Coaching 101: Set Great Goals

Great, evidence-based coaching draws on some fundamental concepts, which can be easily understood and applied, in your own life.

If I had my way, everyone would have a world-class coach! But I know that’s not possible. And so, for that reason, I am committed to sharing my knowledge, to make sure everyone can access some simple tools, to design and implement life-enhancing change.

This is a series of blog posts. You can find the first, on adopting a Solution Focus, here. The second explained the process of change.

Now? Setting great goals.

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Great goals are critical to successful goal attainment.

You can have the best intentions in the Whole World and all the necessary resources but if you aren’t working towards a Great Goal, you’re setting yourself up to fail.

Here are some simple guidelines, to get you achieving, brilliantly.

+ You want it. This seems obvious, but you can’t imagine how many times clients have come to me saying that they’re struggling to achieve and it turns out that what they’re aiming for is a Big, Fat Should. If you’re striving for something you think you should, but deep down you’re actually not really that keen, I would put money on you never realising the goal. So make sure you aiming for something you really [really] want. Example: I want to make partner vs I want to mentor younger staff.

+ You know what it is. To achieve something, you need to know what it is and you need to know if you’ve achieved it. Example: I want to be successful vs I want my business to have at least 40 clients and be turning over $X by the end of the year.

+ It is possible. When determining a goal, it is critical to make it a serious challenge – we know that stretch goals fuel achievement. It is also really important to make it achievable. Again, this seems obvious [why would I aim for something I can’t do?] but sometimes folk think that if they aim beyond possible they’ll achieve beyond expected. No! Aim for big but within your means, every time. Example: I have to get a perfect score vs I will achieve a score in the top 10% while maintaining  my social life [seeing friends at least twice a week].

+ You know how. Once you’ve decided on a great goal, it is important to determine effective action steps, to get you to where you want to go. Example: I am going to get super fit! vs I am going to join a gym, get a personal trainer, run/swim/box each week, get my friend on board as a workout-buddy, buy some new trainers and set up some awesome playlists.

+ You know when. Anchoring goals to a timeframe keeps you focused and accountable. Example: I will run a marathon vs I will run the Melbourne Marathon in October next year.

+ You track it. Great goal striving always involves an effective feedback mechanism. Example: spreadsheets, lists, phone apps, gold stars, white boards – anything that gives you a clear indication of how you’re progressing.

Tags: life-coaching, Melbourne