Goal Setting That Works - How to Set Yourself Up for a Successful 2023

"Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible." ~ Tony Robbins

As we finish 2022 and head into 2023, many people, myself included, are taking stock of the year and looking ahead to the new one.

You might be reflecting and asking yourself questions such as:

• What did I accomplish this year?
• How did I grow?
• Are there any setbacks I can learn from?
• What do I want 2023 to look like?
• How can I establish better success habits?
• Who can help me achieve my goals and hold me accountable?

These questions are just a sampling, but they should get your mind thinking about growth, development, and achievement.

I invite you to take some time as we head into this New Year to then create meaningful goals so you can chart out a successful year.

The ideas I share below can help!

Achievement Goals and Habit Goals

"A goals is not just about what you accomplish. It's about what you become." ~ Michael Hyatt

When it comes to setting goals, there are two types of goals you might consider setting.

Achievement goals

Achievement goals are specific accomplishments or milestones you might want to get to. There should be a measurement so you know whether or not you have reached it. There should also be a date you are shooting for.?

This is the classic type of goal to use the SMART framework:

• Specific
• Measurable
• Achievable
• Relevant
• Time-bound.

Habit goals

Habit goals are commitments to do something important on a consistent basis. Establishing habit goals is more about gradual growth through continual action rather than achieving a one-time goal. There is no defined scope or limited timeframe, but rather these goals represent ongoing activity.

There are four keys to effective habit goals:

1. Start date - when you intend to begin installing the habit.
2. Frequency - how often you will observe the habit. This could be daily, certain days of the week, weekly, monthly, etc.
3. Time trigger - when you want to do the habit. It can be a specific time of day, week, and so on. This makes it easier to be consistent if you can do it at the same time.
4. Streak target - This is how many times in a row you must do the habit before you can consider the habit "installed." At this point, it should feel like second nature, and you don't need to focus on it as much.

As you chart your goals for the new year, consider having a mix of achievement and habit goals. Ideally, the habit goals can even help you move towards your desired achievements!

Create Systems to Help You Achieve Goals

"You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems." ~ James Clear

In order to achieve your goals, you'll need to create an environment and systems that help you achieve them. If not, you are unlikely to reach your desired ends.

One key piece of your system should be establishing accountability. A recent study by ASTD (American Society for Training and Development) found that individuals have the following probabilities of completing a goal by taking these actions:

• Having an idea or goal: 10% likely to complete the goal
• Consciously deciding that you will do it: 25%
• Deciding when you will do it: 40%
• Planning how to do it: 50%
• Committing to someone that you will do it: 65%
• Having a specific accountability appointment with someone you’ve committed to: 95%

That's astounding! If you do nothing else, commit to someone specific and set up that accountability appointment!

For habit goals, James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, recommends 4 ways to improve your ability to create a new habit and change your behavior:

1. Make it obvious - put reminders or whatever tools you need to perform your habit on display front and center.
2. Make it attractive - start with whatever part of the habit you like the most, so you’ll actually want to do it.
3. Make it easy - don’t create needless friction by focusing on actions that are harder to accomplish. Create simple ways to simplify the habit action you want to take.
4. Make it satisfying - if you need a reward go for it! Just find some way to enjoy and celebrate the habit (without doing something else that is destructive)!

Finally, I recommend having some sort of tracking system for your goals. How will you know you are on track??

This can be in a journal, an app, or other measurement device. Measure and track your progress along the way so you can see the growth/improvement and keep positive momentum! If there is a setback, get back to it as soon as you can!

Examples of Goals and Plans You Might Set

"Stop setting goals. Goals are pure fantasy unless you have a specific plan to achieve them." ~ Stephen R. Covey

This last quote may seem to be contradictory to most of what I have shared with you thus far, but I don't think so. The whole point is the goal needs to have a plan behind it.

Here are some examples you might work off to think about goals/plans for what you want to achieve and become in 2023. I'll share an example of an achievement goal and a habit goal:

• Achievement Goal: Read 52 Books in 2023
• Deadline: December 31, 2023
• Motivations: growth that comes from learning, leaders are readers, expanding my mind
• Next Steps: ask for recommendations from those I respect, select 20 books to start and add to my GoodReads list, download the Audible and Libby apps, buy a notebook to record thoughts on my reading
• Accountability: Share reading list with three friends quarterly and make sure I read ~ 13 books per quarter
• Reward: take a snowboarding trip next winter after achieving the goal
• Habit Goal: Develop a daily meditation habit, starting January 15 for 60 days
• Time of day: 6am daily
• Motivations: to quiet my mind, experience health benefits of meditation, to increase ability to be present and focused
• Next Steps: Get subscription to my favorite meditation app, set daily alarm for 5:45am to wake up on time and be ready to meditate
• Accountability: Find two friends who will also commit to daily meditation and send weekly group texts reporting on how many days we meditated
• Reward: Go on a weekend vacation with my spouse

These are just ideas, but you can craft and build goals and habits that are custom to you with these basic frameworks!

Take Ambitious Action

It's time to create some goals! Spend 30 minutes coming up with at least three achievement or habit goals you want to accomplish in the coming year.

Reach out and acquire accountability partners.

Create systems to help you be successful.

Get started and have a Happy New Year!

Accelerate Your Career

If you're ready to accelerate your career and leadership further and want some help doing it, here are a few ways I can help when you're ready:

1. Watch a FREE Engineering Career Masterclass - the 4 Keys to Intentional Engineering Career Transitions
2. Enroll in the Engineering Career Accelerator - the exact system that dozens of engineers have used to go from confused to thriving in their careers.
3. Schedule a free call with me to talk about getting personalized 1:1 and group support on your goals.