3 Strategies for Setting and Achieving Goals
New year, new goals. There's a natural tendency to reflect and set new objectives as we welcome a new year. This period of new beginnings calls for clarity on where to direct our energy and efforts.
How do you identify and achieve what truly matters?
Get ahead in the new year with my three-step approach to goal-setting: Define, Prioritize, Action. Enhance your productivity, make meaningful decisions, and lead with clarity.
Here’s how.
The key is in not spending time, but in investing it. - Stephen R. Covey
Step 1: Define Your Goals
Want to start your path to promotion? To land a new job? To start working on your side hustle?
Whatever your aspirations, start by defining it and writing it down. People who write their goals are 1.2X to 1.4X more likely to achieve them.
Here’s the setup: [1] start broad + [2] add detail + [3] set deadline.
Examples
Note: Digitally documenting your goals is also effective. However, studies indicate that physically writing them down on paper enhances information retention – a double benefit!
If, like me, you're inclined towards handwriting, blank notebooks can be very inspiring. Some of my favorites include Moleskin Classic, Rhodia Wirebound, Oxford Composition.
Pro tip: Curious about breaking into a new industry or searching for your next career move? Here’s the playbook for how I made the leap from management consulting to the tech sector.
Where we spend our time determines what we achieve
Step 2: Prioritize Your Goals
Next, evaluate your current time allocation, then decide which projects you take on. I use the Eisenhower framework to sort initiatives based on their urgency and importance.
Use the framework for both prioritizing tasks and delegating effectively.
Consider the question "What is my North Star?”, your core values, when evaluating each project or task.
This level of introspection ensures your efforts align with your fundamental values and principles.
Pro tips
Read: Start with Why for deeper understanding of your goals and motivations.
Read: The Book of Joy to inspire your quest for your North Star. One of my absolute favorite books where The Dalai Lama and Archbishop Tutu share their wisdom on maintaining joy amidst adversity.
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Step 3: Take Action
Perfectionism and lack of focus are two common barriers to progress.
The biggest barrier to achieving goals is worrying about the perfect outcome. Focus less on perfection and more on progress.
What incremental steps can you take to advance toward your goal?
An effective and fun way to overcome this hurdle is to share your goals with others. Find accountability partners. Keep track of your progress together. This can help you stay motivated and move closer towards achieving your objectives.
If focus is an issue, the Pomodoro Technique can be a game changer. This method involves concentrated work intervals followed by brief breaks. The idea is to encourage productive and focused work sessions. Customize the timing to suit your individual work style. For instance, I find 25 minutes of concentrated work followed by 5-minute breaks most effective. I adjust this based on the type of work I need to complete.
Have fun and make it work for you!
Pro tips
Read: Atomic Habits to learn about building good habits.
Experiment: with the Productivity Planner. I used it for one quarter and successfully built an effective productivity habit.
The new year represents new beginnings. Approach yours with strategic intent. Whatever your goals may be, the act of defining, prioritizing, and taking action sets the foundation for converting your goals into reality.
Cheers to a 2024 brimming with all that you aspire to achieve.
Read widely, learn deeply, be On Point.
Joselle
joselle@berightonpoint.com
PS. Thank you for your continued support and engagement. Your dedication to growth not only inspires my writing but also fuels our collective journey towards greater achievements and fulfillment.
I founded On Point from a place of gratitude; to pay it forward in honor of the numerous mentors and sponsors who have championed me throughout my career.
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