The need for setting achievable goals is something that both companies and individuals have in common—and to achieve the goals that are set, both people and organizations need to implement the right framework to help them get there. After all, if the goal is the destination, then the framework is the vehicle that helps you make the journey.
Putting together a framework that helps you achieve goals isn't necessarily as complicated as it might seem at first. To find out more, 10 members of Forbes Coaches Council, below, explore some actionable steps that a business or individual should take when preparing to pursue their goals or dreams.
1. Have A Clear Vision And Mission
Before establishing goals, an organization must have a vision and mission. New clients first need to ensure that their organizational vision and mission statements are clear. Thereafter, the next step would be to gain an understanding of their current state, including internal and external factors, as well as outlining their projected future state. Derive organizational goals from the gaps identified between their current and future state. An overall strategic planning process for the organization would include these steps. - Janette Braverman, Leaders Leaving Legacies, LLC
2. Identify And Target Your Central Issue
Through our research, we’ve discovered that leaders who improve significantly over time tend to focus on one key area for improvement. We call this one’s “Central Issue.” Coaching leaders through the process of identifying and taking targeted action on their central issue is one impactful way we support our clients. So, as we each continue to progress through the goal-setting process, a question to ask yourself might be, “What one key area should I focus on in 2020 to make the most impact in my leadership?” - Morgan Massie, Avion Consulting
3. Focus On Being Your Best Self
First, understand where you are your best self. Where does that self show up most often? - Linda Pounds, Emotional Intelligence at Work
Read more in Five Small Habits To Help You Maximize Your Workday
4. Determine The Deliverables Of Your Strategy
People should start with the end in mind, and that is knowing what are the deliverables of their business strategy, and determine if they are long-, medium- or short-term. They should develop a framework made of the time-bound milestones, program of actions toward achieving those milestones, resources required to implement the program of action, the champions for each action, the performance indicators for each action and the performance evaluation intervals. - Sam Tsima, COMETSA GoC International (Pty) Ltd
5. Break Goals Down Into Small, Actionable Chunks
I've helped a number of organizations develop and implement their strategies for growth and cultural change, and the framework I use with them is the same approach I take with my clients. Research tells us that change programs fail because people are not taken on the journey and companies don’t adequately outline the steps to achieve the goals. So what I do is share my 30-60-90 day framework for change. The hardest part of behavioral change is starting, so this breaks things down into bite-sized and actionable chunks. Less is more when it comes to goal-setting, so instead of aiming for 10 goals, people should narrow it to three solid goals that are achievable. - Shadé Zahrai, Influenceo Global
6. Review Previous Goals
A great way to reflect on whether it is time to make a change is to look at your work goals for the last five years. Have you had the same goals or versions of the same goals for the last few years? If so, you may not have had five years of experience, you may be repeating the same year five times. This step can help you to determine if it is time to ask for new projects, to take on mentoring or ask for mentoring, or to seek something brand new to restart your engine. In addition, ask yourself how you have spent your spare time over the last year. If the end of each day ends with you collapsed on the couch watching The Great British Baking Show or ESPN then it may well be time to create a plan to improve your work-life balance. - Elaine Walker, Career Launch Consulting
7. Write Down Goals
People who write down their goals are 33% more likely to achieve them. When you write down your goal, answer these three questions: Why do you want to achieve the goal, what do you exactly want to achieve, and what steps do I take to reach this goal? Now, the trick here is that your first step is your actual goal: Focusing on the outcome is the main reason people don't complete goals. Focus on the process and create a path to achievement. - Arathi Ramappa, Arathi Concepts LLC
8. Reflect On Values
One of the most important and productive activities one can do is the process of self-reflection for getting clarity on your values, what you truly desire to achieve and building a set of right habits to reach the goal. Reflection is the first and most important step in the entire process. - Avinash Anand, Blue Dot Transform Consulting Pvt LTD
Read more in How To Make Excellence A Habit
9. Define Your Mission
One actionable step to help new clients define the goals they want to achieve is to first have them review their vision and mission. What are the values and beliefs that they have which will support both their personal growth, as well as the team overall? On most occasions, leaders have not taken the time to ensure they are clear on their mission. Help them define not only what they want to achieve in terms of action steps, but how the framework for success will tie to them emotionally in order to execute at a deeper level and make sure they are driven for long-term success. - Bryan Powell, Executive Think Space | Merrill Lynch
10. Align Goals To Fulfilling Activities
The No. 1 step to achieve goals is to align these goals to activities that create personal fulfillment. Most goals are set vaguely, based on our perception or others’ opinions; i.e. “I want to lose X lbs in 2020.” Goals must align to your personal priorities in life—family, professional, spiritual and financial. The second step is to identify what it will take to achieve these goals and target that. - Sameer Khan, Inspiring Insights LLC
