How Setting Goals at Work Will Change Your Life - Career Sidekick

How Setting Goals at Work Will Change Your Life - Career Sidekick How Setting Goals at Work Will Change Your Life Misc Tips / https://www.edenscott.com/blog I never used to set work goals. Maybe at the start of the year Id write down a few, but nothing week-to-week or month-to-month. And I definitely had no idea how powerful setting goals at work would turn out to beHeres the old me: I figured Im going to do my best, and picking a goal that I may or may not hit is pointless. I thought to myself- whynot just work hard and do as much as possible and seeexactly how far I can get instead of guessing in advance?It wasnt that I was afraid of failing. I just viewed goal-setting as guessing.I was Dead Wrong and Ill explain exactly why.The PowerfulResultof Setting Goals at Work:Sure, when you set a goal you arent sure if youll make it.But the reality is that failing or getting halfway toward a well-defined and measurable goal will do much more for you than just trying hard and seeing how far you can get.Heres some of the best stuff that happens when you set specific goals, and specific deadlines for them:Accountabi litySuccess or failure, you tend to reach the deadline and look back on what went well and what could have gone better. I havent found myself coming to the conclusion that the goal was unrealistic when I fail. Far more often I find valuable insight into what I could have done better, how I could have prioritized differently, outsourced pieces of the work, etc!This creates a greatlearning opportunity that essentially guarantees Ill be more efficient on the next project. And I wouldnt be asking myself any of these questions if I hadnt defined a goal beforehand, because Id have nothing to measure against.Prioritization/FocusYou have limited time in each day and limited resourcesto get your work done. When you introduce specific goals with timelines attached to each, itforces you to prioritize. What is the highest-impactaction you can take today? As you near the deadline and arent sure youll make it, which non-essential pieces can be scrapped? Is all of this really necessary? Can I comb ine tasks?These are the extremely valuablequestions youll be asking yourself, but only if you have a measurable goal and exact deadline.Social SupportIf you dont have a specific goal and deadline, you cant tell your friends about what youre targeting. Which means you cant get support and encouragement from them. They cant hold you accountable, check on your progress, tell you to stop making excuses and get it done!Social support from friends and colleagues is hugely important. Its almost impossible to succeed in complete isolation, and goals provide a way to interact and seek encouragement.ProductivityThe end result of all of the above is that you achieve as much as possible for yourself! I mentioned earlier that you might only get halfway toward a goal. That 50% is still further then you would have made it with no goal at all, I guarantee it.Now That I Set Work Goals Every Week, Id Never Go BackI only started realizingall of the aboveas afreelancer on Upwork this year. I wish I had realized back when I worked in corporate as well because I think it would have had a tremendous impact (tens of thousands of dollars probably).At this point you couldnt pay me to start a project without agoal and exact timelinein mind because its just an invitation for endless menial tasks, undefinedobjectives,excuses and lack offocus.My conclusion (I know this isnt rocket science; many of you have realized this long ago)is that goal-setting is ESSENTIALif you want to succeed and improve in your work and career.Specific benefits and improvements Ive noticed from weekly goal setting:Its only been a month or two and I already see huge improvements. I launched my completeInterview Guidelast week and would probably still be struggling with it if not for specific milestones that I was determined to hit eachweek.Here are the other bigimprovements and changes Ive noticed:I make less excuses nowIm more efficientI start each day with whats essential, rather than whats easyIve built a suppor t group with friends to hold each other accountableIm constantly forced to evaluate and self-criticize my performance, habits and results.I feelway better about myself and the work Im doingThat last one is important!!! Goals help you remember youre working hard and doing a good job. They help you look back on the week or month and realize that youveaccomplished a lot.I got spoiled in 9-5. Good bosses will tellyou when youre doing awesomework and I was fortunate to have a great boss.Well, when youre working for yourself, only YOU can tell yourself if youre doing a good job. And goalsare a way to look back and appreciate what youve accomplished rather than only looking forward.Try This For 1 Month:Dont start a work-related project or task without defining what pieces are required to succeed and how long you expect each piece to take.Write it down, tell one friend/colleague, and hold yourself accountable. On every project you do. After 1 month, you wont want to stop.Got a thought or co mment? Please share below. Ithink this applies to all types of work and careerssoId love to hearfrom a variety of people