As we kick off the new year, one of the most powerful ways to build better outcomes is to have clarity on our most significant goals. Self-leadership matters, because the way in which we lead ourselves directly impacts how we lead others, lead our companies and contribute to the world around us.
Answer these eight questions to help you deepen your understanding of yourself, how you want to lead and how you want to impact the world around you.
- How do I define significance? Significance is highly personal, and it will be different for each person. Having a clear idea in mind of how you personally define significance can help you curate the goals you want to pursue and the impact you want to create.
- What goals have the most significance to me in the next 12 to 24 months? This could be a fresh brainstorm list, or a revisit of your past lists. As we evolve and grow, our goals will, too; it’s an interesting exercise to see what remains significant and what goals have been accomplished.
- What would my future self say about these accomplishments and their impact? As you consider your goals, look with an eye to the future. I was recently advising a CEO considering a major change to the company’s offerings. I questioned the CEO on how long they would be willing to put in sustained effort, because it was likely a multiyear endeavor to achieve the desired result. That question completely changed this CEO’s thinking and next steps.
- What am I willing to say no to? Every time we say yes to one thing, we are saying no to others. It works in the reverse, as well. If something is not in the service of your most important goals, that request or opportunity becomes a no.
- Who can hold me accountable on the journey? Am I willing to be coached and held accountable? In the sales assessment work I do with teams, I measure their level of accountability and coachability. Those two qualities and the actions you follow through on will determine how successful you are in reaching your goals.
- How can I better invest my time, energy, motivation and discipline? Every day, we have a finite amount of these important resources, and how you invest them reflects what you prioritize. Successful individuals are very selective about how they invest. In the pursuit of significance, committing resources to one or two key goals in a year makes you happier, more productive and a better leader.
- How will I celebrate successes along the way? Significant goals take time; they’re more of a marathon than a sprint. They have peaks and valleys, so finding ways to celebrate your progress helps you to weather the challenges.
- What is one skill I’m willing to improve? We all have skills that come easily, and we have skills that challenge us. It’s a sign of self-leadership to risk a bit of vulnerability to improve. Not all skills need improvement, as we may outsource or seek help to shore up a weak area. But is there one skill of significance, that if you improved, would make a tangible difference in your impact? That’s the skill that deserves your time and energy.
Reaching our most significant goals in 2023 will begin with a willingness to build self-leadership. Self-leadership leads to stronger people leadership, better outcomes and true impact. ●
Amy Franko is CEO and LinkedIn Top Sales Voice at Amy Franko Associates
