New Year – New Goals
We all like beginnings and new goals, don’t we? Some choose their birthday, others in September, as if we were still in school, others on New Year’s Eve.
Especially in recent years, there has been an “epidemic” of setting goals, reflecting on what we have achieved, what we have failed at, creating wish lists for travel and/or experiences, wanting to improve our health – physical and mental, increasing our business’s revenue, changing careers.
How long do these decisions and new goals last?
But at some point, routine or failure forces us to lose our bearings or simply adjust to reality. According to a Forbes Health/One Poll survey , the average goal duration is just 3.74 months. Only 8% of respondents tend to stick to their goals for one month, while 22% for two months, 22% for three months, and 13% for four months.
But this practice, especially for us entrepreneurs, is not the most effective.
So how do we set goals? Professional or personal goals that we can follow for more than 4 months?
How do I achieve my goals?
Professional goals using the SMART tool
One of the most useful tools we use in Coaching is SMART.
SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-Bound and was first used by George T. Doran in the article “There’s a SMART way to write management’s goals and objectives” in issue 70 of Management Review in November 1981.
Since then, this tool has been used in many areas of business management and organization. Especially in Coaching, both in Business and Career, this tool helps us measure successful results, or those that need to be re-evaluated.
SMART – Set “smart” goals
Specific – We set specific goals
Let’s say we have a business idea and want to start our own business. One of the goals we should set is to create a comprehensive business plan. To achieve this goal, we need to break it down into smaller, more specific goals. The more specific our goals are, the more likely we are to achieve them. This is because specific goals help us focus on what is most important.
Measurable – The goal must be measurable.
A goal should be measurable so that we can evaluate our progress and know if we have achieved it. For example, if our goal is to increase our sales, we should set a specific percentage increase, such as 50%. This way, we will be able to track our progress and know if we are on the right track.
Achievable – The goal we set must be achievable
A goal must be achievable so that we can achieve it. By setting unattainable goals, we often become discouraged and give up. Being ambitious, especially in business, is the driving force, but we should set goals that we can achieve based on our own capabilities and available resources.
Realistic – Our goal should be realistic
Our goals should be realistic and achievable. Let’s say we want to start our own business, opening a tourist accommodation. If we want to do everything ourselves, from promotion to cleaning, we should consider whether this is realistic. Will we have enough time and energy to cope with all the demands? Do we have the necessary qualifications and knowledge?
Time-Bound – The goal must be time-bound
A specific schedule helps us stay consistent. Usually, when we have a specific deadline, we are forced to take action.
The SMART tool as a practical application in Business Coaching sessions
Several coachees have confided in me that although they were familiar with the SMART tool, they were not able to use it successfully. This is because they only knew these tools on a theoretical level, while during the conferences they are personalized and applied in practice.
The necessity of working with a qualified Business Coach arises from the need for customized guidance and placement of tools in a practical and professional context.
A qualified Coach can help the partner understand how the SMART tool can be adapted and integrated into their own professional challenges.
The Business Coach does not just provide knowledge, but creates a collaborative environment where the coachee discovers how to incorporate SMART goals into everyday life and the achievement of her professional ambitions.
Working with a Business Coach is not simply optional, but is essential for the effective use of the SMART tool.
Call now and book your spot for the Business Coaching sessions that will help you achieve your goals for 2024!
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