New Year’s Resolutions. Every January, you’re bound to hear about all the changes individuals are looking to make for the year. Some will talk about weight loss, getting physically healthy, or changing money habits. And while resolutions can lead to positive changes, when discussing leadership goals, it’s important to set yourself up for long-term success.
To get started, set a goal and write it down.
Share it with your team, post it somewhere visible in your office, make it the screensaver on your computer, make your goal tangible and real.
Don’t be afraid to update your goal if needed. You are allowed to modify your long-term plans to reflect changing priorities and experiences.
SMART is an easy acronym that can be used to set your goals. According to Mindtools, SMART goals are “Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-Bound”.
When setting a specific goal, try to answer the following 5 W’s: “What do I want to accomplish? Why is this goal important? Who is involved? Where is it located? Which resources or limits are involved?” (Mindtools). Making a goal measurable allows you to track your progress which is a great motivator to keep going when you hit a bump in the road. When setting a goal, it’s imperative that it be attainable. If you set an impossible goal, your motivation will wane, your frustration will rise and walking away from the goal is a likely outcome. A relevant goal is one that matters to you. You can reflect on these questions to see if the goal is relevant: Mindtools encourages asking questions, “Does this seem worthwhile? Is this the right time? Does this match our other efforts/needs? Am I the right person to reach this goal? Is it applicable in the current socio-economic environment?” Finally, a time-bound goal is one that has a clear end date. This provides you and your team with a deadline and something to work toward on an everyday basis.
By setting SMART goals, rather than unrealistic New Year’s resolutions, you are able to create motivation for yourself and your team. But regardless of your goal-setting process, here’s to hoping the New Year brings positive, long-term changes to your workplace and that 2022 is full of growth.
Stratengy is here to help you navigate being a great leader in today’s world. Reach out to us today to learn how we can help you and your team be engaged, productive and working together.
