This came up in a recent Business Development Programme and has interested me since. Goal setting is very personal and in a 1-2-1 coaching session I think the coach is able to get a feel for how challenging a goal should be, or at least develop an awareness of where the tipping point is from motivating to de-motivating.

Our group had a great debate whether a goal should be challenging yet still feel within your grasp, so as to enjoy the success of achieving it, or whether it should it be stretching to the point of almost seeming impossible.

I personally think both types of goal have their place, its more about knowing what you need at that time in order to move forward. For me personally, I like the overarching goal to feel a little out of reach and the smaller sub goals to be manageable enough to be achieved, leaving me feeling motivated to take the next step.