Be the Expert: Set Powerful Goals

Methodical Strategic Planning Sets You Up So You Can Achieve Your Goals

As a leader, it is essential to set both personal and professional goals for yourself. Powerful goals are goals that both inspire and scare you a little. They’re the goals that will change your life. Goal setting can be fun when you first begin to think about what it is you’d like to achieve in life.

Make sure the goals you are setting for yourself are attainable and specific. If you find you are coming up with vague or generalized goals, dig a little deeper into the “why” behind them. If you find the goals you are coming up with are a bit hefty, break them down into more manageable sizes. You want your goals to be clear, precise and realistic, so that the road to get there is well-defined.

It’s best to have your goals written down and put in places you will see them on a daily basis: on your kitchen refrigerator, in your office on your desk, by your nightstand in your bedroom, etc. Having your goals visually present will keep them in the forefront of your mind so you can always be working to achieve them.

When you have goals that are measurable, it is easier to track your progress. Consider specific numbers, figures and dates so you can measure your success or know when to readjust your strategic plan.

Don’t let obstacles demotivate you from achieving your dreams. Break apart each setback, understand why it happened, and move forward with your plan of action. Celebrate every little success and stride forward when it comes to your powerful goals!

5 Golden Rules for Powerful Goal Setting

1. Make sure the goals you set for yourself actually motivateyou

2. Write your goals down and keep them readily viewable

3. Set specific and measurable goals so you can track your progress

4. Design a strategic plan for each of your goals with timetables and deadlines

5. Prepare yourself for setbacks and don’t let them discourage you from success

5 Techniques to Recover from Goal Setbacks   

1. Discuss your roadblocks with a trusted friend or mentor

2. Journal about your fears and strengths – use your strengths to eliminate those fears

3. Meditate and focus on the “why” behind each of your goals

4. Adjust your strategic plan and make sure your timetables are realistic

5. Don’t forget to reward yourself and celebrate when you reach milestones

You want your goals to be clear, precise and realistic, so that the road to get there is well-defined.

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EXERCISE:

Take a minute to review the five items listed below. Using a sheet of paper or an empty journal page, number it from 1 – 50. Write down 10 goals you can think of for each of these categories. Now go back down that list and rate them each on a scale of 1-10 (ten being highly motivated) how important this goal is to your personal and professional development. Scratch out any that are not rated an eight or above. Go through this list again and narrow it down to the five most important, powerful goals that you are ready to focus on right now.

1. Spiritual

2. Family

3. Career

4. Health

5. Community

For more strategic planning tips, sign up for the Monday Morning Coaching Memo.

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