The foundation of your success lies in effective goal setting and follow-through.
I always say that goals without action are simply ideas.
Whether in your career, personal development, or any ambitious pursuit you take on, getting clear on what you want, why you want it and how to action it is instrumental.
This seemingly simple task is often what distinguishes action takers from dreamers.
Setting goals is both an art and a science, one that requires thoughtfulness, precision, and a deep understanding of your own capabilities, aspirations and values. Every new level of professional growth is going to feel uncomfortable, but it is a good sign that you are moving in the right direction.
The biggest risk you can take in goal-setting is not pushing yourself to truly be your best. Remaining in your comfort zone or staying too close to where you are right now will never allow you to become the person your dreams require.
And if your goals scare you, good. It means you are truly challenging yourself and getting closer to unlocking your fullest potential.
"If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy and inspires your hopes.β β Andrew Carnegie
With just 4 months left on the year, this is a perfect moment to course correct where needed, especially if things have not been panning out the way you hoped they would.
Peak performers recognize that their goals must be paired with measurable and clear action steps that allow for progress and forward movement. Do this, and you will always come out further along than you were yesterday.
Here's how.
Key mistakes when setting goals
While goal-setting is undeniably a powerful tool in achieving peak performance and personal growth, there are common downfalls that can lead to continued disappointment.
With that in mind, here are 5 mistakes to avoid when goal-setting:
β Vague goals: When you set unclear or non-specific goals, this will lead to a lack of direction and motivation. For one, they are not measurable nor are they tied to specific outcomes. As well, they run the risk of you going in circles and focusing your precious time and energy on the wrong things. This is time you never get back which almost always leads to resentment and regret.
β Overambitious goals: Overshooting your goals can equally lead to a lack of motivation and increased disappointment because the goals you have set are unrealistic. It also minimizes the chances of you completing this goal which can negatively impact future goal-setting efforts. This makes you feel like your goals are unattainable or that you are not capable, when in reality, you simply did not set yourself up for success in delivering on your goal.
β Lack of a plan: Having goals is one thing. Actioning them effectively is another. Without a step-by-step plan with clear milestones, timelines and measurable progress, you will likely get off track or lose sight of the outcome you are working towards. You will also detract from what you need to prioritize to reach your goals faster, keeping you stuck or stagnant.
β Playing small: The goals you choose to set are too close to home. They represent incremental improvements vs. exponential gains. If your goals do not scare you when you write them down, you are not pushing yourself enough. This will then create future limitations because you are choosing to play it safe instead of playing to win.
β Failing to track progress: Monitoring your progress towards your goals is essential in maintaining consistency, motivation and self-discipline. Without this, you can get easily derailed, side-tracked and distracted from your core goals that lead you down non-productive paths or performing non-value added work that does not tangibly contribute to your development.
3 strategies to set effective goals
1/ Reverse engineer your goals
Instead of starting with where you are at right now, reflect on where you want to be 3 months from now, 6 months from now, 1 year from now, etc.
This pattern of thinking encourages aspiration, possibility and abundance.
You are not limiting your mind with what you know today. You are instead filling it with what you want for yourself tomorrow.
Ask yourself questions like:
β What top new skills do I want to have gained when looking back on the past [X timeframe]?
β How do I want to feel at the end of [X timeframe]?
β What new experiences do I want more exposure to by the end of [X timeframe]?
β What would I have liked to say I accomplished in reflecting back on the past [X timeframe]?
β What changes do I want to say I achieved in looking back on [X timeframe]?
β What do I want more of? What do I want less of? What support am I missing?
This line of self-questioning allows you to not only get clearer on where you are headed, but also work backwards to ensure that what you do today, in the coming weeks, and in the next months facilitates achieving that goal faster.
Essentially, you are removing blind spots from tunnel vision and short-term thinking only and are now expanding your mindset and vision to foster the true outcomes you really want.
- For example, if in 6 months from now, you want to have moved into a people manager role in your current organization, then the action steps required now may suggest you mentoring new team members, asking for an intern you can manage, stepping up in cross-department collaboration to show how you manage complexity and different viewpoints easily, etc.
Reverse engineering your goals allows you to become more intentional, proactive and strategic in how you set your goals and follow-through on them faster.
Think bigger. Be courageous. And stop limiting your own potential. Your future self will thank you for it.
[Check out my free LinkedIn Learning on Nano Tips to Fast Track Your Career]
2/ Take intentional action
Setting goals is only the first step as the true magic lies in the action that follows.
The gap between setting a goal and achieving it is bridged by consistent, purposeful action. This phase is where your aspirations begin to materialize, transforming from abstract ideas into tangible results.
The importance of taking action cannot be overstated.
Whether you tend to overthink, get in your head or worry about making the wrong decision, this is crippling your ability to move forward and we cannot have that hold you back.
To ensure your goals do not linger due to wishful thinking or procrastination, here are 5 actionable steps to integrate into your goal-achieving strategy:
β Break down your goals more digestibly: Take your larger goals and split them into smaller, actionable steps that can integrate into your days and weeks easily. This makes the process less overwhelming and provides a clear roadmap for daily action. It will also help you achieve micro-wins along the way and boosts your confidence towards reaching your ultimate goal.
