You Need to Set Goals. Really.
The holidays are nearly here! A time to celebrate, spend time with friends and family, and step back from the hustle and pace that defines the rest of the year.
But it’s not all good news. Because the end of the year also means it’s time to… brace yourself… set goals!
I know. For many people, the mere mention of goals leads to audible groans and frowny faces.
The fact is, most people resist the process of goal setting or creating leadership development plans. I get it — it doesn’t sound like fun. But it need not be painful or arduous. Not only that, research has shown that those who set goals for the new year are as much as TEN TIMES more likely to achieve positive change as those who do not.
Not setting goals — clarifying your intentions for progress and achievement — is a gigantic missed opportunity.
Why Do Goals Matter?
Three reasons…
Motivation. Progress towards a goal is inspiring. It gives us fuel; it keeps us in the game. For most people, progress is even more motivating than reaching the goal itself. But if you don’t have goals, let alone track your progress towards them, you are just wandering through your days.
Focus. As a leader, you’ve got more things to do than you can ever get done. Goals act as a beacon — a fixed point in the distance that helps us stay on track and ignore distractions. Not only will goals help you perform better at your job, but as a result, you will also increase your life satisfaction and well-being.
Control. Goals put you in the driver’s seat of your own life. While it is inevitable that you will have to work on goals others set for you, you also get to identify and map out the things you passionately want to achieve.
Here’s What To Do…
Reflect.
Significant progress begins with self-awareness. So find some quiet time over the holidays and take stock of what you accomplished this year and how you were able to do it. What are your top strengths? Where did you get the biggest bang for your buck? What patterns of behavior served you well (or didn’t)?
Simplify.
A novel-length development plan will never be used; it’s a recipe for procrastination (detail-loving Enneagram Type Ones, I’m looking at you!). Instead, focus on one or two things (max) that could have the biggest positive impact on your performance or well-being. Once those are done, find two more.
Visualize.
Close your eyes and think: What will be different in your life or organization when the goal is achieved? How will you feel? What will you have? How will you or others benefit? The more specific you can be (it helps to write all this down), the more motivation you will feel to get and keep moving.
Measure.
In my Writers Coaching Group, I am required to submit daily totals for how long I write, how many words I write, and what supporting tasks I complete. If I miss a day, it feels bad! This type of simple tracking is incredibly powerful for helping me stay committed. (Some helpful habit-tracking apps here.)
Chunk It.
You can’t go from sitting on the couch to running a marathon the next day. Goals that big are overwhelming and one of the primary reasons people never get started. Instead, map out the individual steps required. Once you know them, you can simply ask yourself: “What is the next thing I need to do to move forward?”
Schedule It.
Important things go on our calendars. There will always be distractions to thwart our efforts (hello email), but if you’ve blocked time on your calendar, there is a much better chance you will do what needs doing and make progress.
Go Public.
The more people who know about your goal, the harder it is to walk away from it — don’t keep it to yourself. You may also benefit from identifying a colleague, manager, coach, or friend who can check in and offer support along the way. If you can engage those who would benefit from a successful outcome of your goal, you can bring others along on your journey!
Our Goals Are Our Life
Goals have an undeservedly bad reputation. We malign them, we ignore them, we cringe at the thought of them.
But you know what? There’s a reason football, basketball, soccer, hockey, and countless other sports place literal goals at either end of the field, court, or ice. It gives the players — and the fans — something to focus on, something to strive for, something to track, and something to celebrate when one of them is reached.
Take away the goals, and all you’re left with are a bunch of tired, out-of-breath people running hard in every direction.