Goal Crushing 101: Goal-Setting Frameworks
What framework should you use to create an achievable goal? That will depend on the circumstances that you need the goal for, however, I am going to highlight OKR Goals, SMART Goals, PACT Goals, and Backward Goal Setting which I believe could help my fellow small business owners and individuals. In this post, I will explain why a goal-setting framework is important, how the four different frameworks can be utilized, and a few tips I have learned along the way in writing my own goals. This can help be your guide in creating a goal that will work for you and your business.
What is a goal-setting framework and why does it matter?
A goal-setting framework is a step-by-step process to providing an essential outline that will help you define your end goal. As we mentioned in our last post, a goal can help you stay focused as well as increase your productivity. The framework will provide the means necessary for you to write a goal that is clear and how to achieve the goal.
How to Choose Your Framework
Before you can choose, you first need to know what each framework is and how it can be utilized.
1. OKR Goals
OKR is an abbreviation for Objectives and Key Results.
- Objectives should align with your mission and strategy to provide direction and focus and are determined, high-quality descriptions of what needs to be accomplished.
- Key Results are typically smaller goals set at multiple levels that should be challenging yet achievable and are measured outcomes to show progress toward the objective.
OKR goals are usually set quarterly, however the timeframe can vary depending on what is needed. It is a flexible framework that can be adapted which makes it popular among companies striving for growth.
Used by companies such as LinkedIn, Adobe, Google, Microsoft, and Spotify.
For more information on OKR Goals, take a look at "What are objectives and key results (OKRs)?" written by Julia Martins at Asana.
2. SMART Goals
S.M.A.R.T. is an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound.
- Specific goals should be clearly defined and should answer the questions of who, what, where, when, and why.
- Measurable allows for progress to be tracked and should answer questions like how much, how many, or how will I know when it is accomplished.
- Achievable goals should be realistic and attainable, and consider the resources, skills, and time available to accomplish the goal.
- Relevant means the goal should align with broader objectives and priorities, and should be meaningful to the individual or organization setting the goal.
- Time-bound is to provide a sense of urgency and focus, goals should have a deadline or timeframe for completion and will ensure that progress is made within a set timeframe.
Individuals and organizations can create goals that are well-defined, actionable, and aligned with their objectives. They are commonly used in personal development, project management, and performance evaluation.
For more information on SMART Goals, check out "The Ultimate Guide To S.M.A.R.T. Goals" written by Kimberlee Leonard and Rob Watts at Forbes.
3. PACT Goals
P.A.C.T. stands for Purpose, Action, Commitment, and Trackable which was introduced by Paul J. Meyer in his book “Attitude is Everything”.
- Purpose is to clearly define the specific outcome or result you want to achieve by identifying the end goal or objective you are working towards.
- Action identifies the specific steps or actions needed to reach your goal by breaking it down into manageable tasks and creating a plan.
- Commitment emphasizes the importance of your dedication to achieving your goal and making a firm commitment to follow through on your action plan.
- Trackable allows you to see how much you have achieved from where you started, and to evaluate the effectiveness of your plan.
While PACT goals are similar to SMART goals, PACT goals allow for a more emotional approach to determining your goal and how you will achieve it. Often used for short-term, highly achievable goals.
For more information on PACT Goals, take a look at "MEET PACT: THE GOAL SETTING TECHNIQUE YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF" written by Tammy Salmon-Stephens at The National Society of Leadership and Success.
4. Backward Goal Setting
Backward Goal Setting is just that, backwards! You start with the desired outcome or goal and then work backward to figure out the steps needed to achieve it, and it is sometimes known as backward planning.
- Define the End Goal by starting with a well-defined, measurable objective that aligns with your overall vision or purpose and clearly define the specific goal you want to achieve.
- Identify Milestones by breaking down your goal into smaller milestones that mark progress toward the outcome which will serve as checkpoints for tracking.
- Determine the Steps needed to accomplish the end goal as well as the resources you will need at each stage to create an outline or roadmap that will help to guide you closer to your desired outcome.
- Create a Timeline to ensure progress is continuously being made at each step or milestone.
- Execute the Plan and start working toward your goal while monitoring your progress regularly to make adjustments as needed.
Backward goal setting can be a highly effective approach because it provides clarity on what needs to be done and helps you prioritize your efforts based on what will have the most significant impact on achieving your goal. It also helps prevent aimless wandering or getting bogged down in unimportant tasks by keeping the focus squarely on the desired endpoint. Used often in education, training, or career planning.
For more information on backward goal setting, check out "Backward Planning: Key to Accomplishing Your Goals" written by Marie Biancuzzo.
Tips I Have Learned
- Dig deep to be able to accept and truly understand your limitations so you can realistically put the time into your end goal.
- Create multiple drafts of your goal as you figure out how to define it and keep rewriting it until you have a clear objective.
- Research, research, research! If you are not sure how to even begin, start by researching and then work backward.
- Take it one step at a time, you will always be readjusting, tweaking, or trying to improve your goal. That's where a timeline helps so your inner perfectionist doesn't get the better of you (trust me, I know)!
With each goal-setting framework, you now have more information in choosing which step-by-step process will work best in providing the outline to help you define your end goal. In some version or another, you may have already utilized one of these frameworks or maybe you have been missing a few steps or pieces to make it successful. Each framework has similarities in the basic structure which are to clearly define your end goal, create steps or smaller goals to reach your objective, and make the goal trackable. The differences are where you can choose what will work best for you. Try to remember that these are just guides, and your goals should always be changing to fit your growth in life and business.
Let me know in the comments if you found this helpful and if there is something you want to see more information about!
If you did not get a chance to read our last post, click here to learn the three key elements needed to create the backbone of a goal.
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References:
https://asana.com/resources/okr-meaning
https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/smart-goals/
https://coachmariebiancuzzo.com/2022/10/04/backward-planning-key-to-accomplishing-your-goals/