HAPPY NEW YEAR!
2016 is upon us and it is a time of revelry, celebration, departing the old year and preparing for the new one. Of course, it is a time for new Goals for your profession, career, and personal aspects of your life. However, how can you "build" a decent set of Goals that not only "work" but can be used to help you monitor your progress?
And yes, this approach to Goal Setting can be applied to critical infrastructure projects, advancing your career, etc.
For the past few weeks I did some serious study on the Internet/YouTube and other resources on Goal identification and development. My favorite resources included Mr. Anthony Robbins, Stefan Pylarinos, Michael Hyatt, the book The Power of Focus by Jack Canfield et al,, and some personal notes I've accumulated over the years developing Goals for my career, employer and personal life.
With the ideas harvested from above, some key concepts surfaced as I began this year's effort to develop my own professional/career Goals as well as some personal ones. Here are points to consider:
- Start with a "Brainstorm" and list all of your goals you have for the next one, five, 10, 20 years. Just write them down and perhaps categorize them into such areas or categories as Professional, Physical, Personal, Financial, Family, Spiritual, etc.
- Select 5 to 10 of the most important Goals identified -- especially those you want to accomplish this year. (Trying to do more than 10 may just overwhelm you)
- Using these Goals you've developed, answer the following for each one -- you'll see this approach in the form shown below:
- What is the AREA of Focus? Or, what is the "Headline" for the Goal?
- What is the DEADLINE? Be sure to put a specific date, not just "This Year."
- Write down what the Goal is -- Use the SMART approach whereby the Goal should be: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-Bound -- Maybe consider writing down what you will "see" when the Goal is achieved (e.g., a bound/prepared report, or a waistline of 32 inches, or starting a new job, etc.)
- AND THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART -- WRITE DOWN WHY YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL. TAKE THE TIME TO EXPLAIN WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT TO YOU, WHAT YOUR PASSION IS ABOUT THIS GOAL, AND WHY YOU NEED TO COMPLETE THIS EFFORT. Take your time to really ensure you can articulate WHY this is important. It will pay off later on.
- Fill in the necessary actions required to start, pursue and finish the Goals. Consider set-up actions such as doing research, preparing files, etc. Then, add a fairly detailed list of actions to take -- preferably in order -- to achieve the Goal.
But, this is just the beginning...
Take time to review your Goals, at least Monthly. Ascertain your progress, problems, barriers, and successes. Take the time to savor your wins and look at ways to achieve the "stretch" Goals.
If anyone would like a .docx file of the above Goals form, please let me know via the comments to this post.
Lastly, I've used the above process and form to set up my Goals for 2016! My goals are in the areas of physical health, personal habits, writing, photography, and trying to clean out my office and garage! I'm excited about the new year and I hope you find this approach and the format above useful!
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