Monday 16 July, 2012
Are you affected by bright shiny objects? If so, you’re not
alone. Most people have a strong idea of what they are after and then as
they set off toward their goal, they get distracted, if not completely
side-tracked. So how do you stay on track? How do you remain focussed on
what you are really after?
Five key elements of being a goal getter
- Understand what your goal is and write it down
It's good to take action, but it needs to be relevant to what you're after. Knowing it is a great start but it is not enough. Have clarity about it too. "Increase sales" is very different to "Sales in the meals area of $3 million". Place the written goal somewhere where you can see it daily. This assists in minimising the impact of the bright shiny objects!
- Know the WHY behind the goal
A goal on its own is not enough of a driver. The goal won't speak to you as strongly as the 'Why' behind the goal. That is where the emotion is and where your commitment and drive will come from.
For example, "To have a million dollars by the time I'm 40" will not drive you as much as "Have paid off investments worth one million dollars by the time I am 40 so I can retire at 50". The 'Why' will get you out of bed in the morning when you don't really want to go. The stronger the 'Why' the more likely you will be to achieve the goal.
- Take daily action towards your goal
This is the key difference between a goal getter and a goal setter. Goal setters write lists of goals and then wait for them to magically appear. Goal getters take at least one piece of action each day to bring them closer to their goal.
The one step may be to register for next year's Leadership Conference as you work towards a senior leadership position. It could be to smile more and show gratitude to your staff as you work towards having a preferred place of employment. Whatever it is, you need to take daily action towards your goal and maintain your focus on the bigger picture.
- Celebrate success
If you can make celebrating success a habit, then success becomes a habit. It doesn't have to be for major successes either. It can be that small thing you have achieved that you acknowledge. Maybe you got to the first checkpoint of a project or maybe you successfully gave up sugar for the day. Larger events such as promotions, bonuses, engagements and building openings need celebration too.
Whatever your achievement is, be sure to celebrate with the appropriate size celebration. Why not create a 'Celebration shopping list' and match the celebrations to your current to do list?
- Be accountable
In the same way that it's easier to exercise when you have made arrangements to meet a friend at the gym or on the corner first thing in the morning, it's easier to achieve your goal when you are accountable for it. You may choose to commit to certain checkpoints and share them with your accountability partner. The accountability partner's role is to check if you have met your commitment and not judge you if you have or have not met that commitment.
Use your colleagues, leader, partner, friends or even coach as an accountability partner. You will be surprised how powerful it is to share your goal with someone and have accountability checkpoints to meet. It is far more powerful than simply stating "one day I'd really like to ...".
Source:ceoonline.com
No comments:
Post a Comment