Set
powerful goals for 2020 and beyond by asking yourself this set of potent
questions.
As the decade ends, it's time to reflect not
only on your goals for 2020, but for the decade
beyond. Don't be intimidated, it's not as daunting an exercise as you'd think.
It comes down to asking yourself the right questions, ones that spur goal setting to not only maximize
achievement and success, but to create deeper meaning. The goal-setting
questions must go beyond the usual, like "Are my goals time bound and
specific?"
Here are 11 powerful questions to guide
goal-setting, informed by a review of existing research and many interviews I
conducted for my books Make It Matter and Find the
Fire on what constitutes a fulfilling work life (and life in general).
As you set your goals for the next year and 10 years, consider what follows.
1. "What are the
tempting parking spaces to avoid?"
Life is dotted with many tempting parking
spaces. Safe places to pull into and put it into park. For years. What are the
patterns you keep getting caught in? What are the traps that could derail you
from what you really want to accomplish?
For some it's coasting through another span of
years in corporate. For others it might be sticking around in an industry that
bores you, but pays well. Whatever it might be, get out of neutral, put it in
drive, and set your goals accordingly.
2. "How can I
live a life true to myself and my values, and not the life others expect of
me?"
This is the top regret of the dying according
to palliative nurse turned author Bronnie Ware. You don't
want to look back 10 years (or even one year) from now feeling like you lived
someone else's story. Might a big goal be for you to live your own?
3. "How can I
work on my life, not just in it?"
Routines gobble our time, energy, and mind
space, and are, well, just routine. This question spurs proactivity versus
constant reactivity. It's about recommitting to the concept of challenge,
embracing once again the thrill that comes from learning and growing and moving
towards the best version of yourself. Set goals that help you get "next"
going.
4. "What's the
difference between a good and great next year or decade?"
The danger in setting goals is not that we aim
too high and fail, but that we aim too low and achieve them. You have a chance
now to reset the bar on what you accomplish and the happiness you create.
Ask yourself what a good year or decade looks
like, and what a great one looks like. Set goals that move you towards the
latter. And ask yourself, "If I knew I couldn't fail, what would I
try?" Greatness often lies in the answer.
5. "What are my
superpowers and how will I use them for good?"
We all have things we're extra-good at.
Everyone. Consider setting a goal that forces you to use those superpowers to
accomplish something that matters.
6. "What deeds
need doing?"
This goal-setting question forces you to
consider your cause. What things simply must be done at work (or in life)
that would gnaw at you, your cause, and your values if they weren't
accomplished? A meaningful goal will arise.
7. "What can only
I lead?"
You likely have a unique set of skills or are
in a unique position to accomplish something of importance, something you're
best suited to make happen (and that likely won't happen without you). The
answer can spur a specific goal.
8. "What part of
me hasn't shown up in my life yet?"
You get one shot. If there's something about
you you've been wanting to explore or put on display, goal-setting time is the
time to put the wheels in motion.
9. "What have
been my happiest moments?"
Reflect to consider what the happiest moments
in your life have been. What goal would force you to engage in the kinds of activities
that created that happiness? Goal-setting should be about fulfillment, not just
fulfilling obligations.
10. "Who will I
have served?"
When you look back one or 10 years later, who
will you have served with your time and energy? It's easy to get too
self-centered in setting goals, but true joy comes from knowing you made a
difference in other people's lives. Set yourself up to lift others up with the
goals you set.
11. "Will I have
done what people say I was meant to do?"
This question speaks to leveraging your unique
talents. What would others say you were meant to do? Will the goals you set
help you use these skills to accomplish something that matters?
To set up next year or the next 10 years, ask
these questions. Then set goals with soul.
PUBLISHED
ON: DEC 17, 2019
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