A few weeks ago I wrote a post on goals and how they compare to the annual New Year’s Resolution process. Now I realize that I missed part of the progression…the part about what those goals should consist of.
TLNT published an article titled, Want to be a Better Leader? Schedule Some Time for Yourself to Think. It’s a terrific read and I couldn’t agree with it more. As leaders, we have to spend time thinking.
What should we be thinking about? Well, while Snooki’s latest exploits and the details of the Royal Wedding might be relaxing and/or entertaining, leaders spend 
time thinking about the future. They spend time thinking about the business problems of today, the challenges of tomorrow and the possibilities of the future.
Which leads me to another tradition – predictions. IMHO, predictions are nothing more than those events or activities we believe are going to happen at some point in the future. And because we believe they might happen, we put goals or actions in place to deal with them.
- If the prediction holds true, we have a plan in place and we’re working that plan.
- If the prediction doesn’t happen, hopefully there are new signals that lead us toward a new prediction of the future.
I believe everyone on some level has their own predictions. Maybe they don’t want to tell anyone…but they have them. I can’t imagine anyone who fancies themselves a business partner not having predictions. Here’s an example:
The company is holding a senior leadership meeting. They are reviewing the company’s financial performance. The president looks at the team and asks what projected revenue will be for the next quarter. I don’t see the Chief Financial Officer saying, “Um, sorry boss. I don’t make predictions about the future.”
Budgets are an example of predictions. Financial performance numbers generated based upon a set of assumptions about the marketplace, consumer spending, etc. And because the assumptions sometimes change, budgets are reforecast all the time.
Setting relevant goals is important. The actual goal itself is created from your predictions about what you believe will happen in the future – regarding employment, business, customer service, revenue, consumer spending, etc. Those aren’t assumptions that happen without a whole bunch of thinking.
So find a nice comfy chair, maybe a roaring fire, and a warm beverage…and let your goal setting begin!
Image courtesy of Stig Nygaard
Ben Moore says
Sharlyn, excellent post. I think some people look at goals as tasks, but like you say, they’re bigger than that. They’re also about predicting the future, and then trying to achieve it. Great post.
Mike Powers says
Great words to tie thought, predictions and goals together.
Amy Wilson says
Love the idea that goals = predictions. I’ve never heard that before, but it makes lots of sense.
Sharlyn Lauby says
Thanks so much for the kind words everyone! Have a terrific day.
Maro Onokpise says
Great post Sharlyn…setting goals is a huge part of job searching. Its the small things that separate those that are successful from those who ascribe to be successful. When we do talks and workshops, we stress the importance of setting goals that you can measure yourself against. If you’re not achieving your goals or falling short of them, it may be time to course correct or shift your strategy. The other part is making sure you write down what your goals are and do something every day to get you closer to achieving those goals. Also incorporate a partner to hold you accountable for those goals if you veer off track.
Sharlyn Lauby says
Thanks for adding to the conversation Maro. Both of your points are spot on – writing goals down helps to keep focus as well as create a way to measure progress.
Marree Saltaformaggio says
Sharlyn,
Excellent post! I think we often fail to schedule time as leaders to think and reflect on what we want to accomplish. I had not put goals and predictions together as earlier mentioned either. As a nurse manager, and graduate nursing student in administration, we plan for staffing based on projections or predictions of the number and types of patients we will admit, and that is part of the financial responsibility to base staffing on. Many aspects of leadership as you pointed out are based on predictions! Thanks for sharing.
Sharlyn Lauby says
Thanks for the comment Marree. I totally agree we don’t set enough time aside for thinking. For me, I find long drives in the car and airplane trips are great times to think.
Beyond Horizons says
Great post! I especially loved your insight on how ‘prediction’ is an important part of goal setting. Your goals should not just be based on where you want to be, but also on what is likely to be the scenario.
On a parallel note, I read a post by GEORGE AMBLER called ‘Complex goals are best achieved indirectly’. I thought it might be a relevant read.
– Sindoora (http://www.beyondhorizons.in)
Beyond Horizons says
Here’s the link for the article I talked about in my comment http://www.thepracticeofleadership.net/complex-goals-are-best-achieved-indirectly
I’m sorry I forgot to post it earlier.
– – Sindoora (http://www.beyondhorizons.in)