Perspectives  Dallas Chapter of ASTD Membership Newsletter  -  January 2007  << Table of Contents <<

5 Steps To Creating Authentic Goals

by Elaine Morris

 

Setting goals is one of the most basic things we do in business and in life.  Many of you have just come through your annual budgeting process and set organizational priorities.  As we wrap up the holiday season, many commit to New Year’s resolutions for personal habits, fitness, relationships and family life.  The fitness center industry counts on it!

 

As you engage in your personal and business goal setting this year, think about where you have been and where you would like to go next.  Listen to that still, small voice that tells you when you are being real and when you are kidding yourself.  Here are five steps to help you set goals that are inspiring, grounded and authentic.  A format is included to guide you. 

 

1)  Reflect

We are busy Americans used to constant noise, activity, stimulation, media and technology, so sitting still is a challenge.  However, it is the most effective way to gain a sense of perspective and build your self- awareness.  Try carving out an hour of quiet, uninterruptible time alone to look back on where you have been the last 12 months.  Scan through your successes, obstacles, risks, what you did not accomplish and main lessons you learned in the process. 

 

2) Confront Your Failures

It takes courage to look at what is incomplete or unresolved.  It may be a damaged relationship, a failed plan, a botched project, or a persistent bad habit.  Address what it will take to make needed changes.  There is no point in setting new goals on top of past failures.  It will prevent you from going forward.

 

3) Ask 3 Broad Questions

Scan the bigger picture before moving into more specific areas of goal setting.  This will give you the context you need to set priorities and ground your plans.

 

4)  Set Balanced Goals

Start with self-care, areas of personal effectiveness and then move to your business goals and organizational objectives.  By doing this you are integrating your life and acknowledging the very real interrelatedness of your well-being and performance.

 

5) Plan Follow Through, Support and Accountability

Most plans fail not because of poor goal setting, but a lack of follow through.  Take a few extra minutes and think through how you will approach your plan and who will support you.  Set regular times to review your goals and get input.

 

Annual Reflection and Goal Setting Guide

 

Instructions:  Take the time either all in one sitting or in sections to thoughtfully answer the questions that are presented.  This is a creative process and requires a quiet, uninterruptible setting.  Consider the Hebrew word “Abar” and the definition below.  This process will help you create where you are heading in 2007.

Abar: (Hebrew) - To travel in a direction that will change your destiny.

Consider this quote by Max Dupree.  This process will help you see what change may be next for you.

“We cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are.”
(Max Dupree)

 

STEP ONE:  Reflect on 2006

 

What were your 3-4 greatest accomplishments this year?

 

 

 

 

 

What do you think allowed for those successes? (example: something to you did especially well, tried a new approach, took coaching from others, new learning through study, sheer luck, experiences of the past finally paid off)

 

 

 

 

 

What was the smartest decision(s) you made this year?

 

 

 

 

 

What is the biggest risk you took in 2006?

 

 

 

 

 

How that was risk beneficial?  (If not, what did you learn?)

 

 

 

 

 

What would you most like to be acknowledged for?

 

 

 

 

 

What people had the most impact on your life in 2006?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step TWO:  Confront Your Failures

 

What results did NOT happen that you wish had happened?

 

 

 

 

 

To what do you attribute that?  (example:  what did you not do you that you should have done, did not take responsibility, made a wrong decision, got off track, procrastinated, outside circumstances beyond your control, etc.)

 

 

 

 

 

How did you grow as a businessperson out of the above experience?

 

 

 

 

 

Anything you wish you had done differently in 2006?

 

 

 

 

 

What was the greatest lesson you learned this year?

 

 

 

 

 

What is your biggest piece of “unfinished business” for 2006?

 

 

 

 

 

What would be an appropriate action take on the above?  (To complete it may take forgiving yourself, or another, communicating to someone, some actions to take, new habits to start, etc.)

 

 

 

 

 

What new practices do you resolve to take into 2007?

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART THREE:  Ask 3 Broad Questions

 

What do I want to learn in 2007?

 

 

 

 

 

What is the most important thing I MUST accomplish in 2007?

 

 

 

 

 

At the end of 2007, how do I intend to be different than at the beginning of 2007?

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART FOUR:  Set Balanced Goals

 

Self Care:

Physical – (take better care of yourself physically; your eating habits, exercise, doctor visits, vitamins, water consumption, what would add to your health, energy and vitality?)

 

 

 

 

Emotional/Social – (grow in self-awareness, communication skills, relationship management,  ability to relate to others, have more fun,  new paths of recreation, nurture hobbies)

 

 

 

 

Spiritual – (expand your ability to relate to God, explore the spiritual nature of your life, grow in the knowledge of your faith, make time for prayer, meditation, worship)

 

 

 

 

 

Mental – (invest in learning new methods of doing your work,  increase your reading, diversify paths of knowledge, understanding of world affairs, do crossword puzzles to sharpen your saw,  make a list of books to read)

 

 

 

 

 

Personal Effectiveness

How will you improve how you operate on a daily basis?  (Time management, more boundaries on your work hours, greater strategic focus, less time on unnecessary email, etc.)

 

 

 

 

 

Business Goals

3 Most Important 2007 Business Goals  

1.

 

2.

 

3.

 

Important Initiatives for 2007 Organizational Growth and Change: 

In what ways do you want to improve your work environment?  Set three areas of improvement.   (Efficiency, new systems, hire new person, improve performance evaluation methods, etc.)

 

1.

 

2.

 

3. 

 

 

PART FIVE:  Plan Follow Through, Support and Accountability

 

Experts agree that the major cause of failed strategies is lack of follow through and on-going support.  This applies personally and professionally.  Get yourself the support you need in areas you struggle.  Have a regularly scheduled time at least once each quarter to review your goals and strategies. 

 

What’s next in your planning process?

 

 

 

 

 

How often will you review?

 

 

 

 

 

How will you measure success?

 

 

 

 

 

Who will support you?  Be your “committed listener” to these goals?  Challenge you?  Hold you to account?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have a wonderful holiday season and I wish you the full accomplishment of your 2007 goals and more…please feel free to share this with your friends, family and colleagues!

 

 

 

 

About the Author:  Elaine Morris is principal consultant and founder of Sea Change Inc, an organizational effectiveness firm based in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.  A frequent keynote speaker and workshop presenter on leadership, corporate culture and personal growth, Elaine works with leaders and their teams to create productive and rewarding work environments.  Elaine has been a member of Dallas ASTD for 5 years and has served on the Dallas ASTD leadership team.   More information on her is available on her website: http://www.seachangecoach.com/ or contact Elaine by phone at 972-407-0648.