Leaders with influence understand the importance of setting the “right” goals. They can tell you where they are going and how they will get there.
By Kevin Fournier, President & Co-Founder
As we get ready to begin a very exciting 2011, I believe it is always beneficial to step back and take a look at the big picture. There’s an old saying, “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will get you there.” While that phrase stands in truth, there’s another phrase even more significant, “People pull over and stop when lost.” Don’t believe me? Think of the last time you were lost and had to stop and pull over for directions. Ultimately, it took you longer to reach your destination.
We have to know, and focus on, our destination before we begin planning. In every area of our lives, where we end up is partly the result of the goals we did or didn’t develop. Leaders with influence understand the importance of setting the “right” goals. They can tell you where they are going and how they will get there. And it’s this discipline in setting, and then getting, their goals that causes other people to want to follow them.
Why? Because Leaders realize setting goals provides:
- Specific points toward achieving bigger plans.
- Measurements for progress.
- Targets on which to aim time and energy.
- Inspiration and excitement in the journey.
- Protection from procrastination and distractions.
- A confidence in those that are following the Leader.
No matter what title or income level you achieved at the end of 2010, setting the “right goals” for 2011 will help you develop an action plan. It will be your discipline to adhere to that action plan that will determine if you are just a goal-setter or a goal-getter! When your action plan is developed, you’ll stay focused; you’ll know the next step to take. And as the Leader, your focus benefits you and everyone in your Organization.
But before you write the goals that will define 2011 for you, set aside some time for introspection. I’m a big believer in this exercise and, to me, the key is to look within. Blaming others and making excuses have no place when answering these questions. Sometimes all I have is a few minutes in the morning while other times I’ve taken an entire weekend to reflect. Nonetheless, the questions most beneficial to ask have been:
- What were my goals in 2010?
- Did I accomplish all that I set out to do?
- If so, what were the three biggest reasons for achieving them?
- If not, what were the three biggest reasons for not achieving them?
I’ve realized that I need to drill down to the nitty-gritty reasons. When I answer these questions honestly, I’m able to determine what I can work on and do differently to allow me to grow in those specific areas. It creates personal accountability. As a result, I give myself better clarity when developing my next set of goals.
Now is the time to begin defining your 2011 goals. The sooner you begin, the clearer your goals will become. Here are some questions to answer before the New Year:
- What is my purpose for building a FreeLife business?
- What do I want to accomplish in 2011?
- What title do I want to achieve by the end of 2011? How will this benefit me? Those in my family? Those in my FreeLife Organization?
- What concrete steps, such as an action plan, do I need to take to accomplish it?
- How often will I be in the Service Pool?
- Who are the four to six people I will work with and develop into Leaders in 2011?
- How much time each day will I devote toward achieving my goals?
- What are three things I need to eliminate in 2011 in order to reach my goals?
Above all else, have great expectations for your goals in 2011. The more you believe in “you,” the more you’ll be able to accomplish and it won’t be long into 2011 that you’ll be achieving goals you once thought to be impossible.
It has been said that if Michelangelo had listened to his doubts or critics, he would have painted the floor instead of the ceiling and his magnificent artwork wouldn’t be around to admire.
The lesson: “Your great results in 2011 begin with your great expectations about 2011.”
See you in Las Vegas!
