Ann, a historian and extreme planner, had an adventurous time touring Greece with her husband. During the trip, she shared photos of places she had learned in her undergraduate program. As they began their return trip, civil unrest occurred blocking all flights to leave Turkey, cruise and all. Quick decision, they decided to get out of the country whichever way they could. Both landed in Paris, only to be separated to get back home to the USA. Separation was a non-issue. Their goal was to return safely to their two kids waiting back home.
Times of Crises
There are times of crises as in Ann’s case. But most often we do have opportunities to plan ahead. Financiers will preach that we should plan for times of crises too.
Why is it important to set goals? Because if you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there. Where you will end up, who knows? That’s when you will just have to go with the flow.
Goalsetting is the process of identifying desired outcomes and creating a plan of action to achieve them, providing a sense of direction, motivation and focus
So why do we need to set goals? Because setting goals is the process of identifying desired outcomes and creating a plan of action to achieve them, providing a sense of direction, motivation and focus.
That’s the reason it a pleasure to facilitate the writing process with authors. The event was held at the Broward County’s West Regional Library in Plantation, Florida. This session focused on Writers Goal Setting for 2026 books through the Writers Group of South Florida.
If you are an aspiring author, or are ready to take your leadership to the next level and need a copy of the Goal-Setting guide, connect to get yours today. Leadership Assessment also available.
Not an author but ready to take your leadership to the next level through setting your 2026 goals, let’s chat. Referrals are warmly welcomed.
Goals are the links in the chain that connect activity to accomplishment. —Zig Ziglar
Another year filled with regret at not achieving the goals Sabrina had set. Throughout her career she had helped others achieve their goals, yet it was at the expense of achieving her own personal goals. Something has to give.
If you are like Sabrina, here are some practical steps to help you achieve your goals:
1.Break Down Large Goals
Divide big goals into smaller, manageable sub-goals
Create a step-by-step action plan
Make each milestone specific and measurable
Set realistic timelines for each sub-goal
2.Develop a Concrete Action Plan
Write down your goals in detail
Specify exactly what you want to achieve
Include specific deadlines
Identify potential obstacles in advance
Create strategies to overcome these obstacles
3.Prioritize and Track Progress
Use tools like:
Goal tracking apps
Physical planners
Digital spreadsheets
Regularly review and assess your progress
Adjust your plan if needed
Celebrate small victories along the way
4. Build Accountability
Share your goals with trusted friends/family
Find an accountability partner
Join support groups related to your goals
Consider working with a coach or mentor
5. Develop Consistent Habits
Create daily/weekly routines supporting your goals
A good coach can change a game. A great coach can change a life.
John Wooden
She ran to the restroom and screamed. Sabrina had a job to do, and her manager knew she could do it well, but she kept questioning her over the past six months. As the year-end drew near, the project was near due. But the constant checking in was more of a time waster than productive. Sabrina became frustrated. How could she tell her manager to allow her to focus?
Coaching employees on career development without resorting to micromanagement requires a delicate balance of support, guidance, and autonomy. As a leadership coach, I recommend employing a coaching approach that fosters individual growth and self-driven progress is important. Here’s a brief summary of 10 tips on how to approach this:
Establish Trusting Relationships: The foundation of effective coaching is trust. Build strong, open, and honest relationships with employees, creating a safe space for them to share their career aspirations, concerns, and challenges.
Active Listening: Actively listen to employees, understand their goals, strengths, and areas for improvement. By attentively hearing their needs, supervisors can tailor coaching discussions to their unique career paths.
Goal Setting: Together with employees, collaboratively set clear, SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals. This ensures that their career objectives are well-defined and realistic.
Empower and Encourage: Instead of micromanaging, empower employees to take ownership of their career development. Encourage them to seek out opportunities, challenge themselves, and take initiative in their professional growth.
Provide Resources: Offer guidance on available resources, such as training programs, workshops, or mentorship opportunities, that can aid employees in acquiring new skills and knowledge aligned with their career goals.
Feedback and Reflection: Promote a culture of continuous feedback and reflection. By offering constructive feedback and encouraging employees to assess their progress, they become more self-aware and adaptable.
Accountability: Employees are encouraged to hold themselves accountable for their career development. As a leadership coach, it is recommended that supervisors help employees establish milestones and regularly check in on their progress without micromanaging their day-to-day tasks.
Supportive Coaching: Through regular coaching sessions, provide a supportive framework where employees can discuss challenges, seek guidance, and refine their strategies for career advancement.
Celebrate Achievements: Recognizing and celebrating milestones and achievements is crucial for motivation. Acknowledge employees’ accomplishments, reinforcing their sense of progress and satisfaction.
Adaptability: Recognize that career paths may evolve, be flexible and adapt coaching strategies to align with changing goals and circumstances.
By coaching employees in this manner, we can empower them to take control of their career development journey. It fosters a sense of autonomy, motivation, and engagement while avoiding the pitfalls of micromanagement. Ultimately, the goal is to help individuals thrive and achieve their career aspirations in a supportive and non-intrusive manner.
