Time To Set 2016 Goals

If you have not set goals yet for 2016 in December – what exactly are you waiting for?

“Insanity is doing the same things over and over again and expecting different results.”  – Attributed to Albert Einstein

We all know we must set goals for ourselves, our family and in our careers or business. This should never be a once a year activity. In reality we have our why – our big dream or wish. Our goals should be set to help take us toward our why.

My good friend, Paul Martinelli, the President of The John Maxwell Team, recent said to me that – “people who set goals which are for things they know they can do and can achieve – well they have already lost – they have given up!” The point of setting goals is to challenge us to take ourselves on a journey. If we want to tread water everyday for ten hours a day, then we should go do that.

For each goal there must be a timeline and a purpose. Each goal must be consistent with moving us toward our why. Some of the goals may seem almost out of reach and may have you questioning yourself a bit – ‘how am I going to do that one?’.

This is a thought that needs to be erased!

“What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.” – Zig Ziglar

Where many of us fall off the wagon on our goal achievement is either not creating an accountability process, or sticking with a plan which isn’t serving us and refusing to change the plan, or both of these!

Another key aspect of goal setting is to revisit our goals regularly throughout the year. For some people or businesses this is done once each quarter. For numerous entrepreneurs, a reality check should be conducted at the end of each month.

“When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don’t adjust the goals, adjust the action steps. – Confucius

There are so many great books on goal setting and probably a number of not so good ones as well! Let’s recap in this short article the main points.

• First is always start out the year with goals
• Know your why – your big dream or idea – and if not – write it out
• Our goals should challenge us
• Goals must have a timeline, a purpose
• We must create a process of accountability
• Revisit our goals throughout the year and adjust our action steps first

Be Intentional each day – get started with the 7 Day Experiment with John C. Maxwell.

Mitch Tublin is an advanced, certified coach, speaker and business consultant who resides in Stamford, CT.