It is that time of year when many of us reflect on the past and contemplate the future. We set our sights on goals and changes in our lives but sometimes lack the ability and game plan to accomplish those goals. As I sit here in my office reflecting on my past year and planning my next, I wanted to share a simple structure I like to use for setting and achieving goals, both professionally and personally, for the year to come.
Reflect on the Past
It seems logical enough, but do we really give reflection the time it needs to be impactful? For example, I want to lose 20 lbs. This has been a goal of mine for several years now. But, when I reflect on the past year, I usually focus on not losing 20 lbs. What I should do is focus on the key moments in that year when I successfully lost weight and what the hurdles or pitfalls were when I gained that weight back. Thinking through these scenarios and identifying these inflection points will help you prepare for the inevitability of similar circumstances and how to change the outcome.
Define your Goals
Take the time to clearly define your goals for the coming year. What do you want to achieve professionally and personally throughout the year? These goals should be SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound). Your goals must be clear, or the ambiguity will set you up for failure.
Set Priorities
You cannot do everything! Let me repeat that: You cannot do everything! Prioritize your goals on what will have the most significant impact, but also consider the feasibility of the goal. For example, how great would I feel if I competed in an Ironman competition? I would blow past that 25 lbs. in no time during training. However, multiple other goals and everyday commitments make this goal less workable for me. Make sure you weigh the feasibility of each one of your goals.
Break Down Goals into Manageable Steps
If you have done any professional business planning, you most likely have heard of a wildly important goal (WIG) or a big, hairy, audacious goal (BHAG). I love these terms and find as many instances as possible to say BHAG. However, you are doomed to fail if you don’t break them down into smaller, more manageable steps. I have a retirement number (one of my most essential BHAGs) at the very top of my corkboard in my office. I see it every day. The only way I can hope to achieve that goal is by setting smaller goals every quarter and year to accomplish the larger goal.
Establish a Timeline
If there is no timeline, there is no goal. Assign a realistic timeline to each of your goals and their underlying steps. This is where many people get off track. Sometimes, we set the timelines too short and then abandon the goal because it is too difficult. Other times, we set the timeline too long and lose sight of the goal. When it comes to deadlines, keep them structured to provide a sense of urgency and accountability but allow flexibility for unexpected challenges.
Review and Adjust
Review your goals on a consistent basis to assess progress. Life happens, and priorities can change in an instant. Adapt to challenges and opportunities by adjusting your goals as needed.
Seek Support to Drive Accountability
Share your goals with your colleagues, family, and friends so they can support you throughout your year. Telling people about your goals and the steps you are taking to achieve them provides another set of eyes to help you be accountable. Shortcuts, incomplete work, or times of weakness can be tempered when you have a support system aware of your goals and expectations.
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French writer and aviator Antoine de Saint-Exupéry once said, “A goal without a plan is just a wish.” That said, if you are one of those rare people who can manifest their goals, that is amazing. For the rest of us, these seven steps will help me achieve my goals, and I hope they will help you achieve yours, too. Here’s to accomplishing everything you desire in 2024!