β Set daily priorities: Each day, identify the most critical tasks that will bring you closer to your goal. Prioritizing these tasks ensures that your actions are focused and effective. My golden rule is to pick 3 priorities per day. This is achievable and ensures you stay focused on tasks you can realistically get done. You will feel more accomplished by the end of the day and more energized to keep going.
β Create a consistent routine that works for you: Do not overshoot but rather, structure a routine that you know you will show up and deliver on. For example, if one of your goals is to take better care of your health and exercise regularly, do not start off with a goal of doing 1 hour of exercise everyday. You will likely flop. Instead, start small and build. You can decide to do 20 minutes of exercise 4 days a week. Once you get consistent with this, then you can add more and adjust. Consistency is key in building momentum.
β Track your progress: Regularly monitor your achievements and setbacks as this helps in maintaining your motivation and provides insights for necessary adjustments to your action plan. Never see an obstacle as an end-all to your goals. Instead, use that as an opportunity to adjust the timeline on your goal, action steps tied to your goal or review the prioritization of this goal.
β Audit your feedback: Do not let other people's limitations spill onto you when it comes to your goals. Whether family, friends, colleagues or bosses, you may receive feedback that discourages you from taking action on a certain goal. Perhaps you are told "that is not possible", "that is really unlikely" or "I do not think that is something you can do". Prove them wrong. You must seek out guidance from those who have achieved what you want for a more realistic perspective, even if this next step feels uncomfortable for you. Only then will you have the full picture of what you are up against and build the needed resilience and perseverance to follow-through despite the doubters.
[Check out my newsletter on How to get out of your comfort zone].
3/ Re-assess your goals regularly
Being agile in your goal-setting is a critical part of the process.
Although you may set the foundation of your goals at one point in time, re-assessing them serves as a reality check that allows you to pivot and adapt in response to new information, challenges, and opportunities that arise.
For example, when I was supporting my client Aketa this year, she initially felt lost in how to make the transition away from her toxic workplace into a new job (her target goal). The steps she had taken on her own were keeping her stuck and stressed. Together, we re-assessed her strategy and identified that her biggest opportunity was implementing a more effective networking plan that would allow her to get in front of key decision makers for her new external role. In doing so, not only did she land her job offer in a few short weeks of this change, she considers this move one of the best decisions of her life.
Remember, this practice is not about questioning your ambition or commitment. Rather, it is a strategic reflection to ensure that your goals remain relevant, realistic, and aligned with changing circumstances.
To effectively re-assess and adapt your goals, consider these 4 action steps:
β Set regular review intervals: Schedule periodic reviews of your goals. This could be monthly, quarterly, or at any interval that suits your timeline, ensuring consistent reflection and adjustment. This can be done as a self-evaluation as well as with others who can shed a complimentary perspective on your progress (i.e. your boss, mentors, family members).
β Evaluate progress and obstacles: During each review, evaluate the progress you have made and identify any obstacles you have encountered. This helps in understanding what is working and what is not and opens up room to improve. Be as objective with yourself as possible and play devil's advocate on whether you have truly explored all options you can pursue.
β Adjust your goals as needed: Be prepared to modify your goals based on your evaluations and feedback. This may involve changing timelines, scaling ambitions, or even setting new goals altogether. Be kind to yourself and welcoming of such changes so that you remain connected to your goals without allowing a negative mindset to take over regarding your capabilities.
β Update your action plan: Following any adjustments to your goals, revise your action plan accordingly. This ensures that your daily efforts are always in sync with your updated objectives and will keep you on track. If the outcomes of your goals involve other people, you may also need to inform them of these updates so you manage expectations properly.
How will you refine your goals for the rest of the year?
Goal-setting is much more than a mere checklist. It must remain an ongoing process that demands clarity, commitment, and stamina. Setting the right goals, taking action, and being willing to reassess and adapt are key components to leverage in setting you up for the most success.
You've got this!
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This week's mission is aimed at helping you be more effective in your goal-setting process. With the year-end fast approaching, the below reflections are designed for you to take a step back and move towards targeted action that will help you reach your goals faster.
1/ Reflect and revise your existing goals:
- Review the goals you had set this year. Did you achieve them yet? If yes, write down which action steps helped you deliver on that. If not, write down what stood in your way (be honest with yourself).
- Identify best practices you can re-apply for future goals in a way that keeps you motivated and self-disciplined in the goal-setting process.
2/ Outline your upcoming goals:
- Reverse engineer your goals for the coming weeks and months based on the guiding questions shared in today's newsletter.
- Pair this with your respective action plans for each and make them as digestible and measurable as possible. Schedule in moments for re-assessment into your calendar to ensure you stay on track or re-evaluate where necessary.
- Keep your goals somewhere visible so they remain top-of-mind for you.
3/ Seek feedback:
- For the goals that involve other people, meet with them to share your plan and get their alignment so you have full support and minimal resistance.
- Take into account any new considerations they may share to factor in all perspectives that will benefit you in achieving your goals sooner than later.
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