Forget Resolutions! Here’s How to Set Goals You Can Stick With
The new year is upon us and most of us are thinking about what we’d like to improve in 2018. Whether you’re chasing a dream in life, or dreaming of new chances at work, one of the best ways to get to your goals is to follow the right map to your destination.
It’s not necessary to formalize your own goal-setting process with the kind of methodologies you might use to develop a business strategy at work. But it can help to have a mission—a vision of where you’re headed and what it looks like along the way, so you can make your plan with a purpose.
More than making a wish (which is a desire with no measurement criteria) or a New Year’s Resolution (which is a promise with no details to back it up), setting an achievable goal is like making a plan of action. It’s not only about reaching the “promised land,” it’s about the journey that takes you there.
In the long run, the greatest benefit we receive from pursuing our dreams is not the outer trappings of fulfilling the dream, but who we become in the process.
–Jack Canfield
Jack Canfield, well-known speaker and bestselling author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, recommends a simple, approach for setting specific, measureable goals, which are also known as SMART goals1. You can use it as an effective map for your own goal-setting in personal and professional life, education, hobbies, family and more.
S = Specific
Clearly define your goal, for yourself and so you can share it with others as well. Include details of your desired result. “Get a promotion” is not nearly as clear as “Land the Field Human Resources Leader position.”
M = Measurable
Include numbers, dates and other measures as part of your goal. In this way, “Get promoted to Regional HR Director” might include “and increase my salary by 10% in 2018.”
A = Attainable
Consider how to accomplish your goal within known constraints of time, money and skills. For instance, “Get certificate to qualify for Regional HR Director promotion and 10% salary increase in 2018.”
R = Realistic
Bold goals are admirable, but know your path in life well enough to set realistic goals. Confirm facts like open positions, skills required and education qualifications to ensure your stated goals are possible.
T = Time-Bound
Target dates for completion of goals, as well as smaller steps, are useful: “Register for certificate class in March, to earn Regional HR Director promotion along with related salary increase by October of 2018.”
Two Employee-Students Show Us How It’s Done
We’ve recently learned about two employees who are truly “goal-getters” in life and at work. Both Tiffany and Marco have used their own version of a SMART approach as they’ve stepped on a path of personal and professional achievement.
Tiffany and Marco have chosen to take advantage of their corporate education benefits through their employer’s education partnership with DeVry University. Now they’re back in school, earning their bachelor’s degrees while working full-time.
As full-time working adults, parents and college students, too, these colleagues can teach us a thing or two about setting strong goals and staying the course to achieve them.
Tiffany’s Tips:
“I’ve realized there will never be the ‘perfect” time to go back to school—you need to put yourself first to make this decision, and it’s not selfish.
I have a plan and will keep moving forward. I spent three years as a store manager and then moved to corporate. Now I’m finishing my degree in Technical Management and doing courses online.
Finding time after working a full day can be a challenge, but to overcome it, I set specific schedules and I stick to them. I’ll have the kids do their homework at the same time I do mine.”
–Tiffany, Manager of Store and Field Communications
Marco’s Mindset:
“I made a promise to my mom before she died—I told her I would finish school. That’s a commitment to her, to myself and to my family.
I’ve wanted to get into Human Resources for a long time. I know I need to finish my degree to get there. I’ve chosen a business administration program with a human resources specialization.
I focus on school in the after-work hours, and it does take some of my time away from my four kids. But I told them, I’m working hard for a better future for them. And I have a 4.0 GPA right now to show for it.”
–Marco, Workforce Management Analyst
We hope these words from Tiffany and Marco will inspire you to invest in yourself and explore how a higher education could help you reach your goals in 2018 and beyond! To learn more about the tuition savings, a complimentary course, and other benefits of our corporate education partnership with DeVry University, click here.
1 JackCanfield.com, Powerful Goal-Setting Tips for Creating Your Extraordinary Life, on the internet at http://jackcanfield.com/blog/powerful-goal-setting-tips/ visited November 21, 2017.
This is session 1 of my “Coaching for Success- Building Champion Young People.” Seminar Series for our Local HS in OR. For now it is geared towards Student / athletes. but can for sure be for anyone. As you think about what you want to achieve. Think in terms of RESULTS. not goals. go to next post
If a FB player comes to me. Coach. my goal is to catch 100 passes this season. I will respond. That’s a great result. Now let talk about the goals that will help you achieve that RESULT. We have reverse wired this concept for yrs in sports, business and our personal lives. Seek Excellence. Be Blesse