As we come to the end of 2020, now is a time for both reflection and planning for 2021. For any leader this starts with goal setting. To help you with this, below are some of my favourite goal setting exercises.
Identify Personal Values
Identifying your core values is vital for effective goal setting. To help you identify your these, answer the following questions:
• You’ve just been told you have 6 months to live. What will you do with your one precious year?
• You’re on your death bed. As you reflect on your life, what 3 accomplishments are you most proud of? What are the 3 most important lessons you’ve learned throughout your time here? What is most important to you as you reflect back on your life?
• Write down the 3 top qualities you see in the person you admire most…
“The Last Time…”
Asking yourself the last time you felt certain emotions or feelings can highlight areas in which you may have gone astray and where you need to focus more time and energy. Write down the answers to, “The last time I…..”;
• Developed a new skill was…
• Felt amazingly happy was…
• Felt proud of myself was…
• Felt completely focused was…
• Felt truly peaceful was…
• Felt truly successful was…
Your answers to these questions will help you focus on which areas to set goals
Write Your Eulogy
This might seem morbid but it’s incredibly useful for powerful goal creation. Think through what you want said at your funeral.
• How do you want people to remember you?
• How do you want people to describe your character?
• What accomplishments do you want people to remember?
• Get more specific: What one thing is most important that they remember about you?
• How would you like others to describe your life purpose & how well you fulfilled it?
• What lessons do people say you taught them?
Your Perfect Day
Write a detailed account of your perfect day. The focus here needs to be on your best “average” day, not what you would do on holiday. If you can get your mind focused on how you want to spend the majority of your days, you’ll know clearly where to place your goal setting efforts.
