New goals always get me excited. Something about the new possibilities and a blank page makes me want to dive right in and get started. But often it was a false start, and I would have to stop, go back to the drawing board and start all over again. Can you relate?

I have worked with thousands of people in many different roles, and I know I am not the only one who gets caught in this trap. It's more than an inconvenience. This false start wastes time, can result in confusion and duplication of effort, and can cause you to be more stressed or overwhelmed than you need to be.

The good news is that I have a basic, repeatable process that will help you achieve your goals with more ease. All you need to do is pause before you dive in and take the time to consider these three questions.

1. Why this goal
2. When will you work on this goal?
3. What support do you need?

Your answers will help you refine the goal, create a realistic plan and engage the support you need from the beginning. 

Question 1: Why this goal?

When you first start working on a goal, you are focused and motivated to do whatever it takes. But motivation is not consistent. It ebbs and flows over time. The only thing to get you going when this happens is the “why”. 

• Why is this a goal? 
• Why is it important? 
• Why is it important at this time? 
• Why did you (or your organisation) choose to pursue this goal above others? 

When considering the “why”, don’t stop when the goal is achieved. Look beyond that to imagine what will be possible in 6 months or 12 months as a result of this work.

Understanding the reason a goal exists in the first instance is the key to persisting even when motivation escapes you. 

Question 2: When will you do the work?

Few of us have the luxury of delegating or outsourcing all our other obligations so that we can focus solely on one goal. Most people still need to accomplish daily tasks, attend meetings and deal with the unexpected.

This is why you need to get a clear view of your capacity. Ask yourself the following questions to identify the changes you need to make throughout your day or week to create space for this goal work.

• What do I need to start doing?
• What do I need to stop doing?
• What do I need to do more of?
• What do I need to do less of?

When you first begin working on a goal, it can feel like there is plenty of time. However, as the weeks pass and deadlines draw closer, many people feel rushed or overwhelmed. You can avoid this by proactively creating space in your week to make steady progress. 

If you’d like to learn more about the corporate workshops I deliver to help people manage their workloads and achieve their goals, get in touch.

Question 3: What support do you need?

Finally, take some time to write a list of people who can help you. Maybe it’s people who have been successful at doing a similar thing in the past or people who are willing and available to troubleshoot with you when things aren’t going right. Perhaps it’s someone who is a really good listener.

Considering what support you need upfront will ensure that you seek the help you need to be successful. 

Begin with these four categories to identify the support you need and add anything else that applies to your goal.

• Skills or knowledge
• Mindset
• Time
• Emotional support

Answering these three questions (and taking action based on what you find) will help you better understand the goal, the work involved, and the support available to you. All of these things will help you achieve the goal more easily and effectively.

Whether you are starting a new goal or want to get back on track, consider these questions today and set yourself up for success.

I love helping teams improve how they manage their workday so they can achieve their goals without unnecessary stress and pressure. If you'd like to learn more, contact me to schedule an initial conversation.