Goal setting is fundamental to achieving what we want. As a strategy for success, goals ensure that you constantly push yourself forward and are always aware of the next step.
In this article, we provide nine tips to consider when setting goals, whether they are professional or personal objectives.
1. Set one primary goal
When you create your goals, it’s essential to push your limits. You should feel challenged by them but not to the point that they overload you. Create a ‘big picture’ of what you want to achieve over a set period. It may be making a certain amount of revenue or reaching a particular level in your career. Concentrating on one big but achievable goal can maintain a level of focus.
2. Create sub-goals or milestones
Break up your main goal into smaller sub-goals or milestones to enable you to monitor your progress easily and consistently, keeping you motivated. For instance, if your goal is to attract more clients, set a goal of how many you will need to attract per month to see the numbers build gradually. While doing this, you can integrate tip number three.
Take all factors into consideration to ensure each milestone is realistic. For example, splitting the target equally across a year may not be appropriate when creating milestones. It will take time to build your lead pipeline, and the seasons or events that occur throughout the year may also impact your results.
3. Measure and track your progress regularly
While working through your sub-goals, ensure you track your results and review your achievements regularly. This doesn’t have to mean producing a graph with lines creeping upwards – you can compare revenue month by month or note how many people have visited your website this month compared with last. There’s no better motivation than keeping track of progress and seeing your progression.
These regular reviews also help you review that you are implementing the right strategy to ensure you are achieving your goals. If something isn’t working, you analyse the reasons and adjust your plan accordingly, which takes us to tip four.
4. Create a plan
It’s great having goals, but how do you plan on achieving them? You have your primary goal and milestones; now, you must qualify how exactly you will achieve them.
Your plan may focus on marketing techniques, improved communication, or increased productivity. It’s a good idea to consider all possible alternatives, ensuring more than one way to reach your goal. Then, if something doesn’t go to plan, you always have at least one alternative option.
5. Visualise yourself achieving your goal
Visualisation is a powerful tool. Take some time to write down what you want from your goals and why you want them. This can be a writing process that’s part of the plan, and you will quickly see how your motivation levels peak. Alternatively, you may find images, and creating a vision board works best for you.
When you have moments of self-doubt, visualise what you hope to get out of the process.
6. Be ambitious but realistic
While being idealistic, you must always also be realistic. Set yourself challenging goals that will enable you to move forward continually and learn as you go. Don’t set goals that are impossible to achieve. Don’t set yourself up to fail. Leave room for the unexpected and leave room for breathing space.
7. Adjust your plan when needed
There is no shame in changing tactics if things do not seem to be going as you had hoped. There will be some variables that you cannot control, and you cannot predict the future. By considering alternative plans of attack, you will be prepared for all possibilities and adjust your strategy.
8. Share your goals
Telling friends, family and colleagues your goals will allow you to hear what you are working towards out loud. Those people will play witness to your achievements along the way. Celebrate with them when you have reached a milestone, and discuss options with them when you reach a bump in the road. Accepting input from others can also help you to remain realistic and help you to step back and see other opportunities available to help you reach your goals.
9. Reward yourself
See each sub-goal for what it is: another small achievement. If you continue to work without appreciating your accomplishments, your motivation levels will drop, and you may begin to forget what you are working towards.
With these nine tips, you will be able to set yourself very achievable goals.
If you’re struggling to set goals or remain focused on achieving them, book a free discovery call to discuss how we can support you.
Originally published 3rd November 2016. Last updated 7th October 2022.
