Set Smart Goals and Achieve Success

Setting realistic measurable goals leads to success. Now you can learn the strategies to ensure you set and achieve your individual, team and organizational goals. And learn how to manage the obstacles and master your goal-setting to deliver successful outcomes.

In this course we cover three sections: • SECTION 1: Set and Achieve SMART Goals • SECTION 2: Determine Objectives and Key Results • SECTION 3: Use GOALS to GROW

Section 1: Set and Achieve SMART Goals

Setting goals helps us identify the direction we want to go in, and where to concentrate our energy. But we also need a plan to guide the process of achieving our goals. The key is to aim high but remain realistic, and use short-term or mini-goals to help us achieve the final goal.

In this first section you will see four short videos: • GOALS to Results • Set and Achieve Goals • How to Achieve SMART Goals • Hope Theory at Work

GOALS to Results is a video in which psychologist Eve Ash explains how to achieve desired results with your goals. Having goals is worthwhile, but creating a strategy to achieve your GOALS makes them more achievable. They ground and direct your actions.

Learn the GOALS formula: • Generate the key aspirations you want to achieve. • Organize your goals into manageable steps and checklists. • Activate your positive attitude by visualizing the results. • Learn new skills; breaking out of old habits. • Share your success, recognizing those who supported you and mentoring others.

Set and Achieve Goals is a video with case study clips from Cutting Edge. To be successful at work it is important to set goals. Goals give us focus and direction, but goals are not enough on their own. Committing to the process is what makes the difference. An action plan is needed to keep us on track, to make progress and achieve long-term goals. In this video you will learn to:

• Determine your goals. • Ensure goals are realistic. • Set specific measurable goals. • Achieve results within timeframe. • Be persistent with SMART goals.

How to Achieve SMART Goals is a video with case study clips from Cutting Edge. Goals are more than vague aspirations. They are clear and specific objectives to help you succeed. They may be short-term goals, daily, weekly, or longer term goals, quarterly, yearly, or lifelong. The goals you set need to be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and have a time frame. Visualizing achieving your goals can help you succeed. You will need to be persistent, evaluate your goals and ask for feedback and help from a mentor.

In this video, you will learn to apply the SMART goal formula and a persistence formula to achieve goals: • Be Specific with your goals. • Set Measurable Achievable goals. • Ensure Relevant goals in a Timeframe. • Persist, Evaluate, Ask for feedback.

Hope Theory at Work is a video that explains how Hope Theory gives people a stronger chance of achieving goals, especially SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and timely). People need to visualize what they want, devise logical pathways to ensure it happens, consider alternate pathways for setbacks, stay motivated and plan rewards for when they get there. In this video you will learn: • Why we need hope at work and how to apply Hope Theory. • How to achieve SMART goals with Hope Theory. • To create a hope map to achieve goals. • To anticipate and see opportunities in obstacles.

Section 2: Determine Objectives and Key Results

In this section you will see two short videos: • What is OKR? Objectives and Key Results • KPIs are SMART Targets

What is OKR? Objectives and Key Results is a video that explores how to apply OKRs to sharpen team performance. By classifying and executing specific plans and activities on a quarterly basis, key results are more readily obtained, and objectives for each quarter suddenly come within reach.

There are all sorts of goal-setting frameworks for organizations, but an especially useful one is OKRs (Objectives and Key Results). OKRs have been developed for teams to simultaneously focus on what needs doing here and now, while staying aligned with objectives and broader company strategy.

In this video you will learn that: • OKRs are a useful framework for setting and achieving goals. • Objectives are specific concrete outcomes and best set quarterly. • Teams should focus on 3-5 key results per objective, that measure how each objective will be achieved. • A clear inspiring objective, set each quarter, supports your company vision and mission. • Key results should be aligned to the objectives and measurable. • Specific plans and activities should ensure that key results are met. • OKRs are a way to measure strategy progress throughout the year. • Staff should be encouraged to develop plans and activities together and come up with ideas for how to display their key results.

KPIs are SMART Targets is a video presented by psychologist Eve Ash, outlining how short and long-term KPIs can be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Timely.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are well-established in the world of business – they are outcomes-based statements of progress towards stated goals. While KPIs are used to assess the corporate strategies and operational activities of a business, individuals frequently have their own personal KPIs, as part of regular performance reviews.

You will learn that the most effective KPIs are SMART: • Specific – state clearly what the KPI is measuring. • Measurable – assess the KPI against other specific criteria or standards. • Achievable – make sure the KPI can be delivered. • Relevant – reflect and are relevant to the organization's objectives. • Timely – have a timeframe for when the KPI will be delivered.

Section 3: Use GOALS to GROW

Goals are statements of what you want to achieve and how you plan to do it. Goals can be set in a variety of different areas but limit the number of goals you are working on at the one time, so you can give each goal the attention it deserves.

In this section you will see two videos: • Setting Goals to Stretch and Grow • Using Goals to GROW

Setting Goals to Stretch and Grow is a video presented by psychologist Eve Ash who discusses with Jan Durrans, Executive Vice President, Chief of Staff and Chief Performance Officer (CPO) at Axos Bank how to motivate teams to achieve goals. Setting clear, measurable goals and developing mutual trust and confidence are a recipe for staff performance success.

In this video you will learn about: • Knowing which elements of each person’s role is key to driving outcomes. • Setting clear, specific goals. • Quantifying and tiering goals for fine-tuning the team’s chance of meeting goals. • Regularly reviewing tasks, projects, timelines and goals with the team. • Collaborating with and coaching your team to success. • Being responsible for helping them to achieve and grow.

Using Goals to GROW is the final video, showing an amusing case study from the Cutting Edge team. You will see how important it is to set goals that help us focus on the process and performance as well as on the outcomes. Following a clear goal setting formula puts the focus on the process not just on the end result. This kind of goal setting is an effective way to increase motivation and productivity.

In this video you will learn to: • Define goals to achieve • Assess gaps realistically • See options and opportunities • Convert options into actions