Why Goal Setting Matters

A goal-setting study sponsored by the Ford Foundation found that:

• 23% of the population has NO IDEA what they want from life & as a result, they float around aimlessly.
• 67% of the population has a general idea of what they want but don’t have any plans for getting it.
• Only 10% of the population has specific, well-defined goals, but even then, 7 out of 10 of those people reach their goals only half (50%) of the time.
• The top 3% of the people in the study achieved their goals 89% of the time.

• What was the difference?  They found that of all the possible variables, the only difference between the top performers and the rest was that the top 3% WROTE DOWN THEIR GOALS.

Systems Drive Business; Let Systems Drive Goals Too

 As a Manager, you are responsible for achieving departmental and organizational goals, plain and simple. So, how do you identify, prioritize, engage, implement, and achieve goals? Many goals and directives are assigned by senior leadership with little guidance. Your deliverable and why you exist in the organization is to profitably achieve the goals set and the goals of your team. Tricky business, no doubt. Systems drive 80% of business, and we manage only 20% of the variables. So let’s get to work.

To establish goal priority, one must first identify goals. You may use this system personally, professionally, and organizationally. Follow this system with discipline for success. Most wing it, do not be like them.

What you can do NOW to Set Your Managerial Goals Successfully

Follow the steps in the JRCI Setting SMART Goals Successfully Worksheet: 

Tie It Together for Managerial Success

You may feel you do not have to do this exercise. I strongly suggest you do the work to win. You likely believe you do not have time to engage in this activity. You must. The time you are probably wasting will more than make up the difference. This process will flush out your priorities. This system will eliminate the noise and act as your personal and professional goals filter. When you can see it, it becomes real. See your goals. Do they make sense? What is out of order? How can you set them to force multiply your desired results? Are your goals big enough? Do you have the resources available to achieve them? Now, you will better answer these simple questions more effectively.

Repeat this process and work formally through each goal. The temptation is not to do the work as it appears so simple. However, this process works to provoke thoughts and ideas that are out of focus. This process creates true clarity for you and your goals. Profitability and peace of mind are synonymous. To achieve both requires real effort. Do the work and enjoy the rewards!