Eyes on the prize: this is the mantra of many leaders in business. This laser focus commitment to goals is certainly noble, certainly something to aspire to. But in reality, it can be quite difficult to keep those goals front of mind, especially when you’re trying to lead a company fraught with distractions at every turn. You’re likely confronted with many choices every single day: bottom line vs. company direction, sales vs. strategy. Sometimes the two can coexist. Sometimes they can’t. So how can you keep your goals for success in focus as the leader of your organization?
Persistence
Self-doubt. Negative thoughts that stifle creativity. Lack of change despite efforts. All of these things can creep in and threaten your ability to remain focused on the end goal. But even when your goals seem out of reach, the key is to stay motivated. Try these strategies:
- Surround yourself with positive people. Feeding your soul with positivity surrounded by those who only have your best interests at heart can bolster your resolve and lift you up. Brainstorm. Ask for opinions. As a result, you may find a solution you never realized was right in front of you. Isolation can be the biggest road block to goals of success.
- Keep the big picture in your crosshairs. When your attention sways to the daily minutiae of company operations, your focus on the end game can shift all too easily. Sometimes just having a big sticky note or picture of your goal in front of your face all day, every day, can serve as the reminder you need to stay on track, says Entrepreneur. We all need to be re-energized every now and then.
- Reach out for help. If you’re stuck in a rut, don’t be too proud as to fail to ask for help. Go to your boss, a manager or a mentor. It doesn’t always have to be someone above you. Just the act of reaching out can bring a new light to your dilemma and open the door you need to step forward.
Perseverance
If you, like everyone else on the planet, has ever developed a goal and then failed, you probably know the crushing defeat you feel. Sometimes you even forget what your goals are. You may even get frustrated, feeling that your plans failed you. However, it’s actually the other way around. Every goal set is achievable; it’s usually the person setting the goal that gives up on it mid-way. The goal setting is the easy part. Even the implementation is easy. It’s the follow-through that gets most people by the throat.
Distraction isn’t taboo. It’s normal. Embrace it, know it will happen, then do all you can to avoid it. Try these strategies to persevering even in the face of the apathy that can creep in so slowly you don’t even know it’s there until it’s sapped you of your will to reach your goals.
- Narrow down your goals: If you find yourself losing focus too easily, it could be that you’re over-burdening yourself. Instead of setting a checklist of lofty goals, stick with between one and three. Don’t even think of other goals until you can check those off. Reaching your full vision on two goals is much more effective than making partial progress on five goals that never see a resolution.
- Compile a vision board: This is essentially a collection of pictures and images that represent your goals and dreams. Designed to help you more clearly visualize your end goals, a vision board can inspire you to take consistent action, points out Business Insider. It can also remind you of your goals every day when you glance at the board, so put it in a prominent place in order to reinforce your goals daily.
- Break down your goals into manageable chunks: One overwhelming goal can actually distance you from the vision. Instead of setting one large goal, break it up into several small ones that you can check off after you’ve achieved them. This will reduce the chances of discouragement and procrastination. Taking a breather in between can bolster your confidence and inspire you to go on.
- Track results: How can you know if you’re getting closer to your goal if you don’t track results? Identify one to two performance metrics and review them daily or weekly, whatever works for you. View them as a connection to your end goal — a weathervane of guidance, if you will. Use these metrics to stay on track or adjust your plan as needed.
The crux of any goal is to create a set of action plans, followed by immediate action to keep positive momentum moving forward. Success can only come about by persistence, perseverance, and consistent follow-through.
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