Great Objectives ensure you achieve your hearts desires…
Having a vision, or “grand design” is one thing – but without activities it will always remain only a vision!
The best objectives, and by that I mean ones that are achieved and celebrated, all have these elements in common:
1. Good Wording
– start your objective with a verb (doing word) to focus on keeping you moving
Ask what are you going to do?
e.g. what activities will achieve this goal?
2. Once Clear Measure
– include a metric; Dollars, Number of, Percentage
Ask how will we capture progress?
e.g. number of sit-ups in one minute
3. Realistic Target
– lock in an end value; make it a stretch but achievable
Ask where do you want the measure to get to?
e.g. 20 sit-ups in one minute
4. Timeframe
– a period during which you will achieve the target
Ask by when will the target be reached?
e.g. by 1 Feb 2026
5. Actions
– activities undertaken to stay on track and achieve objective
Ask what actions to you need to take this week/month to move you closer to your target?
e.g. start by doing 20 sit-ups every third day and increase my sit-up speed to reach target
6. Tracking
– regular monitoring of progress and adjustment of actions if needed
Ask how are we going?
e.g. do a time trial once a week and log in diary to assess if I need to make any changes
It is easy to set any old goal – harder to set worthwhile and achievable ones for more information try this article – 5 Ways to Set More Achievable Goals .
