Back then, the company’s leadership would declare its mission and communicate its objectives to every employee. Despite a few businesses still doing that, most adopt a different strategy. And not because they all of a sudden got woke. Instead, the majority of leaders now find it difficult to commit to a set of objectives due to the rapid pace of change. Following the money is the simplest way to determine what matters to someone because if they are investing in something, it is likely important to them.
You should have a strategy for supporting and influencing the priorities that the company is investing in. Because the more control you have over the plan, the more it will reflect your values, which is advantageous for you. If your organization is in such disarray that its leadership is unable to discern what its objectives should be, then, my friend, you have a fantastic opportunity to contribute to shaping the organization’s future.
Your three key areas will likely remain relatively stable from year to year, only slightly changing and only after a significant change in your job. This involves condensing a ton of information into a few key themes. Keep in mind that this is a compilation of your primary responsibilities rather than a list.
STEP 2: Visualize success in these three key areas one year from now. The majority of people focus on putting out the biggest fire in front of them when developing a plan. But that sets us up to be reactive vs. proactive. Instead, design your strategy with an emphasis on bringing about favorable outcomes in the future rather than trying to stop negative things from happening.
Imagine what your world would look like if you were successful in advancing all three of your core areas when creating your strategic plan. The more details you can imagine, the better. How would people be different this time next year, how would the workplace be different, how would the company benefit?
This requires creativity and a naiveté about the world. After all, to create the future, we must see what does not yet exist. This kind of thinking requires a mind that is playful, risk-taking, and unburdened by the need for assurances and safety. Allow yourself to be open to possibilities.
STEP 3 – Assess your current reality. You decide what is a priority and what isn’t by asking yourself: What is the current level of my skills, the organization’s readiness for change, and the available support/resources? We tend to base our decisions on deadlines (When is the next thing due?) and the proximity of “important” people (If that VP thinks it’s important, it must be important).
Also, way too often, people determine priorities based on others. False. If the CEO says something is a priority, it must be. It’s not about blindly following someone, even the CEO. Consider what your leadership, or clients, actually need rather than just what they want.
Determine the crucial steps required to produce results in STEP 4 Caution: Don’t turn this step into a detailed project plan. Your key actions merely serve as a reference manual or road map for how you want to improve your performance over the course of the year. However, it is beneficial to provide some context for your upcoming workload for the following year. Your primary course of action should be visible, audible, and observable. They might cover how you’ll carry out significant tasks, procedures, or obligations in order to achieve your objectives. Always keep in mind that you are only paid for your results, not how busy you are.
Writing your goals doesn’t have to be difficult. Keep in mind that using intention to determine your performance and priorities is the key here. Even if your organization is still deciding on its own course of action, you can still do this. If circumstances change, simply modify your goals. You’ll frequently need to change the context, the actions, and the timeframe. When the organization undergoes changes, the results frequently serve as anchors that remain relevant. They probably will, and you’ll be prepared for them.
- Set goals that align with company objectives. …
- Invite employees to identify job-specific goals. …
- Set SMART goals. …
- Emphasize attainable goals. …
- Set consistent goals for employees with similar responsibilities.
Benefits of setting goals at work
Setting goals for yourself at work will enable you to advance professionally. The benefits of setting goals at work include:
Guiding your career
Setting goals is a good way to guide your career decision. For instance, rather than becoming a painter, you might choose to become a software engineer if your goal is to have a career with high job security and opportunities for advancement.
Helping you maintain focus
You may find it simpler to focus on important tasks if you have goals. Knowing what you want from a project may make it easier for you to concentrate on the steps that are necessary to finish it. For instance, you might set modest objectives like making 10 sales calls or sending five follow-up emails each day if you wanted to increase your quarterly sales.
Completing major projects with ease
Long-term career success depends on completing big projects on time. Setting goals can make it much easier for you to complete these big projects. You can divide the project into several smaller steps rather than starting it all at once. You will be one step closer to completing the project once you accomplish each small goal.
Advancing your career
Setting these modest objectives is a good way to develop a success habit and continue advancing in your career. You can start setting higher goals, like getting a promotion or starting your own business, once you get into the habit of setting and achieving goals.
Short-term goals vs. long-term goals
A goal gives you a destination to work toward as well as a course of action to get there. You may wish to set two different types of goals:
How to set goals at work
Specific: make your goal-focused and detailed
For instance, instead of aiming to make more money, your goal could be to get a $10,000 pay raise by the end of the year. You can monitor your progress and change your behavior as necessary because you have a clear goal. Look for ways to be specific when setting your goals.
Measurable: determine how you will view success
When setting a goal, there are many different ways to measure success. For instance, rather than measuring success by landing the new job, if your goal is to change careers, you might base your measurement on the numerous steps you would need to take to do so. Every new skill you acquire in this situation could be considered a success.
Achievable: decide whether you can accomplish your goals
An effective objective is one that you can accomplish in a reasonable amount of time. Do some research to make sure your goal is realistic before you take any action. Refining your goal might be necessary, for instance, if you recently started in an entry-level position and your goal is to become company president within a year.
Relevant: set appropriate goals
Each goal you set should bring you one step closer to achieving your long-term objective. To ensure that your goal is pertinent, you may want to ask yourself a number of questions before you decide to set one. Determine if the objective aligns with your values, if it is meaningfully assisting you, and if it contributes to your long-term goals.
Time-based: have a concrete start date and end date
Setting a firm start date and end date for pursuing your goal is crucial because goals are meant to help you stay focused. You can choose the start date whenever you like, but before selecting the end date, you’ll need to do some research. Establish the requirements for achieving your goal, taking into account any potential obstacles you might face. A realistic end date should then be possible for you to set.
SETTING PROFESSIONAL GOALS OR 2020 | How to set career goals you can slay
FAQ
What are some good goals for work?
- Communicate with impact. …
- Grow your skills through continuing education. …
- Improve your public speaking. …
- Work on team collaboration. …
- Build your network. …
- Research your competition. …
- Master time management. …
- Sign up for leadership training.
