Achieving Peak Performance Through Effective Goal Setting
Achieving Peak Performance Through Effective Goal Setting
Research shows that goals that are written are 80% more likely to be accomplished. Before we can set effective goals that are meaningful and motivating, we need to be in the proper mindset.
A peak performance mindset begins with changing your limiting beliefs into liberating beliefs. Research shows that 80% of our success comes from our mindset and 20% from our skills. Given that statistic, it is imperative that we understand some of the hurdles that stand in our way of that success. The National Science Foundation has found that we have 60,000 thoughts each day, with 48,000 of them being negative. So, the negative mindset is paralyzing our ability to reach our goals day in and day out.
The question is, how do we overcome these negative thoughts to break through and reach our goals? Author, Shawn Achor, outlines in his book, Before Happiness, that people with a happy mindset are 23% more energetic, 31% more productive, 300% more creative and sell 38% more! For those of us who are in sales, and we all are in some way, this is great news.
In addition to finding ways to get into a happy mindset, we need to get into a growth mindset. Dr. Carol Dweck, the leading authority on growth mindset, “the only thing that separates people who succeed from those who don’t is whether or not they have a growth mindset.” Therefore, you don’t want to get stuck in a rigid and repetitive mindset that keeps inhibiting your potential for success. Those with a growth mindset are typically open to learning, embrace challenges, see efforts as a way to success and persist in the face of adversity, all of which are essential to reaching peak performance goals.
Since “goals are the pathway to your destination,” there are four steps to goal achievement.
- Visualize your goals. When you can visualize your goals, with a wall of dreams or vision board, your ability to define and reach those goals becomes infinitely more achievable.
- Write down your goals! – Goals that are written are 97% more achievable!
- Reflect \ After Action Report – Reflection, especially with a coach or mentor, is key in setting effective goals. Reflecting on why you are achieving allows you to understand the steps taken to achieve, while also reflecting on the reasons why you failed to achieve is key in learning the why behind the actions that lead to coming up short. In the business setting, you can use After Action Reports to reflect on the successes and failures in your business goals.
- Define the purpose for your goals. “The bigger the why the bigger the try.” I usually recommend a personal brand statement, a family motto, or what you would want written on your tombstone. As a proud husband and father of three boys, my personal purpose statement is “thank you, you showed us how to have fun, live life, love unconditionally and be respectful.” For my business, G3 Development Group’s purpose is “planting seeds of emergence” in every customer interaction we have. Meaning, everything we work on together will continue to emerge and bring value in time.
Finally, in the goal setting worksheet that I can send to you ([email protected]), there is a space for you to list your talents (Gallup Strengthsfinder), so that you are always becoming the best version of yourself, there’s a place to paste your vision board, and there is a signature box. Since everything that has serious consequences in life requires a signature, your goals should also. This is your way of taking ownership to your goal!
So wake up tomorrow, smile, embrace the challenges ahead of you with enthusiasm and reap the benefits of success! You’ve got this!
Gregg Frederick, CSE, MBA
