Is it just me or does each year seem to pass quicker and quicker. At the same time, the communications world is getting more competitive. Staying ahead takes skill, knowledge of a global marketplace, and expertise with new social media. Add a dash of persistence, sweetened with unfailing optimism, and you have a recipe for success.
But let’s take a step back. One of the keys to achieving everything that you want out of your life is to set goals … both professionally and personally. When was the last time you set goals for yourself? Have you set a plan for 2009?
The start of the second quarter of 2009 is already upon us. If you haven’t already, you should be taking some time to look at where you have been and where you want to go. Remember to consider how the economy has changed your role, whether you’re up to date on technology and if you have considered the growing role social media will play in your role as a communicator. You should also take some time to reflect how public affairs and government is influencing your job and your corporation, while examining the importance investor audiences could play in the future.
Before you get started it helps to know a few important definitions.
- Goal: Something that you want to achieve, to have or to be. It’s something that directs your day journey and guides you towards your vision for the future.
- Vision: A future state of being (ideal view of your future).
Goals and visions are first cousins. Both are generally characterized by the silent echo of someday … but here’s the reality: if you write down your goals and your vision, you are taking a positive first step towards making them a reality.
Goals are most effective when:
- They are written down. Studies show that simply writing out the goals greatly improves the chances of realizing them.
- They are dated. It sets the clock.
- They have specific and measurable milestones and tactics.
- Have timelines for completion.
If Success is a Game, you need to know the rules to win. The first rule is: be SMART. Smart goals are:
- S Specific – you are able to describe exactly what you want to achieve quarterly and yearly.
- M Measurable – you will know when you have achieved your goal and can monitor the steps along the way. Journal the steps. Start with little things and then work on bigger steps.
- A Attainable – you own the goal, it is something that you want to and will achieve. Adopt a positive attitude: “if it is to be, it is up to me”.
- R Realistic – make sure it is possible to do what you are setting for yourself. Unrealistic “pipe dreams” will de-motivate you and derail your plans. That’s not to say that you can’t achieve everything you desire; but remember you have to walk before you can run. Set achievable and realistic baby steps that take you forward towards the larger goals and dreams.
- T Time limit – when you do want to achieve the goal by? Set a date.
Split your goals into four areas:
- Work/Career
- Financial
- Social/Family
- Me – what is important to ‘me’
For each goal area, list 3 or 4 things you would like to achieve in that area of your life in the next three months. Write each thing as a positive statement that is in the present tense … as if you have already achieved it. For example: My top 2 clients X and Y recognize the critical service we deliver and have given us $2,000 a month more for our projects OR I have an extra hour every day to play outside with my kids.
Keep your goals written down in a hard cover journal that you can refer to daily … yes, daily. For every five minutes you spend reviewing your goals, you are training your subconscious to act on them.
The reality is that whatever you focus on, you move toward – so why not focus on what you really want and where you want to go in life. Make your goals work for you. To do this, you need to see each goal as having already been achieved. This is often called visualization. Start by thinking about how achieving that goal makes you feel. This all might sound a little strange but the act of reading goals, seeing yourself complete them, and even visualizing yourself living your vision are all important steps in helping you get there faster … making your dreams become a reality.
Taking some very simple action today can take you a long way towards realizing your goals and dreams for the future. The small investment of time and planning will give you the power to change things about your life or your career that isn’t working.
Success is a journey. Taking the time to goals that you can work towards means you are taking positive steps towards making 2009 your most successful year ever!
Christian Hasse joined the recruitment firm Cramer & Co. – following more than a dozen years of senior public relations experience. His focus is on supporting searches in PR, Communications, Investor Relations, and Public Affairs, and building on his background in journalism and sports PR. He is also an industry guest speaker at various educational institutions and CPRS events.
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