Let’s talk about GOALS!
With the new year right around the corner, it’s time to focus on what you want to achieve in 2022! Personal goals, professional goals, company/organization goals – ALL OF THE ABOVE!
Not sure how to start? Goal setting feels daunting? You’ve done this before and didn’t stick to them? Here are my tried and trusted 4 Steps for Successful Goal Setting AND Achievement!
Step 1 – Set a positive attitude!
Believe you’re going to achieve it! Envision the I DID IT moment! Let that vision drive you through the goal-setting process. Encourage others around you to also envision that ACHIEVEMENT moment! Motivation in the pursuit of whatever the BIG THING is a critical driver.
There will be plenty of times in the pursuit of your goals where things are HARD. Reset that positive attitude often! The better you can get at this habit, the easier overcoming those HARD times in the pursuit will become.
Step 2 – Challenge yourself!
To set meaningful goals, they can’t be easily achievable little step over without much effort hurdles! The need to be really big, really challenging, really tough to leap over high hurdles!
At Vault, we call these BHAG goals – Big Hairy Audacious Goals. Whatever you want to call them, they need to be challenging.
How do you know if you’ve achieved BHAG level? There should be a little feeling in the pit of your stomach telling you that you’re about to embark on something hard. That’s when you know you’ve nailed the level of challenge for a BHAG goal.
Step 3 – Make it S.M.A.R.T.
We all know this! If you use this approach properly it can be truly effective!
From my experience teaching goal setting, I’ve found that most people – particularly most business professionals – are very good with the SMT part of this approach. After all, who among us doesn’t love being specific, setting deadlines and measuring things? Don’t ignore the A&R!
How do you make a goal ATTAINABLE? What is the path that needs to be taken? Make sure to write the plan, create the path, and then walk it. As the plan, the path, are being created, build in appropriate time and resources to make the goal REALISTIC.
PS – if you forgot: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Time-Bound
Step 4 – Accountability
Develop a mechanism to be accountable first to yourself. Put it in your phone, your laptop, your fridge, your vanity mirror, wherever will work best for you! Revisit your goals and progress often and CELEBRATE your successes! If you stumble, reset that positive attitude and KEEP GOING!
Consider finding an accountability buddy. Someone from work, school, your friend group or family circle. Tell this person about your goal(s)! People who care about you will be invested in your goal pursuit as well! They will offer support, encouragement and in some cases advice!
Not sure who could be your accountability buddy?! Reach out to me! I’m happy to be involved in your process! It’s fantastic to watch as people set their goals and pursue them with passion!
Now that you’re armed with your 4 Steps…when should you begin?! Immediately! Let’s get those goals flushed out and your plans set before the end of January at latest! This will give you plenty of time on the calendar for your pursuit.
My absolute best of wishes to you and yours in the new year! Let’s make it the best one yet!!!
