Goal Setting Skills

Setting workplace goals can keep you motivated and help you fulfill your responsibilities and daily to-dos. The creation and review of ongoing goals can also help increase your success both professionally and personally, providing you with motivation, clarity, and purpose.  Goals will improve your focus and engagement in the workplace. 

What do we mean by setting goals?  Goals are objectives that you set to improve your character, skills, and capabilities. Setting these goals involves assessing yourself and identifying the areas in which you can improve to maximize your potential.   To get started you should create a plan with steps to help you accomplish what you want to do.

How do you set workplace goals without actually knowing what you want to achieve? There really is not a right or wrong way to set goals.  It all depends on what works best for you.  Ask yourself, what do I want to learn?  Where do I want to be next month or next year?  Let’s look at some ideas to help inspire you.

•  Look at the bigger picture and make a plan on what part you will play to achieve the overall goals of your organization.

• Manage your time effectively.  Make a list of all of your tasks and then prioritize them.

• Grow your skills through continuing education.

• Ask for support and feedback from your coworkers or supervisor to help keep you on track.  They may provide a suggestion or an approach that you haven’t considered.

• Don’t overlook self-care.  It’s okay to take a break.  If you’re not taking care of yourself properly, you’ll never achieve your full potential.

• Network by attending conferences and going to lunch with people in other departments or other industries.  Check in with people you admire.

• Track your progress and set time aside to reevaluate your current goal.  What is a priority today might not be a priority tomorrow?

Bottom line: Setting goals will help you keep moving forward when life is full of day-to-day tasks.  Goal setting should also help keep you from getting stuck and will provide an important reminder of the big picture.  With determination and hard work, you can reach your full potential.

Reneé Hudson, Loss Prevention Consultant