How to Set Your Personal Goals

 

 The podcast episode of this post is available at Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts and Spotify.

 

So, what is the one thing I recommend you do to set your personal goals for a change initiative when you are short of time?

 

DO THIS

Pick three goals: one skill goal, one behaviour goal and one relationship goal.

 

BY DOING THIS

• Select your three goals.

• Define what success looks like for each one.

• Track your progress.

An institutional change project provides real opportunities for personal growth because it’s dynamic, complex and involves people at all levels and areas of an organization. Without personal goals, you’re more likely to focus on completing tasks with little thought to increasing your abilities.

One of the first things you should do after joining a project is to decide how you want the experience to benefit you: how will you grow? The three areas of development I have listed are the ones that will give you the highest return: skills (what you do well), behaviours (how you act toward others) and relationships (a connection you share with someone). Knowledge (what you know) is the fourth, but I recommend you focus on the first three for now.

Skills, behaviours and the ability to connect with others are types of leadership capability. Telling the story about how you achieved all three is part of your career leadership narrative. To create that narrative, write down a goal for each category and what success looks like for each. Then track your progress over the project. Your notes will give you the depth you need to make your story detailed, fact-based and compelling.

 

KNOWLEDGE BITES

 

GOAL TRACKER TOOL: What are my personal goals for this change initiative?

 

SUCCESS TIP

Post your goals where they’re visible (e.g., screen, calendar, journal) so they stay top-of-mind.