ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Goal theory

Goal theory is all about setting goals and working hard towards achieving them. Just like when you want to build a tower with your Legos, you have to first think about what you want to build and then plan how you will put the pieces together to create that tower.

Similarly, in goal theory, you have to think about what you want to achieve in your life, such as getting good grades in school or learning a new skill, and then create a plan to make it happen. This plan includes setting smaller goals that will help you reach your bigger goal and figuring out what steps you need to take to achieve each of those smaller goals.

So, it's like playing a game with levels. You have to complete the easier levels first before you move on to the harder levels. For example, if you want to get an A in math class, you first have to study for your math test, then do your homework regularly, then participate in class, and so on. Each of these steps is a smaller goal that will help you get closer to your bigger goal.

Goal theory also tells us that having a clear understanding of what we want to achieve, and why we want to achieve it, keeps us motivated to work hard towards our goals. It's like a prize at the end of the game. You want to win the game, so you keep playing and working hard to reach the prize.

So, to summarize, goal theory is about setting goals and working hard to achieve them by creating a plan with smaller goals that lead to a bigger goal. It is important to have a clear understanding of why we want to achieve our goals to stay motivated.