In our annual sales meeting this week, I led a session on goal setting for my sales team. I stressed the importance of having written goals and referenced the following study:
There was a fascinating study conducted on the 1979 Harvard MBA program where graduate students were asked “have you set clear, written goals for your future and made plans to accomplish them?” The result, only 3% had written goals and plans, 13% had goals but they weren’t in writing and 84% had no goals at all. Ten years later, the same group was interviewed again and the result was absolutely mind-blowing.
The 13% of the class who had goals, but did not write them down was earning twice the amount of the 84% who had no goals. The 3% who had written goals were earning, on average, ten times as much as the other 97% of the class combined!
How many of you have ever written down your goals? How many have written goals now?
There’s great power in writing down your goals. In writing your goals, it’s important to determine a few key aspects of your goals. Think of a goal that you have for this year.
- Is your goal SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Tangible)?
- What are the benefits of achieving this goal?
- What are the negative consequences of NOT achieving your goal?
- What are the obstacles to achieving your goal?
- What are some solutions to overcoming these obstacles?
- What are the action steps (along with dates) to your goal?
Here’s a worksheet that will help you map our your goals:
Once you complete this worksheet, I would suggest that you share it with others whether it’s family, friends, or colleagues. There’s great power in sharing your goals. I would also suggest posting your goals somewhere visible – near your desk, by your bed, or even on the bathroom mirror. Lastly, I recommend reviewing your goal on a weekly basis to check in with yourself and measure your progress.
Good luck!!
