New year, new goals! But before you head to the whiteboard to outline your anticipated wins and plan ahead with the team, take a moment to consider the context they’re being made in. During these past two years, stress, burnout, market changes, and the need to adjust to endless change have been common themes for workers, leaders, and program managers alike. When setting goals for 2022, be mindful of this context so that you can walk the line between aspirational and achievable – and take your organization to the next level while staying true to your mission.
1. Identify the Opportunities in Front of You.
You’re an expert in your field, something that has brought plenty of opportunities your way in terms of connections, leads, and market intel. When setting your 2022 organizational goals, start with the low-hanging fruit – the things right in front of you – and go from there. Just because it’s easy doesn’t mean it’s worthless. In fact, it probably only seems easy because you and your team have put in all the groundwork needed to make it this far.
2. Draw Inspiration From Your Organizational Mission.
You and your team are in this for a reason. You’re committed to your organizational mission. Put pen to paper and jot down the mission-relevant things that first come to mind, and that you’re most excited by. What victories have meant the most to you and your team? What opportunities collectively excite you? When you’re prioritizing the things that matter most to your shared mission, you’ll be that much more likely to succeed.
3. Know the Difference Between Goals and Dreams.
Burning ambition is an admirable trait. But it’s critical that you back up those big-picture dreams with a concrete, achievable path for getting there. Goals are things that you can identify, measure, and achieve as a team or organization – not through luck alone. Define exactly what success looks like, when it needs to be achieved by, and what resources, personnel, or expertise you’ll need to get there – then follow your game plan to a T.
4. Small Goals Can Mean Big Payoff.
We all love the dopamine buzz we get when we complete a task. Position your organization for success by creating goals that can be divided up into a series of smaller, incremental tasks. And think beyond the standard work metrics to include things like professional development, training, time off, team bonding, and new tech. For example, a goal to not work past 5:00pm each night is one that your whole organization will want to keep – and on the plus side, it’ll encourage your team to use their time wisely during the day.
5. Don’t Goal-Set in a Vacuum.
You’re part of a team, so loop in that team on your goal-setting. Invite your team or organization as a whole to identify the things they want – or don’t want – to see in 2022, and to put forward their own individual and group goals so you can see where you’re aligned. You can gather this information during a team meeting or asynchronously through file upload or chat services, or put together surveys and quizzes to see where people stand. Getting everyone on the same page and highlighting shared goals and plans will reduce friction and encourage organizational buy-in.
Before you get your team or organization together to discuss your 2022 goals, talk to See In Colors. Our graphic recording and sketchnote services provide a powerful visual aid that ensures everyone’s voice is being heard – and that your whole team has a comprehensive snapshot of your 2022 goal-setting discussion.
Here’s to a high-impact 2022!
Lisa
