Goals, Goals, Goals!
Can we have goals in 2021? And if so, can they be considered S.M.A.R.T?
If I’m being honest, it’s been hard to set goals right now, in COVID. My brain pushes back, and my mind wants to scream!
But WHY?
I am extremely goal centered. At 8 years old I set a goal to move from Fresno, CA to San Diego, CA, because it was the place of my favorite family vacation. When I turned 20, I packed one suite case and moved to San Diego, CA. I’ve been here for 16+ years – you do the math.
My point is I am use to setting goals and achieving them. Then COVID hit and rocked my world along with the rest of us. And I felt out of control – and I was. But finally, after months, almost a year of feeling overwhelmed, I decided to change my picture. I began by grabbing my planner and changing my goals!
I am building out my business in different ways to allow for meaningful growth. I am automating systems, giving more virtual trainings, and focusing on quality business over quantity. I am here to help my business community, clients, and family.
So, back to S.M.A.R.T goals…
S – Specific
M – Measurable
A – Attainable
R – Relevant
T – Time-Based
Here’s a link to an article from Indeed.com with great examples: S.M.A.R.T
Relevant & Time-Based
I want to claim Relevant and Time-Based as the two to focus on for the most impact.
Relevant at this time means, how will this help in the time and space we occupy? Stop thinking of when COVID is over and start thinking of how to impact today. What that means is a shift in what the current goal is for our career and/or business. What makes sense? What can we achieve today, next week, next month, etc.
Second Time-Based, split time into two portions. One, current impact. Two, future impact. BUILD, BUILD, BUILD. How can we get our career/business aligned now so when we get back to “normal” we can go full force with the ‘push’ of a button?
Write It Down
In the first section of my planner is a place for setting goals. As I reviewed my planner from 2020, I realized most of my goals were met in different ways than I anticipated. I used those accomplishments to plan for 2021.
- I readjusted my timelines and allowed for the unexpected to happen. If 2020 taught us anything, it’s have a B and C plan to get to our goals. For example, I wanted this blog to be completed the first week of January – well here we are in February. But the quality is better, and I have more to say – win/win!
- Look at what you accomplished last year and build. What can you do this year to take an accomplishment one step further?
- Is there something you can do now that will help you prepare for next year?
- Are your career documents in place, i.e., resume, professional bio, cover letter?
- Are your personal skills in place, i.e., interviewing, zoom, phone skills?
- Are your online branding platforms in place, i.e., LinkedIn, FB, Instagram, Website?
My goals are set with the following in mind – I have two boys under six, one is hybrid (two hours on campus 4-days a week, one day virtual) and the other is in preschool. And this changes as schools open and close. The well-being of my family comes first and I have to be there for them emotionally. I also need to make space for self-care in the form of reading and exercising to keep my sanity. Now, what goals can I fit in the will drive my business forward? How can I connect with my clients while running my household?
My main goal is AUTOMATION. And I will have more to share on this in the coming weeks. In the meantime, find something to connect with that let’s you unwind.
Find ways for self-improvement. At the beginning of this I thought it was crazy that people were able to grow professionally. Now, one of my goals is to read one professional and one personal book per month. So far, I’ve managed to hit my goals. Last night I read 100 pages of a historical fiction. Yeah!
Until Next Tuesday…
Oh, and I’m on the hunt for a great professional book for March. Let me know of a GREAT BOOK in the comments!
Laura Bashore is the founder of Anew Resume and Career Services. As a Career Coach, Resume Writer, and LinkedIn Pro she empowers business professionals with the knowledge, tools, and methods to expand their career opportunities.
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