Goal Setting Exercise

Goal setting exercise is a powerful tool that helps individuals and teams to create specific, measurable, and achieveable objectives. This method encourages accountability, focuses the mind, and motivates action. This article describes three effective goal setting exercises and provides tips for their successful execution.

1. Standing Ovation

Description

The Standing Ovation exercise is a team-based activity where participants close their eyes and imagine achieving their set goals. This mental exercise helps align personal objectives with the larger company goals. To execute this exercise, you can divide your team into pairs or small groups and have them switch the person performing each iteration.

Steps

1. Begin with a brief introduction to the exercise and explain the concept of SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound).

2. Create a comfortable space where your team can gather comfortably.

3. Have your team participate in the Standing Ovation exercise by closing their eyes and visualizing themselves accomplishing their objectives.

4. After their visualization, have them open their eyes and write down their goals and the steps it took to get there.

2. Reflect Your Yesterday

Description

Reflecting on your past workday is an excellent way to set goals for the upcoming day. This exercise helps you understand your current capability and allows you to set achievable goals that will help you focus on the tasks at hand.

Steps

1. Take a piece of paper and write down your name.

2. Reflect on your actions and accomplishments from yesterday.

3. Make a list of your goals for today, focusing on being specific and measurable.

4. Review your list with your team and discuss shared goals.

3. Sticky Notes for One or Many

Description

Sticky Notes for One or Many is a goal setting exercise that encourages collaboration and collective brainstorming. This activity can be done with one or multiple participants and helps identify the most important goals and opportunities for your team.

Steps

1. Take a blank sheet of paper and write down your goals on sticky notes.

2. Share your sticky notes with your team and use them as a visual reminder of your objectives.

3. Encourage your team to contribute their own sticky notes with their goals.

4. Review your shared list and discuss any overlapping or similar goals.

5. Create a visual representation of your goals using the sticky notes as a map to guide your efforts.