It’s time to turn the page on 2021 and attack 2022 with a renewed sense of purpose and inspiration. In the December 17 edition of the Champions Brew, I outlined a 5-step end of year reflection process. If you haven’t read that one yet, you may want to go back and read through that one before diving into this edition.
After reflecting on what went well and what could have gone better in 2021, the next important step is to establish new and challenging goals for 2022. Notice I am not calling these “New Year’s Resolutions”. Uncommon leaders know to be successful that goal setting is a regular part of the success journey and don’t necessarily need to make ‘resolutions’. One of the books I am reading this year that I have truly enjoyed is Success is Not an Accident, by Tommy Newberry. In this book, he devotes an entire chapter to Goal setting and I wanted to share a few of the challenges to goal setting as well as how to establish goals that will stick and become part of who you are, not just what you do.
What are the barriers to Goal Setting? The author outlines seven “Psychological Blocks” that prevent people from setting goals. Do you ‘suffer’ from any of these barriers?
- Fear of criticism – Has this ever happened to you? Often this ‘criticism’ is disguised as ‘help’ in the form of helping us not to get our hopes up. Don’t fall for that limiting belief!
- Don’t know how – I will give you some steps below for this barrier.
- Don’t realize the importance of goals – Be aware of those you invest your time with. Do they have goals? If not, chances are you may not find goals important either.
- Experience the ‘curse’ of early success – This is another trick your mind can play on you. Early success can give you a false sense of security. Don’t fall for it. When I graduated from college, I thought to myself, “If I just can make ‘this’ annual salary, I will be successful.” I got to that number at 26 years old. I am glad I didn’t consider myself ‘there’. I had a lot of room (and still do) to grow personally, professionally, spiritually, etc.
- Fear of failure – Ugh… I can remember relying on this barrier early in my leadership journey
- Fear of success – I have to admit, society has a way of shaming those who are successful and want to grow and succeed. The Bible is clear that God loves EXCELLENCE… and Excellence only happens on Purpose!! – Choose Excellence
- Accepting personal responsibility for their lives! – This one is powerful folks. We have to take personal responsibility for achieving our goals and stop placing blame on anyone else but ourselves.
So, what does a good Goal look like? Here are a few thoughts on what effective goals might look like:
- Studies have shown that people who write down their goals are ten times more likely to achieve them!
- Focus on the process and the results will take care of themselves is probably something you have heard before. It is true! Setting a goal to lose 20 pounds is a ‘result’ or an outcome goal. An outcome of what, though? Hard work, right? Measure the hard work as well… Exercising three times a week at the gym is a habit-based or process goal. You need both types of goals.
- ‘How much by when?’ is a coaching question I often ask. Put a date out there to shoot for with your goals. For example, “I will achieve my certification by June 30, 2022”.
- Maybe one of your goals needs to be to write a personal mission statement. Your goals should have an impact on who you want to become? Ask yourself if achieving the goal will move you closer to being Uncommon?
- Don’t set goals you ‘know’ you can attain. Set BIGGER goals than you may be able to achieve. There is a fine line between stretch and outrageous that can be de-motivating, but a challenging/stretch goal will force you to get our of your comfort zone and think differently. Sticking with the health analogy. Which is better?:
- Setting a goal to achieve 3 lb weight loss and achieving it? OR
- Setting a goal to achieve 25 lb weight loss and ‘only’ getting to 20? No doubt you had to think and act differently to achieve the 20! It’s a WIN!!!
- You should create a scorecard or a tracker that you have a chance to assess your progress each month allowing you to course correct when needed or CELEBRATE success. What you measure, you control… what you don’t measure, you accept!
I hope this helps you to get started for a successful 2022. I know I am investing some time between Christmas and New Year’s to set new and/or revised goals for 2022. I can’t wait to see what this year has in store.
It is my hope that the Champions Brew has become part of your weekly reading routine and it adds value to your life. If there are any other topics you would like me to add in 2022, please drop me an email at [email protected]. I like hearing from you.
To a healthy, successful, and Uncommon 2022!!
What you need to do:
Call to Action: Do you have your goals set for 2022? I encourage you to write your goals down. Need someone to help hold you accountable to those goals? Share them with me at [email protected]. We can discuss how Growing Champions can support you on your leadership journey!
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The Champion’s Brew is a weekly assembly of material I am reading, listening to, or watching that I have found intriguing and may help to equip and call you to uncommon leadership. I often add my own little spin based on my takeaways and would love your input as well. Any of the points especially impact you? Drop me a note at [email protected], or comment on the blog to keep the conversation going! I believe you will discover that the format is not only useful, but also that you can consume it within the time it takes you to enjoy your daily ‘brew’! Become a member of the Champions Brew Nation by subscribing here!!
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Until next time, go and Grow Champions!
