January 06, 2016
Why even bother setting goals? Successful business leaders and achievers in all fields set goals in order to give themselves long-term and short-term motivation. If you have nothing you’re working towards, how will you ever become more successful than you already are? Is becoming more successful or perfecting a trait one of your goals?
How do you go about setting goals?
The first step in setting a New Year’s resolution or goal of any type is to take time to think about what you would like to accomplish and when you would like to complete it. Giving yourself a deadline will help motivate you and give you a better idea on what types of steps need to be made in order to reach your goals and keep up with your resolutions.
Setting smaller goals to lead up to the big goal may also need to be done, depending on how big the initial goal is. Some larger goals may require preparation or have multiple parts that need to be completed first; this is where breaking it down into steps and smaller goals can help keep you on track.
Additional suggestions on how to make successful goals are to state each goal as a positive statement, be precise, set priorities, write goals down, and set performance goals, rather than outcome goals.
What can make it easier to follow through and achieve your goals?
Be SMART! A useful way of making goals more powerful is to use the SMART mnemonic which stands for S – Specific or Significant, M– Measurable or Meaningful, A– Attainable or Action Oriented, R– Relevant or Rewarding, and T– Time Bound or Trackable. This tool encourages you to make very detailed resolutions with a specific time frame on when they need to be completed. This helps to put your goals in perspective so you know what preparation is needed and it helps to ensure these goals are completed by your desired time frame.
Writing down goals and preparing a plan on how you are going to reach your goals is another way to stay on track. When your goals are constantly in sight, it helps to remind you of what you are working towards and will motivate you to keep going. Another strategy to help you stick to your goals is to talk to someone else about them. Consider this person an “accountability partner” as they can be a friendly reminder of what you are working towards and help to encourage you to keep going which can be one of the biggest motivators.
What are some reasonable resolutions for 2016?
When thinking about your career, what would you like to change or improve? Where would you like to see yourself in the future? If you’re looking to become more successful and knowledgeable in your field, consider making your short term goal to learn more about the business. Other attainable short-term career goals might include bringing something new to the business, using current expertise to move into a leadership role, taking a class or getting a certification, or to connect and network with new people. Now that you have some ideas for career resolutions, it is time to get started on a plan to make it all happen!
What are your goals for 2016 and what do you find helpful in keeping you on track to achieve them?
Posted By: Renee MacLean