Let’s face it: setting goals sounds easy, but somehow, it’s also the thing most leaders totally bungle.
If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve made a few (or all) of these mistakes yourself.
Don’t worry – I’ve been there too.
Let’s break it down and figure out how to fix it.
Why You Suck at Setting Goals
I’ll admit it.
I used to really suck at setting goals.
Like, embarrassingly bad.
My goals were so far off the mark, I might as well have been playing darts blindfolded in a wind tunnel.
Here’s What I Did Wrong:
I was unrealistic.
I was overambitious.
I didn’t actually Get Sh!t Done (GSD)
Sound familiar?
If you’re struggling to hit your targets, you’re probably making some of the same mistakes I did.
Let’s call it what it is: you suck at goal setting, and I’m here to tell you why.
What You’re Doing Wrong:
You’re overly ambitious. Your eyes are bigger than your resources. Oops.
You’re too vague. “Increase sales” is not a plan, Kevin. Where’s the roadmap?
You have too many goals. You’re not a magician – focus on a few that actually matter.
You set goals alone. Newsflash: your team has thoughts too. Ever heard of collaboration?
You communicate poorly. No one’s reading your 27-slide PowerPoint, and they shouldn’t have to.
You don’t track progress. Out of sight, out of mind. If it’s not on the radar, it’s already sunk.
You skip accountability. Spoiler alert: nothing gets done without follow-through.
You lack flexibility. Life happens, but your plan doesn’t adapt. Big mistake.
You’re obsessed with competitors. Stop copying others and focus on YOUR vision and what makes sense for YOUR strategy.
If any of this sounds painfully familiar, congratulations!
You’ve identified the reasons your goal-setting efforts have been an epic flop.
Awareness is step one, but let’s not stop there.
There’s a better way to set goals that actually stick and drive results.
Trust me, it’s worth learning.
How to Set Better Goals
So, you’re not where you want to be.
Your projects are dragging, tech adoption is a mess, and your goals?
They’re about as useful as a chocolate teapot.
The good news?
You can turn it around.
Here’s how to go from goal-setting disaster to success story.
Step 1: Stop Setting “Should” Goals
You know the ones: the goals you set because they sound impressive or align with what your competitors are doing.
Instead, focus on your BIG WHY – the deeper reason behind your efforts.
When your goals are meaningful and tied to your core strategy, they become far easier to achieve.
If you can’t explain how a project or goal connects to your vision, neither can your team. That’s a problem.
If it doesn’t move the needle forward, it’ll end up on the back burner, collecting dust.
If it’s not aligned with your strategy, why bother? Seriously, what’s the point?
Forget about the competition and hone in on YOUR strategy.
This isn’t a one-size-fits-all game.
Figure out where YOU want to go and how to get there.
Keep it real and stop chasing what looks good on paper but doesn’t align with your vision.
Step 2: Tie Every Goal to Your WHY
If your goal doesn’t connect back to your mission and strategy, it’s time to Marie Kondo that nonsense and let it go.
Alignment isn’t just a buzzword; it’s the secret sauce to achieving your goals.
Ask yourself:
Why the heck are we doing this?
How does this goal support our vision?
Does this goal bring us closer to our long-term objectives?
If you can’t answer those questions, it’s not worth pursuing.
Plain and simple.
Step 3: Use These Pro Tips
Here’s how to suck less at setting goals and become the kind of leader your team actually wants to follow:
Delegate and leverage your team. You’re not a one-person show. Tap into the skills of your team and empower them to contribute.
Communicate clearly. Keep it simple, keep it concise. If your goals require a thesis-level explanation, you’ve already lost your audience.
Track progress. If you’re not measuring, you’re guessing. Use tools and dashboards to make tracking easy and transparent.
Provide visibility. Everyone should know where you’re headed and why. This keeps the entire team aligned and motivated.
Build flexibility into the plan. Goals evolve, and that’s okay. Adaptability isn’t a weakness; it’s a strength.
Celebrate milestones. Don’t wait until the finish line to acknowledge progress. Regular wins keep momentum alive.
When you’re intentional, aligned, and strategic, your goals can transform from laughable to legendary.
It’s not about how many goals you set; it’s about how well you crush the right ones.
Step 4: Create a Goal-Setting Culture
Goal setting shouldn’t be a solo mission.
Get your team involved from the start.
Ask for their input, and make goal-setting a collaborative effort.
When people feel ownership over goals, they’re more invested in achieving them.
Host brainstorming sessions to align on priorities.
Encourage open feedback to refine and clarify goals.
Make goal setting part of your regular meetings to keep it top of mind.
Step 5: Leverage Tools and Resources
Don’t reinvent the wheel.
Use goal-setting frameworks like SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) or OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) to structure your goals.
These methods provide clarity and make tracking progress straightforward.
Additionally, invest in tools that help your team stay organized and accountable.
From project management software to shared dashboards, the right tools can make a world of difference.
Final Thoughts
Goal setting is both an art and a science.
It’s not about setting goals for the sake of having them; it’s about creating a roadmap that drives meaningful progress.
When you focus on your WHY, involve your team, and adapt as needed, you’ll stop sucking at setting goals and start excelling at achieving them.
Ready to stop sucking? Let’s do this.
Ready to crush your goals and stop the cycle of aimless planning? Let’s map out a plan that’s tailored to your vision. We’ll turn your goals from a chaotic mess into a clear, actionable strategy that gets real results.
Click the button below to get started – your future team will thank you.
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