Set new goals on the journey to success

Franklin Roosevelt said, “To reach a port, we must sail—sail, not tie at anchor—sail, not drift.”  

Every year employees are given the opportunity to reset themselves for the year and prepare new goals to set them on a course towards success.  If aligned correctly, managers, departments, and Yale all benefit when employees successfully accomplish their objectives throughout the year.

Goals are an essential part of your development. If goal setting is new to you, or if you have not experienced the full value of the exercise, here are some additional benefits to your personal and professional growth.
•    Goals create a roadmap for success, helping you see where you are going, what changes you need to make, and if you are progressing toward the milestones you are hoping for;
•    Goals align you, your manager, and your department so that there is consistency, and all are striving for what will holistically benefit everyone;
•    The process of writing your goals helps you clarify desired outcomes, establishes consensus with all those involved in the work, and gains commitment to making them happen;
•    Goal specificity keeps you focused, challenged, and puts you on a direct course of action—keeping you focused and energized throughout the cycle;
•    Goal achievement requires a committed, concentrated work ethic; and working towards completion gives you the opportunity to showcase your abilities and talents;
•    Goals can be developmental – not only should they be performance based, but they should also help you focus on developing a behavioral or technical competency that is aligned to your career aspirations for the future. Building this expectation into your goal plan keeps you attentive to your development needs and increases your attention to your own personal development by almost 50%!
 
Throughout the year, employees should ask themselves: are my daily actions bringing me closer to my goals? If not, recalibrate, reassess, and act, so that you are not anchored or adrift, yet are sailing towards a successful outcome once the year comes to a close.