We know all about goals. We understand its purpose and importance. Have you ever considered whether there are different categories or types of goals? Depending on the desired outcome, different types of goals should be considered. Different categories of goals would also require different types of questions to be asked and answered.
I find that there are 3 basic categories of goals.
- Reflective or Assessment type goals. This type of goals aim to achieve changes as a result of assessment from past results and actions. Therefore there are 4 key questions that needs to be answered:
- “What would I change?”. Questions that focus on assessment of a performance and what development changes needs to place.
- “What went well and what did not?”. Questions that focuses around objectively identifying the positives and negatives. Reflecting on what was good and what bad.
- “How could I be better?”. Questions that focuses around improvements whether its increasing sales performance or improving running times etc.
- “What do I need to stop or start doing?”. Questions that would focus around actions or behavior that should be changed or stop altogether and new actions that needs to be taken.
- The “Future or Impossible” goals:
- “What if?”. Questions that would bring about future oriented goals. For example,
- What if I could do whatever I loved, what would it be?
- What if I could change one thing, what would it be?
- What if there were no risk in doing something, would I do it.
- “No limits”. Questions that would help you to explore options that far beyond your current perspective. Questions such as
- If you could do anything you want, what would it be?
- If you had no fear, what would you do?
- What do you love doing that you would do if not for …?
- “Dream”. Questions would center around your greatest dream or passion.
- What have you been dreaming of doing?
- What are you most passionate about and would do if …?
- The “present reality” goals: Goals that are measured by achieving them in the now and in the moment. These are the most goals and they would consist of answering questions:
- “How much and time bound” Questions that would lead to goals that are very specific and time sensitive. For example,
- How much weight do I want to lose in the next week?
- What do I need to do to achieve that outcome in the next week?
- “Resource requirements” considerations and questions. Questions that would have assistance and structure support in order to achieve the goal. For example,
- what assistance do I need to achieve the goal?
- What additional resources do I need to ask for?
- What is the budget requirements?
- “Fix-It”
- What do I need to fix now?
- What do I need to modify?
- What changes to the process do I need to make?
- “What To do next” Questions that would focus on the next steps. Questions such as,
- What would you do next?
- What are the next steps in this process?
A simple and structured way to identify and ask the relevant questions to achieve the outcomes that you desire. This will also help you focus on the goals that you want to achieve without being a little haphazard with the questions that you are asking yourself or your team.
Lisa Lam : Coach | Trainer | Consultant 