1, 2, 3 Steps to really reaching your goals this year

So, you’ve set some goals.

1. Did you write them down?

No? Then stop reading right now and go do that. I'm serious. Goals are exponentially way more effective when documented. Go do it now.

That is only the first step.

2. Do you know why those goals are important AND did you write that down too?

No? Yes? Are you really clear? 

What difference does it make if you loose weight? Get more organized? Complete that course?

If you’ve document a goal, but have not also documented why that goal is important, you will loose sight of that, especially when the going gets tough. Our why helps connect us and ground us to our goal. Our why is often about how we want to feel when we reach the goal. 

I was coaching a client through this process yesterday. She want to be certified in an area of her expertise. Why though? Completing it is one thing. But feeling confident, competent and the feeling a level of security in her job by passing the certification is key.

I have a goal to increase the number of subscribers to my email. My why is because I will be using my full potential to reach more people who really need more peace and balance between their leadership and their life. The goal isn’t solely about me. I have a responsibility to grow other leaders and support them to also feel connected to their lives. That’s my job. It’s a commitment that I don’t take lightly. By connecting my marketing work to real people, it expands the connection and has the work be more meaningful for me. 

3. Do you have a system in place to review your goals regularly?

No? Oh man….we gotta talk!

This is one of the most crucial parts of goal setting. You need a system to come back to regularly reviewing goals, at minimum, weekly. Think about why system you might use. I will give you more on this concept next week.

Bonus – In addition to your goals, do you have some regular questions to review for 2015?

Maybe you have never heard of having questions to review each year. Part of figuring life out is self-reflection. We spend a lot of time trying to achieve things, which is important. But before we know what we want to achieve, we have to get clear on what is important, why it’s important and what we might want to do about it.

By adding a few key questions to your weekly review you will be making space for conscious and intentional self-reflection. 

You might ask yourself:

• What are my triggers? 
  
• What sets me off in meetings? 
  
• When do I resort to emotional eating? 
  
• What are the times things I say yes to when I wish I’d said no.
  

Simply by writing the answers to these questions regularly throughout the year, you will have some powerful insights. They may well inform your goals for 2016 as well.