EP131: How to ACTUALLY Accomplish Your Goals
WHAT YOU DO AFTER YOU WRITE THE SMART GOAL
The execution and overcoming the barriers are what matter most.
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(The notes below are only a brief bullet point summary of what is discussed in the podcast. Be sure to listen to get all of the goodness! If you would like a full transcription of the episode, please send an email request to: angie@angie-robinson.com. We’d be happy to provide that!)
In this post, we’re diving into a topic that's crucial for anyone, leader or not: how to actually accomplish your goals. Whether you're navigating the corporate world or striving for personal achievements, goal-setting is a fundamental part of our vernacular. Let's go beyond just setting goals and explore how to truly achieve them.
Goals are a staple in both our professional and personal lives. In organizations, goals often align with fiscal or calendar years and may align with performance appraisals. A popular method for effective goal-setting is the SMART framework, ensuring goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. However, the real challenge is in the execution. It's during the execution phase that all kinds of obstacles, both expected and not known, can pop up.
Tips, Strategies and Principles
Here are tips and considerations that will help you actually reach your goals:
Set the Goal. The first step in any goal achievement journey is to set the goal itself. Using an example from my own life, I decided in January 2020 to complete a 5k every week for the entire year. I did this simply because someone I follow was doing it, and I thought “Hey! I can do that!”.
But it’s more than just setting the goal. You really need to understand your 'why'. Why do you want to achieve this? For me, it was about proving to myself that I could maintain consistency. Once you are clear on your 'why', make a firm decision to commit to your goal. Ask yourself how committed you are on a scale of 1-10. If your commitment level isn’t a 10 – ask yourself why? What will it take to get from your current number to a 10?
Break Down Big Goals into Smaller Goals. Identify smaller, manageable goals that feed into your bigger goal. For me, instead of being overwhelmed by the thought of 52 5ks, I concentrated on one 5k each week. This micro-focus made the larger goal less daunting and more attainable.
Prepare. Preparing the things that you know from the get-go is key. This is both tangible things and intangible….like mindset and thought management. For my running goal, I needed good running shoes, a motivating playlist, and an app to track my progress. Equally important is preparing mentally by understanding your current beliefs about yourself and the goal. If there are unhelpful thoughts milling about – you need to work on those so they don’t get in the way later.
Visualize Your Future Self. Really describe the future version of you who has reached the goal. What are they doing? How are they feeling? What has changed for them? What thoughts are they thinking? What are people saying about them? What are they saying about themselves? And what would they tell you in the times that you want to give up, get distracted, or veer too far?
Make Decisions Ahead of Time. Expect obstacles—both predicted and unexpected. When you think through all of the potential barriers and decide how you will overcome them if they ever happen – you will be more likely to actually do just that.
Overcome the Unexpected. We can’t think of everything might show up. So – when they do, allow yourself to pause and decide how you might reroute or pivot. And when you do that – be sure you like your reasons.
Give Yourself Grace. It's essential to extend grace to yourself. Life happens, and sometimes goals must be paused or adjusted. If justified events prevent you from sticking to your plan, give yourself permission to adapt without self-criticism. If you beat yourself up – you will be more likely to jump ship on the goal.
Track Progress. Regularly track your progress. Logging each weekly 5k, noting the date, location, and time, helped me remain accountable and reflective. Recognizing both accomplishments and mishaps provides invaluable insights for the what’s next.
Get Support. Support systems are invaluable. Whether it’s family, friends, or a like-minded community, having people who understand and encourage your journey is so helpful.
Celebrate the Byproducts. Achieving goals often leads to unexpected positive byproducts. For instance, my commitment inspired several friends to join me, resulting in a supportive and motivating community. Demonstrating perseverance not only affirms your abilities but can also inspire and influence others around you.
Applying These Concepts to Your Leadership / Professional Goals
All of these principles apply to your leadership and professional goals too. Say, for example, your goal is to get promoted by the year-end. Break it down into smaller goals like seeking mentor relationships or enhancing your skills in a specific area. Visualize your future self in that promoted role, prepare for potential obstacles, and seek necessary support and training.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, these insights and strategies will help you accomplish your goals! Whether they're personal ambitions or professional milestones, taking these steps can lead you toward meaningful progress.
What Do You Think?
Which of these principles resonate most with you?
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