Your Ultimate Guide to Goal Setting Using North Star Goals
Patrick Ewers
Founder & CEO at Mindmaven | Author of #1 Bestseller Radical Delegation | Speaker | Helping Executives Free Up 12+ Hours a Week
North Star Goal Setting is extremely powerful when done right. That’s why I want to give you the ultimate guide to goal setting using North Star Goals, with North Star strategy examples and interactive goal-setting worksheets. But first, let me ask you something ...
Imagine your ideal life in 5-10 years, where you are enjoying feeling accomplished and successful.
What had to happen in your life to experience your desired level of success? What did you accomplish? Who did you become?
When it comes to goal-setting theory, it's important for you to ask yourself, what does success look like for you?
Goal Setting Theory
Before you can begin any journey, you have to know where you're going.?You can't set effective goals without a compelling vision of success.
"Every goal, long-term or short, needs to be rooted in a vision of success."
Until you have a vision of success that you truly connect with and that inspires you, you can't create meaningful or motivating goals.
How Do You Measure Success?
When it comes to defining success, there's no “right" way to do it.?
Some people measure success by their bank account, others by their family. Some people won't feel successful until they're a CEO, others when they've lost 30 pounds.?
Success can take many forms, including
None of these are inherently right or wrong; it's all about what resonates with you.?
To complete your own goal-setting worksheets, we have created a FREE interactive North Star Strategy Template for you. Simple comment 'Yes Please' below this article, and we'll send you a copy.
Stop Setting Weak Goals!
The reason some goals don’t work is if people take the wrong approach; their ambitions are either too grounded or too lofty. The truth is, when it comes to setting effective goals, it takes a little of both.?
"You need long-term aspirational objectives and you also need tactical day-to-day goals."
And that’s what we’ll talk about today — the missing pieces to goal-setting mastery.
Setting the Destination: North Star Objectives
North Star Goal Setting
Now that you’ve defined success, you need a way to measure it to know when you have achieved your goals. That’s where North Star Objectives come in.
When people ask me what is an example of goal setting or what goal setting is and why it is important, I always point to North Star goal setting as a leading example.
Read on to find out what is a North Star Goal and Objective and what is the meaning of North Star in business.?
What are North Star Goal Objectives?
North Star Objectives are long-term, high-level, aspirational goals that motivate, inspire, and uplift you as the goal-setter.
You’ll know you’ve created an effective North Star Objective when the mere thought of it leaves you feeling excited, energized, and motivated; even if you don’t know how you’re going to make it a reality.
Think of them the way sailors view the North Star: A way to stay on course, no matter where you are. And if you don’t know where to go or what to do, all it takes is a quick glance to get back on track.
How To Create a North Star Objective and Achieve Your Goals
State your North Star Objective as if you have already achieved it, and be as specific as you can about the amount and time frame.
Let’s take a look at a few North Star Objective examples …
Notice that the North Star Objective examples above don’t say exactly how those results will be realized; they just provide the direction with a clear deadline. That’s all that’s required.
Get your own FREE goal-setting template with North Star Strategy examples — simply comment ‘Yes please’ below, and we’ll send you a copy.
What Makes North Star Objectives so Effective as a Goal-setting Template?
Unlike goals outlined in other approaches, North Star Objectives aren’t necessarily pragmatic or utilitarian, and that’s okay; their strategic value isn’t in dictating exactly what needs to be done, it’s in their ability to empower their owner.
"Your North Star Objective must resonate uniquely with you."?
Like true motivation, it shouldn’t be influenced by outside expectations or limitations.
What are North Star Principles?
North Star principles are the coordinates for where you want to go in life; the driving force behind your thoughts, behaviors, and interactions.
North Star objectives are aspirational goals that have two defining characteristics:?
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Create your North Star Goal Objective by combining your definition of success with a due date.?
Comment ‘Yes Please’ on this article below to get your free North Star Objective Template with video tutorials and interactive goal-setting strategy examples.
Like the real North Star, your objective is only as useful as it is visible.?
Keep it top-of-mind by integrating it into Asana (or whatever system you use for task management).
"Like the North Star, goals are only as useful as they are visible."
Plotting the Course: Goal Tests
North Star Objectives give you a clear picture of your destination but don’t tell you how to get there. For that, you need goal tests.
Goal tests are the tactical foundation for North Star Objectives. They’re specific, easy to understand, and, most importantly, easy to measure.
Goal tests look similar to the objectives you’d create with other goal-setting approaches, with one major difference — goal tests are always written in a clear “yes-or-no” format.
Think of goal tests as stepping stones toward your North Star Objective or actions you must take to turn your vision into reality.
"Turn your vision into reality."
Setting North Star Objectives and Goals
Goal tests are tactical short-term tasks that move you closer to your North Star Objective.?
They have three defining characteristics:?
What is Your North Star Example for Goal Setting Tests?
People ask about the meaning of North Star meaning in business, so let’s look at a few examples of goal-setting tests for the following North Star Objective:?
“I am one of the top-ten venture capitalists in my industry by 2028.”
Goal Tests:
Notice that none of the goal tests above leave any room for ambiguity. At the end of the day, week, or month, you either completed them or you didn’t. Yes or no. There’s no “maybe” or “kind of,” and you can’t say you didn’t know what you had to do.
Begin Your Success Journey NOW!
If there’s one thing I’d ask of you, it’s that you do not close this article intending to follow through on it “later.”?
You and I both know life is too busy for “later,” and even with the best of intentions, “later” usually means “never.”
If you’re serious about your success, start now. Type ‘Yes Please’ in the comments to receive your free North Star Objective Template. This includes video examples and an interactive template to make the process easy, effective, and fun.
Grab a piece of paper or open a blank document and complete the following tasks:
"Success is the result of planning, and there’s no better planning than goal-setting."
Your Next Steps: North Star Goal Setting …
*Special Bonus: Share Your North Star Objective & Win Free Coaching
Let us help you reach your true potential.?
Share your North Star objective and apply for a free coaching session. More details are in the North Star Objective Template — type ‘Yes Please’ in the comments below to receive your free copy.
Please share this with anyone who you feel will benefit. What greater gift can we give than the tools and techniques to help someone achieve their ultimate goals and a better future??
I look forward to hearing from you once you have set your North Star Objectives and Goals. Let me know how you get on, and remember that we have a select number of free coaching sessions available to help move things forward with the best possible support.
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