2020 has been a trying and tumultuous year, to say the least. Perhaps we should all congratulate ourselves on getting through it. Now it’s time to look ahead to 2021 and think about what we want to accomplish next year. Especially in tough times such as these, we need to set goals for ourselves to give us purpose and direction.
And the best way to set goals is by using the SMART model. SMART stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and timely. These are the traits goals should have.
Specific means something concrete – you know when you have reached your goal. Measurable means you have a way of assessing progress toward your goal. Achievable means your goal is something within your reach, not a pipe dream. You can begin to take steps toward it immediately. Relevant means it is something that matters to you. It is important. Finally, timely means your goal is something you can accomplish within a reasonable amount of time.
When you create a goal, write it down. This gives it substance, makes it real and injects a measure of accountability into your deliberations. Also, be careful that you don’t make too many goals and spread yourself too thin. You should have just a few goals so that you can devote more time and effort to them.
You should have work goals and goals for your personal life. Some goals might overlap between the two.
Work Goals
What are some useful work goals, aspirations that will help you to move ahead in your career and improve your performance?
One example is improving your time management, another is becoming more resilient, another is becoming a better listener. Other goals include things like improving your soft skills, reading more, learning new skills, becoming a better public speaker, and meeting new people. It is important to note that none of these goals as listed have been subjected to the SMART process, They are all pretty vague and general and need to be refined.
Personal Goals
Some examples of personal goals to help improve your quality of life include getting more exercise, beginning a meditation program, eating a healthier diet, reading more books, learning something new, and taking up a new hobby.
There is a process for achieving goals. The first step is deciding on a goal using the SMART model. Then you need to develop an action plan for how you are going to achieve your goal, a step-by-step outline. You need to record progress toward your goal. You should also review your plan frequently to determine how well it is working or if you need to make changes.
Looking for work?
If you are looking for work, Opti Staffing is here for you — ready, willing and able to put you into a new career. We know what it takes to put people to work. We take the time to learn all about you, so we can help you find success finding new opportunities or new employees. Give your local branch a call today.
