Goal-setting and Follow-Through: Markers for Success

Dear WSA Member, I write this for you at the halfway point of 2019, which is a perfect time to reflect on questions like:  Did you write down your goals?  Did you share them?  What worked for you?  What didn’t? If you have set goals for this year I commend you.  If you haven’t, what is stopping you?  I thought it might be helpful to share a goal-setting framework that I use.  Last year I joined an organization that challenged me to unlock my potential.  This goal-setting process came from the time I have spent with the amazing people at Junto which I feel will benefit anyone who can put this discipline into practice. I personally learn by doing, so I will share with you how I approached this.   Start with your definite major purpose.  What is your mission?  Why do you do what you do? For me it is “To help the insurance industry become more efficient.” As a sweeping company operator, what do you need to do to achieve your purpose, which may be, for example, “developing long-term, mutually beneficial business relationships.” State your values. Your personal values are important when setting goals.  Everything you intend on accomplishing with your goals should align with your core values.  Community, Creativity, Encouragement, Innovation, and Learning are fundamental to every goal I set.  If I set a goal that does not support one of these values then I am not committed or passionate about completing it. Define your vision.  Napoleon Hill puts it this way “Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve.” There are several resources out there to help you define your vision. Cameron Herold provides an excellent method as does Gino Wickman with his Entrepreneurial Operating System.  The idea is to have a clear and simple vision so you can set proper goals to achieve it.  Set your goals.  Start with an annual goal.  Then, break that goal into quarterly goals.  Since we are starting the 3rd quarter, if you set goals at the first of the year, were you mostly on track for your first two quarters? One thing that helps is to break your quarterly goals down into smaller monthly goals, which get marked off as completed with the outcomes. At the end of every month reassess the goals based on real life but try to stay focused on your goals as you begin each week. Ideally you are going to come up with a goal-setting strategy, if you don’t already have one, that stays true to your major purpose and mission.  This “why you do what you do” is fundamental to staying true to your core values, which will ultimately help you achieve your goal.  Start with a 10-year plan, which is followed by a three year picture of what that looks like.  Then, you can work on annual goals that are broken down by quarter, month and even by the week. Let me know what your goals are and how I can help you accomplish them!  If you have some ideas or resources to share on goal-setting please send me an email to phil@binddesk.com. Thank you for the investment of your time. As always, we welcome the opportunity to improve your insurance strategy as your goals propel you into future growth! Sincerely,         Phil Duncan, CEO, BindDesk and Broker, Maximus Insurance Agency, Inc. Call: 619-684-3851