ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses research evidence related to goals and provides a conceptual framework to help understand and apply the stages of goal setting. The framework is a three-tier hierarchical structure of BE goals, i.e., “Who/what do you want to be?;” DO goals/goal setting, i.e., “What do you think you could do to get there?;” and ACT goals/action planning, i.e., “What specific behaviors will help get this done?.” Specific practical techniques to use in health behavior coaching sessions are described for each of the three levels. An overriding theme is that goal setting is not a one-and-done process. Rather it is fluid, sometimes circuitous, and involves ongoing attention, feedback, and probably modification. This chapter concludes with a theoretical case study that illustrates how the strategies can be used in coaching sessions. Additional resources and measurement tools are also recommended.
