Setting goals and staying accountable.

How to elevate yourself as a manager.

Do you ever start the New Year off setting a long list of unachievable goals only to never look at them again? Do you forget to set yourself realistic goals that are motivating and attainable? Let’s take a deep dive into simple goal setting and how to stay accountable!

As a manager, the start of the new year presents the perfect time to set goals that push both personal and professional growth. Strategic goal setting not only sets you up for success but also instils a sense of direction and purpose.

1.     Reflect on the year that was.

Begin by reflecting on the past year's wins and areas and areas of improvement. Assess what worked well, what fell short, and what areas of improvement you may have.

2.     Set SMART Goals.

Adopt the SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) to structure your goals. Being specific ensures clarity in your objectives, measurability allows for tracking progress, achievability keeps goals realistic, relevance aligns them with your managerial role, and time-bound sets clear deadlines.

For instance, a SMART goal could be: "Increase teams individual sales by 5% by implementing a new customer service workshop within the first quarter."

3.     Prioritise your goals.

Identify and prioritise your goals based on their relevance, alignment with company objectives, and your personal development needs. Focus on a manageable number of goals to avoid feeling overwhelmed and to ensure you stay focused on the goals ahead. KEEP THEM SIMPLE!

4.     Break down your goals.

Divide each goal into smaller, actionable steps. These smaller tasks make the larger goal seem more achievable and provide a guideline to follow throughout the year. Assign deadlines to these smaller tasks to maintain momentum and track progress regularly.

5.     Be accountable!

Hold yourself accountable by creating a system that ensures consistent progress. This could involve regular check-ins with your leader or setting time in your calendar to review and reflect each goal on a monthly or fortnightly basis.

6.     Celebrate the wins.

Acknowledge and celebrate wins reached along the way. Recognising your achievements, no matter how small, boosts confidence and motivates continued progress.

Setting New Year goals as a manager is a proactive approach to personal and professional development. By setting SMART goals, creating actionable steps, establishing accountability measures, and embracing adaptability, you pave the way for a year of growth, productivity, and success. Remember, the journey toward achieving your goals is as important as the goals themselves. Stay committed, resilient, and adaptable as you navigate the path towards your management goals in the new year.