Personal and Professional Annual Goal-setting for 2020

1997 was a big year for me. In January of that year, my roommate suggested we set goals, not just for the year, but for our lifetime. We both agreed that we were way too young to have an idea of what we wanted to do at retirement age, so we agreed to look out a max of 10 years. My roommate suggested we both write down our goals and keep them somewhere visible, where we’d see them daily. We started with 1 common goal: for me to visit his hometown ski resort, Stowe, in Vermont in 2002 (I told him NE has nothing on the Pacific NW). I also created a longer list of 1, 2, 5 and 10-year goals, which I taped to my nightstand (an old file cabinet) and looked at them every day, at least twice a day, as a result. That simple exercise changed the trajectory of my life and career and could do the same for you.

While I spent a day or two thinking about my life trajectory, it only took me a few minutes to write down a few personal and professional goals for each stage of the 10-year timeline. I tried to ensure the goals were S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Rewarding and Trackable). Long story short, I was able to check off all 10 of my goals within 5 years, starting with roughly doubling my salary in year 1 to finding my soul mate (wife) within the timeframe, although I didn’t expect to find anyone at the time. I admit most of the goals felt outlandish and virtually unachievable back then, but due to my daily reminders, intentionality and accountability, they became reality. If you do nothing else after reading this article, please write down a few goals and tape them to your nightstand, bathroom mirror or refrigerator and see what happens. Just the act of writing down your goals, and reading them, (even if nobody else knows about them) can be extremely effective.

After seeing success in my first year of achieving goals, I’ve created new ones each year. I initially called them New Years’ Resolutions, but quickly learned resolutions are meant to be broken within 4 weeks (eat better, swear less, etc.). I feel the term “goal” has more gravitas than “resolution” and it’s worked far more effectively to guide me towards success. In 2006, I made a professional goal to pitch the hospitality company that owns the Burj Al Arab, a 7-star hotel in Dubai. My boutique digital agency had a depth of hospitality business and industry credentials, but no connections or knowledge of the U.A.E. marketplace. Within 2 years, I found myself sitting in the offices of Jumeirah, pitching the Burj Al Arab business. Two years prior, I’d put my interest in Dubai out into the universe and it resulted in a speaking opportunity at a conference, which I then leveraged to secure the meeting. All because I read about the innovative hotel and dared to dream working with them one day. We didn’t get the business because I wasn’t willing to risk opening an office in Dubai at the time, but since the economy tanked within months of that meeting, I was able to make peace with the outcome.

I’ve mentioned my membership in Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) in the past, but the organization has played a critical role in helping me create and achieve goals via a host of tools, exercises and methodologies. One of the most memorable insights I gleaned from an annual EO GLC conference, was the importance of having a holistic view of life as an entrepreneur, which they branded as EO 360. Since then, it has evolved from an annual conference theme to a successful podcast. The concept of EO 360 is to create intention around four key quadrants in your life as an entrepreneur:

• Personal: physical, mental and emotional health and wellness
• Family: significant other, children, parents and siblings
• Community: your local business and industry ecosystem
• Business: your company and its employees, customers, vendors and other constituents (this could be your job if you don’t own the business – yet)

Each year, I create goals across the 360 spectrum. I’ve learned not to create more than 10 total, so typically 2 or so for each of the four categories. Since that EO event nearly a decade ago have been setting annual 360 goals. Another tip that I’ve found helpful, is having one or more individuals hold me accountable to those goals. As a result, I’ve leaned on my EO Forum, Anvil Advisory Board and Portland Agency Roundtable for support, each a collection of very smart and willing participants in holding me accountable. It’s worth noting that my family and employees also hold me accountable, but all business owners tend to have those. I typically share my annual and quarterly goals with 1 or more of those accountability groups and it helps not only hold me to my word, but they are often able to help me achieve those goals in ways I couldn’t without inspiration, experience, networks and support.

When setting personal, professional, family and community goals, think short and long-term. Each quadrant has different constituents and expectations, so timelines will vary. For example, my daily and weekly goals are both personal and professional, but my monthly and quarterly goals are typically professionally focused. My annual goals are all four quadrants. For long-term goals, I’ve found 10 years is as far out as anyone under 60 should worry about. For everything else, create a Bucket List. I’ve only knocked off a few of my Bucket List items, including driving a Ferrari, attempting to break the 200 MPH speed barrier, but have a few years to work on the others.

Whether you’re a recent college graduate or nearing retirement, goal-setting can be a powerful tool to get you to your end game, if not through the month. One parting thought: some of the goals I wrote down five-to-ten years ago didn’t make sense when I had the resources to check them off, so I changed them. Moving the yardstick is okay, especially if your personal needs, career or lifestyle have changed. Regardless, I encourage you to set your goals for 2020 (and beyond) now and break them down into smaller quarterly, monthly, weekly and even daily achievable goals. What are you waiting for?

Resources

Six Habits of Professionals More Successful Than You

Six steps to a fulfilling and financially-rewarding career

EO 360 Podcast

MindTools Personal Goal Setting