Goal setting is integral to success in any endeavor. Instead of relying on the goals set by management and the organization, top performers strive to exceed base targets and engage in personal goal setting to get there. This allows them to consistently achieve greatness and maintain a clear direction for their careers.
Here are some of the tips that we share when talking with people who want to become top performers:
Goals Should Be Challenging, But Achievable
Setting goals that are easily achieved can defeat the purpose of goal setting. The desire to do better should be behind any goals that are set.
Challenging goals should:
a. Present a challenge while still being achievable; unachievable goals can be discouraging rather than encouraging, and don't provide the same benefits that realistic goal setting can.
b. Be aligned with your personal and professional desires; the more involved you are with the goals you set, the more likely you are to achieve them.
c. Reflect the core priorities of your organization; in this way your goal setting can benefit you and your company and lead to recognition and other career benefits.
Goal Setting Should Be As Specific As Possible
Goals that are intangible or unclear are difficult to achieve because even if the goal is reached, there is no way to identify the achievement.
Specific goals include:
a. Goals to reach percentages above previous milestones.
b. Goals to achieve a specific outcome within a set amount of time.
c. Goals to hit highly specific numbers.
Specificity also helps high achievers describe their contributions to the organization in clear terms.
Goals Should Always Include the Steps to Achievement
People commonly fall short of the goals that they set for themselves because the goals they set did not include an outline of how the target outcomes would be reached. Setting goals without including steps to achievement is like trying to drive to an unfamiliar address without directions.
To support success in reaching their goals, top performers tend to create a map of incremental steps describing how the goals will be reached.
Goal Setting Should Be a Constant Process
Goal setting is all about growth, whether that growth is in sales numbers, career achievement, or personal fulfillment. To support that growth, goal setting should be a constant process. High achievers may allow themselves time to celebrate success, but you will always find them setting a new goal once a previous goal is reached. This ensures that goal setting supports constant advancement.
Wherever you are in your career, you can follow the example of how top performers use goal setting to achieve their success to find the same success in your own career.
