Trusted Advisors Set Clear Goals

Planning encompasses defining your work objectives or goals, establishing an overall strategy for achieving these goals and developing a comprehensive hierarchy of plans to integrate and coordinate activities.

It is concerned, then, with ends (what is to be done) as well as with means (how it is to be done).

Goals and objectives are intentions and contain descriptions of situations or conditions that are to be achieved within a specific period of time. They contain a clear indication of what we want to achieve and how to go about it. It is important to write down our goals and objectives as well as to develop a well set-out plan detailing how we intend to realise them. This will enable us to experience a measure of accomplishment now for goals that will only be fully realized in the future. Such a process will stimulate action and will keep us motivated, leading to unbelievable results.

Plan for Success

Follow the following steps in ensuring your success:

Step One: Determine your vision for your job. In determining your vision, pay close attention to your core purpose. Focus on things that will have the greatest impact. Determine very clearly what you hope to achieve.

Step Two: With regards to your vision. Establish goals that are stated in measurable, focused terms. Ensure that these are SMARTER. In other words, define clearly what successes you wish to achieve, eg grow your customer base with three new customers per month.

A well-formulated objective statement is:

Specific – it clearly states the desired outcome

Measurable – the objective must be quantified in order to be measurable

Achievable – it falls in the realm of the possible and can, realistically, be attained

Results-oriented - through taking specific actions outcomes can be realized

Time-bound - it contains a clear deadline

Exciting - the objective must excite participants

Recognised - objectives must grow from a process of participation and must be in line with the vision, motivators and purpose (individual/organizational)

Step Three: Determine the tasks through which the stated goals will be achieved. Tasks should be concrete, measurable actions that must be affected at a specific, stated time.

Step Four: Establish priorities for the required tasks. Some tasks have to be completed before others can commence, which calls for priorities that will determine the order in which tasks must be completed as well as by what date.

Step Five: Finally, it is necessary to follow up, assess and check to determine if you are making progress.

Click here to view a video that explains setting goals and being successful.