Do you have a good goal-setting exercise to recommend?

Hi Michelle,

I want to help employees find a goal that’s right for them as individuals and discuss our choices
as a team. What do you recommend?

Thanks for reaching out. Your question will benefit our readers. GC uses a fill-in-the-blank exercise in Managing Multiple Priorities training events and it’s been a hit. It’s easy, fun, and impactful to take at least one answer to an action stage.

Instruct people to fill in answers for just the items that resonate with them. It’s OK to skip a few. All answers (but one) are confidential. All team members share one response with their team and what they plan to do regarding the one item most relevant to them now.

Set another meeting now for a few months down the road. This follow-up meeting includes reports to the group about how they’re doing with their goal.

My favorite questions in both categories (because they can be life-changing) are listed at #8.

Emerson wrote, “Once you make a decision the whole world conspires to make it happen.”
I love that quote, and see it manifest in the real world daily with our coaching and training clients.

What’s working for you these days?

1. No matter how busy I get, I allow time for the healthy habit of _________.
2. My goals are well-defined when it comes to _________.
3. I engage in positive self-talk about _________.
4. I rarely procrastinate about _________.
5. I’m proud to work where I do because _________.
6. I make time to praise people for _________.
7. I’ve improved my skills recently in _________.
8. I am happiest when I’m _________.

What’s working against you?

1. I engage in negative self-talk when _________.
2. I spend too much time on the unhealthy habit of _________.
3. I don’t yet have well-defined goals when it comes to _________.
4. My energy lags when I _________.
5. I can be a negative influence on others when _________.
6. I could put more faith in myself when it comes to _________.
7. A change I’ve been wanting to make but haven’t yet is _________.
8. One thing I wish I’d do every day is _________.

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