As an executive coach I get to work with leaders in setting and reaching their individual and professional goals. I am lucky to get to be the person to help them design and have the career and life they love, and effective goal setting is the foundation for our work.
Here are the 4 keys that I have found most helpful for myself and my clients.
#1 – Utilize the S.M.A.R.T goal setting method
Specific – Goals should be specific and allow you to stretch and the description should be simple enough to quickly inspire you on a daily basis.
Measurable – You will want to be able to measure your success once you reach the goal as well as every step of the way.
Attainable – While you want to set “stretch goals”, you need to make sure you are able to reach your goal.
Relevant – Goals must relevant, closely connected to the experience you want for your career and personal life NOW.
Time Bound – Goals are short term (2 weeks, 6 months, 1 year). Anything longer than that and you may want to consider creating a strategic plan or vision which requires a different approach.
#2 – Get an Accountability Partner or three
Every person I have ever known benefits from being held accountable – EVERY PERSON! Accountability partners can be a peer that you check in with, a supervisor who meets with you on your goals frequently, or a coach who meets with you weekly. The point is having others that will help you stay focused and on track.
In the workshops I facilitate, I ask participants to have three types of accountability partners:
- The objective partner – Someone who will look at the facts and just the facts of if you took action and kept your word. No judgment, just pointing out the facts. This person may not know you as well as others and will will not be invested, emotionally or otherwise, in your results.
- The cheerleader – This is someone who will celebrate the wins in a BIG way. They “woo hoo”, send cards, do a victory dance and/or anything else that helps you feel confident in your awesomeness.
- The collaborative partner – This person is the one who helps you, not only keep focused on the goal, but also the life that you are creating with the goal. They help you see the forest for the trees, strategize course correction when needed, and support you in working through the lessons and challenges more effectively.
# 3 – Create an action plan. Taking action is what actually gets you to your goal.
Most people will have an action plan (do step A, then step B, and then step C). That is pretty straight forward. Many people also have have a general contingency plan that takes into account foreseeable circumstances – if vendor A backs out, we go to vendor B. But very few people have what I call the “when life happens” plan. You know, the when you get sick, or when your computer breaks, or when you get to attend your kid’s 4-hr event because they won an award plan. Create your action plan to have focus time as well as breathing room.
#4 – BE the person who accomplishes great things!
This is self explanatory and in my opinion is THE single most important key to getting to the finish line of your goals. Show up as your best self every day!
In next month’s blog I dig a little deeper on how to show up and be who you need to so you can achieve great things!