Setting Goals that Drive Results

Making new resolutions or setting goals can seem simple. Just declare a desire – like many do at the new year. You may even write it down. For example, your goal could be to learn artificial intelligence (AI) this year. However, personal experience suggests that many goals we declare are merely good intentions and fail to materialize. That’s because setting goals that actually drive results is different than just having a good intention. It takes discipline.

Setting goals means you are driving change, and change is hard. Regardless of how determined you are, determination alone will not deliver success. This is particularly important for leaders who are expected to drive success and are judged by their results, rather than lofty goals.

It is, therefore, imperative that the goals we set are not just good intentions fortified with determination and grit, but follow proven methods that drive solid results. In so doing, we can increase our rate of success.  Let’s investigate how that can be done.

How to Set Goals that Stick

Consider the following process to set effective goals that drive results.

1. Dedicate time to focus. Goal setting is important work that requires dedicated, focused time to plan and develop an effective goal. Taking the time upfront to do quality work will increase the probability of a goal that will reap dividends in the long run.

2. Review Lessons Learned. Learn from past goal-setting experiences to determine what worked and what did not work. One of the lessons I learned about mastering personal goals some time ago was to keep my list of goals small. Think “bite-size.” That increased my success rate. Whatever your lessons, apply these valuable nuggets to this process.

3. Collaborate for effectiveness. Include your business partners, significant other, leaders, or peers. This drives alignment, support, and helps with accountability. When a team participates in goal setting, they are more committed to driving the results. Most importantly, align your goals to a higher purpose. It could be a family plan, your church’s direction, an organizational mission, or a team strategy.

4. Make them SMART. This is a proven framework to get solid results. That’s because the goals developed are realistic and achievable. This is what you are trying to achieve, why it is important, and when you need it done.  Here’s an example of how to make your goals SMART.

• Initial (not-so-smart) Goal: Learn Artificial Intelligence this year.

• SMART (better) Goal: Improve my AI understanding by attending at least two AI introductory courses and sharing my knowledge gained with two people within the next 6 months, so I can expand my skill base and remain relevant in the digital age.

Here is what makes this goal smart:

• (S) Specific: Improve my AI understanding.

• (M) Measurable: Attend two classes and share my knowledge with at least two people.

• (A) Achievable: Attend courses at a training institution.

• (R) Relevant: Expand my skill base and remain relevant in the digital age.

• (T) Time Bound: Within the next 6 months.

As you can see, reframing our goal into the SMART format produces a more defined goal with elements that enhance our chance for success.

5. Document Your Goal. A goal in our heads is just a wish. It’s accepted that writing things down makes them clearer and more executable. It forces us to think deeper, which causes us to value the outcome more, resulting in a deeper commitment to the written goal.

6. Connect to a “Why.” Goals should motivate and inspire us towards a desire or something important, such that the achievement will be highly rewarding.  We are less likely to achieve a goal if we are not passionate about it.

7. Focus on impact versus ease. The most important goals will drive the greatest impact and therefore should be prioritized. These are often the most challenging. Instead of avoiding them, consider the experience gained by tackling them head-on. Another strategy to increase impact is by including other key stakeholders who can amplify our results and reach far beyond our circle of influence.

8. Develop an Execution Plan. Determine how the plan will be executed. What is the step-by-step process to achieving that goal? For example, let’s use our goal of increasing our AI understanding. The plan to achieve that goal could begin with finding out where we can get basic AI classes. Another step in the plan could be to register for a class. Yet another step could be to set aside time to attend classes online or in person. Until these steps are completed, the goal of increasing our AI understanding would be fleeting.

Following this set process will yield better results than declaring a goal and hoping it happens.

Goal Maintenance

Once a goal is set, it needs to be nurtured to life. Here are a few keys to bringing our goals to life.

• Establish accountability. It could be as simple as enrolling an accountability buddy; someone to whom we feel accountable to accomplishing the goal. I don’t know about you, but I have a higher probability of success when I exercise with a buddy than by myself. We encourage, motivate, and work to avoid disappointing each other.

• Communicate. Unless it’s a patentable idea, it’s helpful to share our goals with trusted partners or key stakeholders. Putting a goal out in the open can be freeing and motivating. Sometimes, we need to hear ourselves speak out our desire.

• Track progress with intermediate targets or progress markers. Consider our goal of improving our AI understanding. A first milestone could be to research basic AI education courses by a certain date. The next milestone could be to register for a class by a certain date. If we complete each milestone, we will be on track to accomplish our goal.

• Periodically review and adjust. Life is not a straight line, and things change outside our control. Are we on target? Off base? What barriers stand in our way? This also includes self-reflection. Could we be sabotaging our plan? Maybe you just need to reset your existing personal goals. Make the necessary adjustments if off track to get back on the path.

• Celebrate achievements. Celebration is a launchpad for the next phase or milestone. Take time to recognize and celebrate each small achievement. Use the achievement as motivation to shoot for the next milestone.

Often, we set goals without taking the next step to nurture them to life. Set the goal, but maintenance will drive successful implementation.

Goal setting is a phenomenal tool for anyone desiring to move to the next level. It can drive the results we want in our personal or professional lives. However, it takes discipline to follow proven methods such as the SMART process. This increases the probability of success.  

Empowered Leader Reflection

What are you going to do differently to improve the probability of your goals succeeding?

Would you share your thoughts with us below?

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