Your Goal Setting Guide

Stonehenge at the Summer Solstice

The Summer Solstice Gives us Pause for Reflection

On this summer solstice we celebrate the longest day of the year and the start of summer in the Northern hemisphere.  Even though we’re not quite halfway through the year, it’s a natural pause point in nature as the sun hangs in the same spot for a while before continuing its journey.  This got me thinking about where I am with my annual goals.  It seems to me that the year is tripping by at lightning speed so I think it’s important to stop and reflect on what I said I wanted to achieve this year and where I've got to.

With so much going on in daily life, it’s very easy to get distracted, especially by the thought of summer holidays and taking some well-earned time off.  That’s why I’m taking time to plan the next half of the year so I can holiday in peace.

Do you even remember the goals you set for yourself this year?

I remember back when the annual KPI session would come around and I’d spend hours devising SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals and agreeing them with my manager only to file them away until my half-year review.  My goals were not present for me on a daily basis which meant I had to make a mad dash to review them and try and remember what I’d done over the past 6 months.  Retro-fitting my achievements to my goals was always a chore.

So, how do you manage goal setting and track your progress?

Keep It Simple Stupid (KISS)

The KISS acronym explains a design principle about not over-complicating things.  It’s also used in the self-development arena in relation to goal setting.  What’s important is that you keep your goals simple so that you can remember them easily.  

1. Have a few over-arching goals that you can memorise or at least write on a post-it note and put somewhere you’ll see them every day.

2. Detail each goal and its sub-goals in a KPI (Key Performance Indicator) format using SMART goals so that you know exactly what you’re committing to.  It’s so important to frame your goals clearly, particularly when you have to be accountable for what was agreed at the end of the year.  It’s a clear, factual point of reference for your annual review and a boundaried structure that outlines what you agreed to and what you did not.

3. It's also very important to think about goals you have for the capabilities and skills you want to develop over the year.  These can often be overlooked but they’re such an important part of your overall success.

Review Your Goals Regularly

Reflect on your goals and achievements.

Make sure your goals are present for you, for instance saved on your desktop or prominently displayed in your workspace.  By having them visibly available, you’ll absorb them subliminally as well as being able to consciously review them.

Develop a positive relationship with your goals and love them if you can!  If you can get excited about them, you’ll feel a much greater joy when you achieve them.

Schedule time in your calendar to review your goals and record your achievements on a regular basis. This could be monthly or weekly depending on what you need.  

Record Your Achievements

It’s easy to forget major achievements once they’ve happened because there’s always the next project to focus on so think about the things you want to shout about at your next review.  What did you learn?  How did you show up?  This is a key part of your personal development and how you demonstrate the skills you developed, such as leadership and communication.

A great way to keep track of your successes is to use your weekly plan of action to record the completion of key tasks. For instance, as a C-suite leader, you might have a strategic goal to launch a new business initiative. This could involve sub-tasks such as securing board approval, aligning key stakeholders, finalising budget allocation, and overseeing the communication plan. Once each of these steps is completed, documenting them not only highlights your progress but also serves as a concrete reference point during quarterly reviews or performance evaluations, showcasing your leadership and the tangible impact of your decisions.

Celebrate Your Successes

Celebrate with a sweet treat

When you have the space to reflect on what you’ve achieved, remember to celebrate your successes.  All too often we skate over this part and don’t take the time to revel in our hard work.  Taking some time to enjoy those great feelings of accomplishment and satisfaction will keep you motivated through the tough days.

I like to give myself a reward when I’ve achieved something notable even if it’s just a sweet treat. Take a break and celebrate your achievement before you get back to work.

Plan Ahead

I’m a real planner, mainly because it takes the stress out of my life.  I’ve also found that when you have a plan, all you have to do is execute it.  I know that life happens and things can go awry but re-planning around problems is a whole lot less stressful than figuring your way out of total chaos.

My top tips are:

1. Chart your course so that you know the direction in which you need to travel and manage issues as they arise.

2. Manifest your goals by imagining the end result.  See yourself having already achieved it.

3. Take action every day towards your goals - each single step is a step closer to what you want.  

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