resolution goal in Australia is also to improve physical health, followed closely by improving mental health and finances.
• In a 2019 poll, South Korean participants answered that their most common goal was to find a new job, followed by earning more money.
• A 2024 German survey found that popular resolutions involved saving more money and spending more time with family and friends.

The reality, however, is that many people fail to complete their resolutions. Why? People tend to set broad goals that feel too large to be achievable. Whether you’re generally more or less likely to set goals, understanding the importance of setting small goals and utilizing a method like SMART planning can help.

Wondering what your genes say about different traits? An AncestryDNA + Traits test can provide insight into whether you have genetic markers associated with dozens of performance, sensory, and personality traits. If you've already taken a test, your results are ready to review with an Ancestry^® membership.

References

“Goal-Setting.” Eastern Washington University. Accessed May 22, 2024. https://inside.ewu.edu/calelearning/psychological-skills/goal-setting/.

“How to Measure Organizational Performance: The Secret to Effective Goal Setting.” University of Massachusetts Global. Accessed May 22, 2024. https://www.umassglobal.edu/news-and-events/blog/how-to-measure-organizational-performance.

Lloyd, Maddie. “2024 New Year’s Resolutions: Nearly Half Cite Fitness As Their Top Priority.” Forbes. January 12, 2024. https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/new-year-resolutions-survey-2024/.

Logan, Olivia. “What are Germany’s New Year’s resolutions for 2024?” IamExpat. January 7, 2024. https://www.iamexpat.de/lifestyle/lifestyle-news/what-are-germanys-new-years-resolutions-2024.

Lu, Yijuan, et al. “Effects of a SMART Goal Setting and 12-Week Core Strength Training Intervention on Physical Fitness and Exercise Attitudes in Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. June 23, 2022. doi:10.3390/ijerph19137715.

Patterson, Nicholas. What Are SMART Goals: Examples for Students and Work. Southern New Hampshire University. January 17, 2023. https://www.snhu.edu/about-us/newsroom/education/what-are-smart-goals.

Saad, Lydia. “Seven in 10 Americans Likely to Set Goals for 2023.” Gallup. January 5, 2023. https://news.gallup.com/poll/467696/seven-americans-likely-set-goals-2023.aspx.

So, Won. “New Year's Resolution of South Koreans for 2019.” Statista. January 23, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/955813/south-korea-new-years-resolution/.

Tan, Samuel. What are Australians’ top New Year Resolutions for 2024? YouGov. January 12, 2024. https://au.yougov.com/consumer/articles/48335-what-are-australians-top-new-year-resolutions-for-2024.

Vinney, Cynthia. “The Psychology Behind Why New Year’s Resolutions Fail.” Verywell Mind. January 1, 2024. https://www.verywellmind.com/why-new-years-resolutions-fail-6823972.

Weidinger, Steven. “What Are You Working Toward? The Importance of Goal Setting.” The Washington Post. July 13, 2021. https://jobs.washingtonpost.com/article/what-are-you-working-toward-the-importance-of-goal-setting/.