What does a Good Goal look like?

It’s time to turn the page on 2021 and attack 2022 with a renewed sense of purpose and inspiration.

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 how to establish goals that will stick and become part of who you are, not just what you do.

So, what does a good Goal look like? Here are a few thoughts on what effective goals might look like:
1) They are written – Studies have shown that people who write down their goals are ten times more likely to achieve them!
2) They are both outcome AND habit/process-based – Focus on the process and the results will take care of themselves is probably something you have heard. Setting a goal to lose 20 pounds is an OUTCOME. 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 goal. You need both
3) They are time-based – ‘How much by when?’ is a coaching question I often ask. Put a date out there to shoot for with your goals
4) They are consistent with your personal mission statement – 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?
5) They stretch you – 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?:
a. Setting a goal to achieve 3 lb weight loss and achieving it, OR
b. 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!!!
6) They are measured and assessed – 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 revised goals for 2022. I can’t wait to see what this year has in store.

To a healthy, successful, and Uncommon 2022!!