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HR Forum - January 2007 - Achieve your goals and new year resolutions!

After the winter celebrations where we often tend to buy, eat and drink more than maybe we really need, it’s no wonder we approach the New Year with a determination to start it afresh. Typically, at this time of year, we start to make resolutions, often bold and challenging or just those things that we think we should do!   The resolution ritual can include an ambitious plan to lose weight, be more organized, be more positive, sort outstanding projects at work and all of this, by January 31st!!    What’s sad is that within a few weeks, research shows that most of these great ideas are given up and forgotten, lost in the busyness of everyday life.   

As we enter 2007, this resolution and goal setting ritual made me think of , in a work context, what differentiates high performers from the rest?  Some research by Brain Tracy (American self development guru) demonstrated what top salespeople have in common. It came as no real surprise, that it was simply, they take time to create a clear plan for themselves about what they want now and in the future. The key to this was great goal setting.

The main reason dreams and plans get broken is that people underestimate the change that is required from the normal day to day routine of work and home and it just seems too much effort. Every one of the top sales people believed their success was due to really thinking things through and writing them down so that a good intention was turned to action.

So how can we make sure we achieve what we want, either at work or personally?

1.  Clarity Is Critical 

Some questions to initially help you focus your thoughts and clarify your objectives or those of your team members.

• "What am I trying to do and by when?” decide exactly what you want to achieve in work, socially or whatever. Be specific! 
• "How am I trying to do it?"; make a list of everything you can think of that you are going to have to do to achieve your goal and place them in order of priority. 
• "What are my assumptions?” this could be in terms of time, resources, and your commitment level.
• "What if my assumptions were wrong?” what would be the consequences, what else would you need to do?
  

2.  Pick Realistic Goals

This sounds obvious, but often when I am coaching people and look at their appraisal documentation it is full of either unspecific goals, conflicting goals or just too many goals! A goal has to be realistic and in some way connect to what you were already doing before. So, if you want to get fitter and already walk to places rather than catch the metro, then extending that walk a bit longer and maybe eventually getting into jogging is not such a big stretch.

Many times people are driven by what they think other people want them to achieve or will approve of. Make sure you have a set of goals that inspire you to give your all every day rather than what you should do. Or, it gets increasingly difficult to stay motivated and on track.

Think of small steps rather than giant leaps, e.g., if you are scared of presenting, try to build your skills and confidence in “safe” environments ahead of significant or stressful meetings. Think of things you can do easily to just get you started on your goal, so it seems less scary.

3. Define Those Goals

What exactly needs to improve and what’s the benefit?  Improving an important relationship is a good goal, but you need to work out how you will do it. Is it by talking more often to the person or doing more things with them? How specifically you are going to move toward those goals:  when, why, what, where and how!

4. Have a Plan and Write it down

No goal is attainable without deciding what and when you're going to do the changes needed to reach that goal. Sheer willpower is not enough. When you are planning what you need to do think about, where do you see the potential issues that might make creating the change a challenge? How can you avoid or minimise these issues? Who or what can help and support you?

The goal and the steps you will take to reach each goal need to be written down. Some research done at Harvard proved that you are 7 times more likely to achieve your goal if it is written down.  This increases again, if you also tell people about your goal. Thinking about your goal is just not enough.

Don’t give up if things don’t work. A mistake is evidence of you trying something! Stay flexible and adapt things as needed to be successful in achieving your goals.

5. Enlist Additional Help or Support

Do something every day that moves you toward you achieving one or more of your important goals.  Some people will find they just can't quit smoking on their own, or confront a colleague at work. So think about whose help would be useful e.g. a coach, colleague, family member, a friend, or some type of support group?  

6. Review your Goals   

Study and review your goals to make sure they are still the right ones. Why are you doing what you are doing in the first place? You may find yourself deleting goals that are no longer as important as you once thought.

DO Something NOW!

Make a list of all the goals that you would like to achieve in the coming year. Write them down in the present tense, as though a year has passed and you had already achieved them. This helps you see and feel the goal!  Then, ask yourself, “What one goal, if I were to achieve it, would have the greatest positive impact on my work or life?”  Focus on this priority goal and make a plan. I hope you see and feel the difference. Good Luck!

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