I just got back from a fundraising conference last week. If you’ve ever been to a big professional conference, you can probably picture the exhibit hall.
It’s a seemingly endless maze of booths filled with shiny, happy people. They greet you by your first name as you walk up and are overly attentive (while being somewhat distant).
Saying “no thanks” to all the branded swag being shoved in your face is a valuable skill—unless you want to buy a new suitcase to take it all home. And by the end of the conference, you’re entered to win four iPads and 17 Amazon gift cards from companies you have no interest in doing business with.
At these marketplace madhouses, the name of the game is standing out and getting people into the booth. Whether that’s a comfy oversized chair to rest your feet or a giant screen to play Space Invaders on, attention is the name of the game.
Which is why in all the sensory overload, one booth stood out to me. It was well designed, with a beautiful campsite scene. But what stood out to me they had nothing to tell me what they did or how they could help my organization. They had a name, and nothing else.
It’s clear they have a lot of creativity, but it’s not clear whether they can apply that creativity to help me achieve my professional goals.
Yes, they captured my attention, but they failed to connect with me.
How many of your dreams remain unnamed and vague? They are pleasant to think about, but they get drowned out in a sea of distractions—distractions that have clear, albeit unproductive, motives.
If we’re serious about our goals, we have to move beyond saying, “oh that would be cool.” We need clarity and intention around our goals before we can realistically hope to achieve them.
The pressures and deadlines of everyday life will choke out your goals if you don’t take the right action today.
Here are six things you can do to create clarity and give your goals an identity, so they’re not lost like this booth at my conference.
Understand your “why”
In fundraising we say it’s not about the money. It’s about what the money can accomplish—all the good in the world it makes happen. The same is true for your goals.
Writing a book isn’t about seeing it displayed in Barnes and Noble. It’s about building your authority and reach and sharing your perspective with others who can benefit from it.
Running a marathon isn’t about covering 26 miles. It’s about proving to yourself that you have what it takes or maybe it’s part of a health journey.
Understand and acknowledge the real reason behind your goals. This will make it easier to stay focused and committed, especially when things get difficult.
Write an elevator pitch
An elevator pitch is a clear and concise statement you practice so when someone asks about your goals you can describe them quicky and easily.
If your “why” reminds you of why your goal is important to you, your elevator pitch tells everyone else why they should care about your goals.
It reveals why your product will revolutionize their business.
It highlights the benefits or outcome achieving your goal will bring.
Don’t rely on your brain to come up with a poignant and informative explanation of your goals on the spot. Plan and practice your answer for maximum impact.
Identify necessary resources
Imagine if your friend asked you to play ball with them but didn’t tell you which sport you are playing. Do you need a bat and glove, some cleats and a helmet, or your gym shoes?
Not identifying the resources necessary to reach your goal feels the same way.
This certainly applies to knowing the budgetary resources needed but it’s not limited to money. Knowing how much time it will require to achieve your goal is another big factor to consider.
Track your progress with milestones
Goals—especially big ones—are often scary and intimidating. It’s common to not know where to start on a really big goal.
Breaking your goals into smaller steps is a great way to make them feel more manageable. It’s not as intimidating to take one step at a time toward the finish line.
Start by identifying all the major elements needed to complete your goal. Then start breaking those down into individual tasks. Keep going until your goal journey is all mapped out.
Remember, milestones should always have a deadline associated with them. This creates urgency and provides focus. This may mean creating a deadline for milestones that are naturally time-bound.
Know what success looks like
This is a tricky one. Believe it or not, a lot of goals are set without a clear understanding of what success looks like.
Take the Wholistic Productivity Podcast for example. If my goal was to launch a podcast, would that mean recording one episode would qualify as success? Not for me at least.
In defining success for the podcast, I set a specific launch date for the first three episodes. I said I wanted to produce a new episode every week. I identified people I wanted to interview on the show. And I defined other outcomes for sponsors, audience, and so one.
Because there are so many data points associated with that goal, I can easily determine whether I’ve achieved my goal or not. (By the way, you should listen to it right after reading this blog)!
Plan your celebration
Stephen R. Covey said, “Start with the end in mind.” That also applies to how you’ll celebrate after you achieve your goal.
Rewarding yourself for achieving your goal or even reaching a big milestone can keep you motivated when things get difficult.
Your celebration should be appropriate for the size of the goal you achieved. In other words, don’t treat yourself to a week in Hawaii just because you stuck to your workout routine for a month.
Just remember, your celebration shouldn’t replace your “why” as the reason you want to achieve your goals. They are simply a way to recognize and reward the effort of bringing that “why” to life.
We have to make our goals stand out from all the other thoughts and activities we’re a part of day in and day out. Don’t let your goals—the things that are bringing you happiness and fulfillment in life—fade into obscurity.