Cocktails with Carl
This will be the third year in a row publishing the below post in December. I have made a few small updates.
The close of the year is always a good time to reflect. What’s been accomplished? Where did you stumble? What’s the plan for next year? I’d recommend using the below methodology to take you through a goal setting process. It’s thorough-but not intimidating. And it’s worked well for me for a number of years.
Goals: Set, Evaluate & Reset
First, a note about goal setting in general. I’m a huge proponent of setting goals and personally have been a goal setter for years. I think it’s something I picked up in my years as an athlete. There was always something bigger and better to strive for and I learned from my coaches at an early age that it was a good idea to write down what I wanted to accomplish. At the end of each season I would go through an evaluation period, matching up my goals with what I actually achieved. This would then shape the goals I set for the off season moving forward.
When it comes to my personal relationships, I very much prefer to be around people that are goal oriented. Not only do we have a certain mindset in common, it’s energizing to be around people that are striving for improvement. Once that goes away, we’ve resigned ourselves to meandering through life with nothing left to accomplish. That doesn’t feel good to me.
The same thing goes for hiring team members for our company. Personal improvement is listed in our core values. What that means is we desire to have people that are looking to elevate their knowledge and performance. That could be indicated in a number of ways from learning a new skill to attending a trade conference to reading a book. The list goes on. When I speak to a current team member or interview a potential employee and ask what their goals are and they do not have an answer, it concerns me. For the most part it signals to me that they aren’t a self-starter and that they are going to be waiting for somebody else to tell them what to do. That usually doesn’t bode well in our organization long term.
So...my advice for those that are not goal oriented is to go through a change of mindset. It’s not complicated and you can start small if you are intimidated by the idea. Even better, now is actually the perfect time to consider a change of heart. The year is coming to a close and we can wipe the slate clean while a fresh, new year is about to start.
Below is a template that I use as a guide to go through my goal setting each year. Feel free to use it or develop your own that works for you.
1. Reflection and quiet time-Before starting, set specific time aside on your calendar to be alone and really think about what you desire. It might take more than 1 session.
2. Dream-As you go through reflection, start writing down anything that comes to mind that is important to you or that you dream about accomplishing one day. Keep good notes. As part of this exercise, make sure you take the time to create or change your own personal core values. Certain life events may force you to change your value system, and that’s ok.
3. Prioritize those things you’ve written down as part of #2. Start to get focused.
4. Categorize your goals accordingly. It doesn’t mean you need to find something in all the categories you list-but they can provide some needed focus. For example, I use the following 6:
Physical: losing weight, running a marathon, etc.
Professional: business/job related
Intellectual: Reading books, taking a class, etc.
Spiritual: religious, meditational, devotional, etc.
Familial/Social: friends and family related
Financial: paying off debt, saving for a new house, etc.
5. Make them specific and measurable. See examples below.
I want to lose weight vs I’m going to lose 20 lbs.
I am going to reduce my debt vs. I am going to pay down $10,000.
I am going to increase my sales vs I am going to grow sales 15%.
6. Give them a definitive timeline. See examples below.
I am going to lose 20 lbs before the end of June.
I am going to pay down $10,000 in debt by the end of Q1.
I am going to grow sales 15% year over year.
7. Make sure they reside in between attainable and “never gonna happen”. In other words, you should be pushing yourself slightly beyond what is attainable but nothing completely unrealistic.
8. Set a manageable amount of goals. This is up to the individual, but if I am mentoring someone and they give me a list of 50 goals they want to achieve, I will probably ask them to pare it down.
9. They have to be YOUR goals, not the desires of somebody else. Own them.
10. They need to be written down.
11. Internal and external accountability.
Internal accountability is to review and reflect on your own while being honest with yourself. Set time aside on your calendar regularly to do this.
External accountability is to review and reflect with someone you trust. You show vulnerability by transparently sharing your goals and they add value by being honest and tough in return.
My final piece of advice is to really pay attention to the underlined words/guidelines provided. If you don’t you’ll just make it much harder than it needs to be. By setting goals for the new year, you’re already ahead in the game. Stay disciplined to your plan and review it often and you should start to experience the satisfaction of achievement.
Good luck!
Cocktail Recipe: The Grinch
Apropos for a Christmas party!
Sugar
Finely Chopped Mint Leaves
2 ozs Vodka
Juice from ½ a Lime
Juice from ½ a Grapefruit
2 tsp Honey
1-2 Jalapeno Slices
Ginger Beer
Mint Sprig and/or Pomegranate Arils for Garnish
Pour sugar and mint leaves on a plate, run a lime wedge around the rim of a cocktail glass and dip the rim into the sugar and mint leaves. Fill the glass with ice. Combine the vodka, lime juice, grapefruit juice, honey, and jalapeno slices into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake to incorporate. Strain into your glass and top with ginger beer. Garnish with mint sprig and/or pomegranate arils. Enjoy!
