Why Setting goals so important in a transformational change process ?

Setting goals is the first step in a personal or professional transformational process.

People usually set goals on special days or events like birthdays, newyear, moving , marriage, new job … But more often abandon them for conscious or unconscious reasons.

According to recent McKinsey research many organizations find that the goal-setting process takes a huge amount of time and is, frankly, not very effective. However, when done correctly, goal-setting can help improve employee engagement in a way which elevates performance and benefits organizations overall.

Setting goals is important in life. It’s also a key component of many approaches to coaching.

Transformative goal setting taps into deepest desires, exploring core motivations, dreams and highest aspirations. Without a vision which fully engages the imaginations, emotions and will power, even the most well-designed plans won't be enough.

How to set goals

To define your goals you should think of the five W's

• What do you want to achieve?

• Why do you want to achieve it?

• Who will be involved ?

• When do you want to achieve it ?

• Which strategy will help you achieve it ?

To respond to these questions, It’s important to know your fundamental values because your Ideal life and your personal values are interconnected.

Life is always easier when you acknowledge your values and make decisions and plans that honor them.

Values help you make decisions about how to live your life.

Integrity, spirituality, creativity, feeling, achievement … However matters to you , it help you be sure about :

• What career you should choose.

• What life do you want to have?

• Where do you want to live?

• Should you start your own business?

• Should you focus on family or work?

• Should you follow tradition or go down a new path? …

Once you define your values, you should divide them into smaller short term, realistic goals.

How SMART model can help you setting your goals?

Most people have only a general idea of what they want to achieve. The SMART model helps you to be more specific and more efficient about your goals.

SMART refers to : Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and time based.

This five step process gives your goals a better structure and increases the chances of reaching them.

Specific goals means thinking about the five W’s : What? Why ?, Who ?, When ?, Which strategy ?

Measurable goals means knowing when exactly you have accomplished a goal and implementing some way of tracking your progress.

Attainable goals means goals that are easy to reach which will keep you motivated.

Relevant goals means that your goals are aligned with your values and your long term target.

Time based goals means goals with a deadline.

Whatever your goal is, the smart model will make your goal setting process a lot easier and more efficient that way you make sure to stay focused and see results as soon as possible.

Example

You are targeting a job as a mechanical engineer within six months after graduating with a Bachelor degree in mechanical engineering.

• Specific: The goal of becoming a mechanical engineer is well-defined.

• Measurable: Success can be measured by the number of applications, interviews and job offers.

• Achievable: The goal-setter will have the appropriate degree for the job.

• Relevant: The goal-setter is planning to get a job in the mechanical industry after getting an education degree.

• Time-based: The goal-setter has set a deadline to achieve their objective within the six months following graduation.

Some mistakes to be avoided while setting goals.

1 - Not knowing your why

Knowing why you want to achieve something is much more important than knowing what you want to achieve.

2- Not writing your goals down.

writing your goals down turners into something real and physical

3- No action plan.

Better to have a bad plan than no plan. A plan keeps you motivated and keeps your goals not forgotten or ignored.

4- Focusing only on the end result.

Goal setting is about a process more than the end result.