Become a Goal Getter!

I usually love the beginning of a new year. It’s a time to reflect back on what we accomplished in the previous year and to get a fresh start on the year ahead. However, 2021 was a very traumatic year for me with the death of my husband in April, after a 46-year marriage. But as I have moved through 2021, with our 26-year-old daughter by my side, and the love and support of friends and colleagues, I have tried to put his death in perspective and to focus my efforts on helping others to think about how they can lead their lives to make 2022 their best year ever. We are now one quarter into 2022, but it is not too late to engage yourself, your family, or your team in how you can become a Goal Getter in 2022.

For some, the New Year is a time for setting resolutions. Just the word resolution causes me to think "resistance" and implies that sheer will-power will enable me to get something accomplished. I much prefer to work with my clients on setting GREAT GOALS that really matter. So, in mid-January, one of my pharmaceutical clients engaged in Team Goal Setting by first identifying the most critical priorities for their new program team and then used the RASCI model to assign cross-functional accountabilities for working on those goals over the next year. I worked with a group of legal marketing directors to think strategically about which "Leadership Table" they want to be sitting at 1-2 years from now-a career goal setting session for them. And just last week, I led a group of healthcare women to identify their Top 10 Goals for their professional and personal lives in 2022 by asking them:

"What will it take for you to look back on 2022 to say that it was "my best year yet"?

I encourage my clients to not just jump into thinking forward about goals but to take the time to look backwards and reflect on not only what they accomplished or fell short on last year, but to examine what are their “success patterns", i.e., what contributed to success or failure and what are the "lessons learned". Too many times in our quest to move forward we forget to celebrate our success and learn what we can take forward into the new year.

When it comes time for setting goals, I don't get hung up initially on whether something is a Goal, an Objective, a Strategy, or a Tactic. This becomes too tedious and de-energizing. We start with the premise that we are going to create a terrific year for ourselves or our business or our team. I like to start with the ending and ask my clients to imagine it's December 31, 2022, and as you look back, you realize that 2022 was not just a good year...it was a great year! Think about what you would be proud and pleased to say that you achieved in 2022. What stretch goals did you hit? What did you improve? What "bad" things did you fix or eliminate?

And here is where a technique I learned several years ago makes a big difference: State the goals in the positive and present tense, as if you have already accomplished them. When you're done, ask yourself this question, "If I or we really accomplished all of, (or most of) these things would I/we be proud, confident, happy...and just plain better overall? These are the great things you're predicting can happen for your business, for your family, for your friends and community and for yourself.

Once you have clear end-state goals written down, then it's time to create a 2022 Great Goal Plan that will include metrics and milestones for each goal: How will you know you are making progress on a monthly/quarterly basis and what are the steps you need to take to get you there. Your Plan should make sure that your goals are all SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-Bound.

Now some of us are born compulsive goal setters (I'm one of them. I started making "To Do" lists when I was 5, following the lead of my Mother, who always made lists. Each one started with #1: "Get up", so I had at least one thing I could check off every day!) In my adult years I have gotten even more structured. After I set my yearly goals, I create quarterly, monthly, and weekly goals. If you are inclined in this direction, there are now even software programs that can help you with this type of goal setting process. I (and others who have researched the goal-setting process), do believe that if you write down your goals and tell at least 'some other people' what they are, you have a stronger chance of achieving them.

If, on the other hand, this type of goal setting would drive you nuts, no need to worry. Our incredible brains help us out. Apparently once we think about something we want to accomplish, the part of our brain called the "Reticular Activating System" goes on alert and keeps sending us reminders about what we said we wanted to accomplish and directs us to resources that can help us. It's just that writing down your goals strengthens those messages to your brain.

Up until now, I've described this goal setting process as one that you can use for your individual, business or team goals. You can also use it to set family goals. To deal with our mutual loss we have committed in 2022 to taking a “Mother-Daughter” journey every quarter—even for just a long week-end.?Our first one, a trip to the Titanic Museum in Orlando, happened last month!

A word of caution as you proceed on your Great Goals Journey - just like the adage "Don't look backwards", I strongly believe that if we only look and work towards the future, we'll miss the wonderful moments of today.?????

Actions for Results: Tips & Tools for Achieving Great Goals!

Identify Your Successful Achievements: Analyze past goals and milestones that you have successfully completed. Write out your "Patterns of Success" so that you can repeat them in the future.

Don't Live in "The Gap": When you set aspirational goals, it is easy to focus on the obstacles and the effort it will take to bridge the gap between your goals and current reality. Instead, keep focused on achieving the milestones that signify progress to springboard you to the next level of achievement.

Pay Attention to Unexpected Gems: As you pursue your goals you may encounter opportunities that you could not have anticipated. Pursue them, particularly if they are aligned with your longer-term goals.

Review your goals and progress on a consistent schedule: For teams, goal reviews should happen minimally on a monthly basis. For your personal goals, you should review them every two weeks, and with an accountability buddy if possible. Why the shorter review time frame for your personal goals? Most of us are used to setting goals at work.?If you are not used to setting personal goals, it will be easier to put them aside and procrastinate working on them.

?Be a Happy Goal Getter!!!

#lyndaonleadership #leadership #goalgetter #goals

?

Free Strategy Session with Lynda McDermott Are you or your organization facing a particular performance challenge? Leadership issues? Turf wars instead of teamwork? Struggling with a major change? Expanding globally, but not collaborating across borders? Frustrated with lack of business growth???Then let’s talk.?Visit Talkwithlynda.com to schedule a FREE 30 Minute Strategy Session with Lynda

Ask or Tell the EquiPro Coach We want to hear from you - whether it is a question or a suggestion! Email me at: [email protected]

About EquiPro International EquiPro increases business performance through leadership, team, and business development strategies. From Pfizer to Hearst Magazines to PricewaterhouseCoopers, we have worked with some of the world's most respected companies?

?

?