Be inspired to set effective goals in 2020 – thanks to these questions

Talking with readers about our previous controversial post, many are still inspired to set effective goals for 2020.

The word that matters most in that sentence, is ‘inspired’. What seems to make the difference between those for whom goals work, is personal relevance & inspiration. Across a year there will be setbacks (foreseeable & unexpected). You need goals that clearly connect to a personal “Why?” for you as a leader.

So, I am delighted to welcome back guest blogger Kevin Watson, to quickly share how he helps his clients. Kevin is a very experienced leadership coach & founder of My Own Coach. In this post, he tackles how to set goals that excite or inspire you. Over to Kevin…

It’s time to discover new year goals that inspire

As the memory of Christmas fades, it’s time to think about your new year goals. I can’t believe how fast the holiday has gone, so if you haven’t stopped to think about your new year goals, now is the time to do it.

The time you take to pause and take stock of the previous twelve months can be really beneficial.

Having acknowledged what you achieved in the past year, setting your sights on your dreams for the future can help bring clarity to your goals, creating momentum towards achieving them.

“The new year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written. We can help write that story by setting goals.”

Melody Beattie

It’s all in the question you ask

I’d like to share a few questions I’ve used when coaching leaders that may help with your reflections on last year and in setting your new year goals:

• What did you accomplish in the last year?
• What specifically made a difference in accomplishing these?
• What were your disappointments?
• What are the top 3 lessons learned? TIP: Write these as a set of guidelines for the future
• How did you limit yourself?
• What can you possibly do differently to break free from these limits this year?
• What are your top goals for this year?
• Why are these important to you?
• What values and qualities do you wish to express more in the coming year?
• What are you excited about and looking forward to in terms of your development?

“Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.”

Phil Crosby

Become inspired – a call to action

Make some time to reflect on these questions, then record your answers and your new year goals in a way that works for you.

For some, this may be in a notebook or journal that you can keep and refer to throughout the year. For others, who wish to be more creative, have a go at creating a mind-map or mood-board.

Whichever way you choose, make sure you refer to it throughout the year. Most of all, have fun with it!

How are you inspired to set effective goals?

Thanks for that post & sharing your resources, Kevin. I think his post nicely faces up to Tony’s challenges & helps leaders set more flexible & relevant goals for their year. I have certainly seen mind maps & incisive questioning helps my coaching clients too.

What about you? How do you sit in this annual goals debate? are you taking time out to reflect, be inspired by your story & follow Kevin’s advice? Or, are you ditching goal setting as “so 2018” to borrow Tony’s phrase?

We’d love to hear. To encourage a conversation about how leaders can go about setting more inspired and motivating goals for them & their teams.