“You should set goals beyond your reach so you always have something to live for.”

– Ted Turner

As a coach people often expect that working with me requires serious goal-setting and extensive planning to make those goals a reality. They’re sometimes surprised to discover that not all of my clients even have defined goals, especially when we first start our work together. I don’t view them as the be-all and end-all when it comes to coaching, I’m more mindful of simply creating space for the right conversations to take place. Many times these conversations are the precursor to the goals that later develop with newfound clarity. 

Some clients know exactly what they are working toward and jump at the opportunity to finally have the time and space to focus on their bigger vision during our sessions. Others just know they want to continue doing the work that lights them up and be free of the busy-work that has taken over their role as their business has grown. Figuring out how that looks and the practicalities of it then forms the basis of our work together.  

It’s ok for goals to take time to emerge and to later evolve but when we do go about setting them it can be helpful to know what factors make an ideal goal i.e. a goal that is more likely to be realised. It makes sense to create goals that are likely to activate high performance, otherwise, why bother? As American media mogul Ted Turner asserts – a good goal is one that will stretch you and keep you motivated to achieve it.

The Keys to a Next Level Goal

In their research in the 1960’s Professor Edwin Locke and Professor Gary Latham made some significant discoveries in relation to goal setting. They found that goals that are both specific and difficult lead to the highest performance. When these factors are present, commitment to the goal is most critical.

But how do you get that commitment?

Locke and Latham found that high commitment is attained when the goal setter is convinced that the goal is both important, and attainable. If you don’t feel that your goal is important, you’re unlikely to work hard toward achieving it, and likewise, if you believe it’s beyond your capability you probably won’t take the necessary steps to make it happen. 

So difficult, yet attainable. Easy right? Maybe not, but it definitely makes sense to spend some extra time during the goal setting process to consider what might get in the way of you feeling like the goal is attainable. Do you need extra training or support? Additional equipment? More time? etc. Brainstorm potential issues and solutions so you can feel as prepared as possible to leave your comfort zone. 

You can also use the other elements above to plan your goal for maximum success. Run it through these filters:

1. Is it specific enough? It should give measurable figures and a deadline.

2. Is it going to stretch me?

3. Why is it important? Why else? Keep asking this until you have 50+ reasons for a big goal.

One the primary functions of coaching is to raise a persons self-belief so they can better trust themselves and feel more confident in their capabilities. This can be extremely valuable when we are dealing with situations that stretch us and take us to places we haven’t been before, helping us to keep moving forward when we otherwise might quit. Next level goals are difficult but the path is less daunting when someone is walking it with you. Read more about our Coaching for Business Owners. 

Most goals focus on what needs to be done to make them happen, but another useful practice when tackling important and difficult goals is to consider who you need to “be” in order to see them through. What mindset and behaviours do you need adopt to become the kind of person who gets the results you are chasing? It’s not about turning into someone you’re not, it’s about becoming the next level you.

Until next time,