Goal setting can help to align employees with the goals of the company, as well as improve motivation and ensure that you are happy within your job role.
Tracking goals is a good way of understanding your progress and identifying any issues in the workplace. Setting goals can have numerous benefits for both you and the company as a whole – but how exactly do you set yourself goals? Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of setting goals, and how you can set these goals effectively.
Why Set Goals As An Employee?
Setting goals as an employee is important for both personal and professional development. There are countless benefits to goal-setting, for example, it can ensure you stay motivated in the workplace. Having no goal to work towards can affect the productivity of your work.
Ensuring that you have goals to work towards can not only keep you motivated but enhance your confidence and make you happier in your roles.
Another benefit of setting yourself goals is that it encourages you to focus on your priorities. Employee goal-setting can also allow you to be prepared for progression in the business. Goals can help you identify what you want, where you want to be, and exactly how you can progress in the business.
How Can You Set Goals?
Now that you understand the importance of goal-setting, let’s explore how you can effectively set personal and professional goals that will help you grow and succeed in your career.
1. Set SMART Goals
Setting goals without adhering to the guidelines of SMART goals is far less likely to be effective, so it’s important that you ensure all your goals are SMART.
SMART stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-based. It’s an effective framework for goal-setting and is more likely to produce results.
When setting goals, make sure to stick to goals that are specific and measurable. Vague goals are less likely to produce results, whereas having something specific to work towards can be encouraging and motivating.
Being able to measure a goal can increase the chance of success, and give you something to celebrate when you meet a milestone. An example of a measurable goal in the workplace could be to get to work on time 5 days a week.
It’s also important that your goals are attainable – if your goal is to attend work every single day for a year, then chances are, you won’t reach it.
Having time-based goals can also increase the chances of success – having something to work towards while measuring progress is key to successful goal setting. Using SMART goals ensures that your objectives are actionable and attainable, increasing your chances of success.
2. Break Down Your Goals Into Small, Manageable Ones
Large goals can feel overwhelming, so divide them into smaller, manageable steps. If your goal is to “earn a promotion within a year,” identify the steps to achieve this, such as completing specific projects, taking on leadership responsibilities, or improving a skill set.
Breaking your goals into smaller steps will allow you to feel a sense of accomplishment and will keep you motivated to meet your main goal.
3. Reward Yourself
Celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. Rewards help reinforce positive behavior and keep you motivated. Examples of rewards could include treating yourself to something you enjoy after completing a challenging task. You can also share your achievements with your manager or peers to build recognition and encouragement.
4. Align Your Goals With Your Organisation’s Objectives
When possible, try to align your goals to your company’s mission or vision. For example, if your company values innovation, set a goal to “propose a new idea for process improvements this quarter.”
5. Seek Feedback and Support
If you’re unsure about your goals or struggling to meet them, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Discuss your goals with your manager to ensure they align with team objectives and get guidance on achieving them. Regular check-ins with mentors or colleagues can help you stay on track and adjust your goals as needed.
Manage Your Business With MOVE
Here at MOVE, we offer a wide range of services, such as business coaching, to help businesses thrive. If you feel you or your workplace could benefit from some support when it comes to setting goals, we can help.
For more information on the services we offer or to speak to a member of our team, don’t hesitate to contact us today at 07852 920 718. We look forward to hearing from you!
Mark is a multi-award winner in business networking and relationship building. He is passionate about coaching and mentoring business owners and professionals through 1-1 & group coaching, team performance workshops and group mastermind sessions.