By Tim Conway
Were you perplexed about New Year’s resolutions? If so, you weren’t alone.
According to Forbes Health/OnePoll (October 2023), only 1% of Americans keep resolutions for 12 months.
An alternative to resolutions is goals. This method was used by a family member to guide a fulfilling career over several decades.
My relative composed long-term goals for Personal and Professional topics, such as learning, relationships and physical exercise. To implement, he wrote specific goals on the back of his business card. This step was powerful because his name was printed on the front of the card. Translation: he “owned” every goal.
For young adults, I recommend modifying the technique to center on short-term goals. Reasons: three-month goals are energizing; twentysomethings desire quicker results.
To try this approach, talk with a supervisor and/or clients to understand organizational priorities for first quarter 2024. For further details, check recent executive interviews, earnings reports, speeches, slides, Annual Reports, and Strategic Plans. Also, speak to roommate, friends or life partner to grasp upcoming activities (courses, events, travel).
When you’ve absorbed input, draft “I will …” goals for Professional, Personal, and Pick One (People, Product, Project, Process, Productivity, Performance, Profit). Examples:
PERSONAL
I will arrange one meet-up per month with a colleague or mentor to strengthen bonds.
PROFESSIONAL
I will participate in an industry association (forum, webinar, conference) by February 29.
PICK ONE (PERFORMANCE)
I will sit with boss to choose advanced training (software, presentations) by March 31.
Now you’re ready to list three brief goals on the back of a business card. Put the business card in an easy-to-access place such as wallet, purse or desk; laminate it for durability.
Reflect on progress periodically (beginning of month, with a peer). When you achieve a goal, check it off. However, if you’ve spent minimal time on a goal, delete it (reality: the goal may not be that important to you). Add a goal so you’re always focused on three.
Make sure to recognize extra effort: think about impact of your actions on stakeholders; treat yourself to a favorite item (healthy snack, self-improvement book).
For momentum, repeat every quarter throughout 2024.
Advantages: Through diligence, you can make vital gains; you will have accomplishments to cover during work review; team members might adopt the habit (raise group outcomes).
Long-time friend and former colleague Tim Conway now assists global professionals to juggle tasks to acquire on-the-job contentment. For details: timconway.co; 1-312-523-1448.
Received this direct message from the successful CEO of a financial services firm sharing his routine for achieving goals:
Happy New Year, great article as usual. Keeping it simple is always best. I do something similar where I put it on my reminders app and it pops up every morning while I am drinking coffee. I also convert your suggestion of 3 month goals to daily activity so I have to work on the really important items every day (At least I try to).