Whilst it’s important to establish clear goals that align with the vision of the organisation, this can only be achieved once an effective goal-setting system is in place. Recognised as one of the most powerful actions you can take to improve personal productivity, goal setting is the process of developing a mission statement for something you want to change or achieve.
This means taking the time to outline specific goals that support your mission, whilst listing the benefits of achieving them – it’s all well and good to write down a handful of pipeline dreams, but you must have a clear understanding of how to reach your destination if you’re going to be successful.
For example, do you have a deadline for achieving the goals? What potential obstacles will you need to overcome along the way? These are all important considerations that contribute to an effective goal setting process.
Of course, that’s not to say you can’t ‘dream big’ or have long-term aspirations, but there must be structure and planning if you’re going to achieve what you’ve set out. Without clear direction, the goals you’ve outlined will be nothing more than words in your notepad, as you struggle to make them a reality.
Track your progress
One of the key components of effective goal setting is monitoring progress and reviewing objectives. Many people make the mistake of believing the process is complete once a list of clear and attainable goals has been established – this should never be the case.
Like a lot of things in life, your professional development will experience some occasional bumps in the road, blowing you off course and forcing you to navigate through difficult periods. However, like driving your car in adverse weather conditions, there are adjustments you can make to ensure the journey continues and you reach the destination safely.
To do this, you must adopt a system that enables you to accurately track progress, so you can make changes where necessary. Although ‘putting the blinkers on’ may improve your focus by minimising the distractions around you, this could also be counterproductive as you turn a blind eye to situations that have a direct impact on your objectives.
Instead of powering through and relentlessly chasing your goals, it’s important to take routine breaks so you can stop and think about the direction you’re heading. These opportunities to review your progress will help you make the developmental journey more efficient.
Establish a winning mentality
Another important part of the goal-setting process is visualising success and celebrating the accomplishment of meaningful goals and milestones. It goes without saying that you must establish a strong emotional connection with your goals if they are to become effective motivators.
Celebrating small achievements will give you a taste of success, allowing you to experience the sense of accomplishment that comes with it. For aspirational individuals, this feeling will become addictive, encouraging them to push forward, despite any challenges that present themselves.
This process includes writing affirmations to support your belief in your ability to accomplish the goal. Ultimately, your success relies on personal confidence and determination, without which the journey can feel like an uphill struggle, as you begin to question your own capabilities.
Therefore, it’s not premature to celebrate the accomplishment of smaller goals. This winning mentality will give you the motivation needed to strive for more, taking you and your business to the next level.