Servant leaders are passionate about building performance and personal development. This won’t just naturally happen; instead it takes a significant amount of intention. I have found there are a few keys to building a development plan that have worked for me, and my coaching clients, that if followed will add to the level of success that you enjoy in the upcoming year.
Every December I set my goals to plan for Building Performance to Another Level in all key areas of responsibility in my life.
The first key to a successful goal plan is having a mindset that status quo is not OK! Couple this with a belief that the only way to achieve consistent & measureable improvement is careful planning. Too often goal planning is thought of as unnecessary busy work, when in reality it is an exciting time of the year and critically important to building performance.
The second key is that your goals should be in alignment with your purpose. If your goals move you towards your purpose, you will find yourself far more passionate about completing them. They will have specific meaning and will make a true difference in your life. They will advance your “Why!”
The third key is that your goals should be driven by your vision for what you want to create in each of the areas of responsibility for your life. They will move you towards your “What!” The areas of responsibility of my life that I want to drive improvement in every year are: Spirituality, Career, Health / Fitness, Family / Relationships. I envision a picture of what I want to create in each of these areas and then create goals to make that vision a reality.
The fourth key is to write S.M.A.R.T. Goals. Documenting your goals in writing adds significantly to the odds of success. Then making sure they are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Results-focused, and Time-based, ensures crystal clear understanding of what success looks like.
The last key to successfully completing your goals is to build an accountability system. Driving improvement is not easy! I find it imperative to share my goals with accountability partners to ensure that more people than just myself are connected with the achievement of these goals. I hire a coach, as well as utilize trusted friends and family to hold me accountable for the goals that I commit to each year.
Bonus: Develop one major stretch goal that if completed will change the game in a major way towards the advancement of your purpose and achievement of your vision.
To model the way on this goal setting process, I would like to share my one stretch goal for 2015 and ask all of you to hold me accountable for its completion.
- Complete the manuscript and book proposal for a book on servant leadership. This will enhance my ability to spread the message and advance the momentum for a servant leader movement across the globe.
- Complete book proposal – 2/1/15
- Send to prospective agents – 2/15/15
- Write 3 chapters per week – 1/1/15 – 3/1/15.
I encourage all of you to formalize your goals for 2015 to ensure that you continue to advance your purpose and move towards the achievement of your vision for your life.
Mark
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14
Everything you’ve said here is geared to assuring success in the year ahead. I have several stretch goals in a year because I work on one, and another when it’s time for another challenge. One thing I have not so far managed to find is an accountability partner. I guess that should be my first goal. I like the idea of writing the dates. I like having a target date and then try my best to beat it. I haven’t tried that for personal goals before. You’ve given me incentive to do that.
Jane, I think you will find that having an accountability partner will greatly enhance the level of achievement of your picture of the future that you want to create through the accomplishment your goals. Are you looking for volunteers? I know where you might find one!
Mark, in fact yes I am looking for a volunteer. I can’t count the number of times in the past 20 years that I have joined a group and signed up for an accountability partner or mentor and not once has it ever materialized. So yes. I’m still looking.
Love the alignment piece! Was just speaking to a team in Minneapolis about how value alignment actually increases performance. Aligning companies values to crafting a vision. Aligning personal “brands” to company “brands”. Amazing principles and truths to be discovered when taking a deep dive into driving alignment! Thanks Mark!
Tyler, you are so right on. Using purpose and values to drive alignment in all you do will serve you in every aspect of a person’s personal and professional life. Awesome! Hope you and your family have a very Blessed Christmas!!
Thank you, Mark, for all the good advice here. It’s at once both practical and inspiring. In regards to goals, in addition to SMART goals to help me do more I also use RICH goals to help me be more – Is what I do and how I do it Right, Influential, Challenging and Heart-thumping? I look forward to your new book!
Thanks for the feedback Daniel. Wow, I love your focus on RICH Goals to help you “Be” more. That is awesome! I appreciate you sharing that. Just added it to my regime and thoughts when working on goals. Thanks so much!!