Mastering the Art of Setting Clear Goals
- Brainz Magazine
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
Sheun David Onamusi is a respected and inspiring healthcare collaborator, entrepreneur, and mind coach. He is the founder of Efra Wellbeing, a wellbeing startup, and Still Dapper UK, a bespoke leather goods company. An award-winning author, mentor, and part-time communications advisor to emerging leaders.
When I first began working with startups and mentoring young people nearly two decades ago, I realized that one of the biggest hurdles they face when setting goals is clearly defining what they want to achieve. Many struggle to translate their desires and dreams into actionable and realistic goals that align with their current skill sets. On the other hand, those who can articulate clear goals often find it challenging to identify the specific learning frameworks needed to reach their objectives. Without a clear direction, even the most talented individuals can feel lost or overwhelmed.
Mastering the art of setting clear goals is not just a valuable skill, it is a crucial foundation for achieving success. But how do you navigate through distractions and clearly identify what truly matters? Let’s explore this topic together in this article.
Why clarifying what you want to achieve is more important than the excitement that comes with setting a goal.
Have you ever felt busy but not making any real progress? You may have an endless to-do list that never seems to get shorter. After experiencing this myself, I realized that the issue often stems from unclear objectives. Clarifying your goals involves breaking down broad ambitions into specific, actionable targets. It's about transforming vague ideas into measurable outcomes. When objectives are clear, you can easily determine what to focus on and what to ignore.
This alignment enhances motivation and productivity. Additionally, it enables you to make better decisions, as you have a clear benchmark to measure your progress against. For example, instead of stating, “I want to grow my customer base as a business,” a clearer objective would be, “Increase our customer base by 20% in the next six months through targeted Google Ad campaigns.” Do you see the difference? One is vague, while the other is a clear and measurable plan.
Here’s why it matters to be clear with your goals:
Focus: You avoid distractions and concentrate on what drives results.
Accountability: Clear goals, such as the ones cited above, make it easier to track which channel/tool is responsible for delivering your goal.
Motivation: When targets are achievable, it inspires confidence and momentum.
Measurement: You can evaluate success and adjust strategies quickly.
The science and art of effective goal setting
You might think that goal setting is simple, but it actually involves both science and art. Research indicates that goals are most effective when they are specific, challenging, and achievable. This is where many people struggle, they often set goals that are either too vague or overly ambitious.
One popular framework you have probably come across is the SMART goal-setting tool, which stands for:
Specific: Clear and unambiguous.
Measurable: Quantifiable to track progress.
Achievable: Realistic given resources and constraints.
Relevant: Aligned with broader business aims.
Time-bound: Set within a clear deadline.
While I believe this framework is effective, it primarily emphasizes achieving short-term goals without adequately addressing the long-term impact on motivation. This focus can limit creativity and flexibility, as SMART goals may be too rigid. Instead of solely relying on SMART goals, goal setting should incorporate a growth mindset. This approach involves setting ambitious goals that encourage pushing boundaries while also allowing for learning and adaptation.
For example, instead of setting the initial goal to "Increase sales by 15%," you could say, "Experiment with three new sales channels to boost revenue by 15% within six months." This approach not only fosters innovation while maintaining a clear target, but it also encourages greater ambition and promotes experimentation and learning.
What is an example of a clear goal?
Imagine you are leading a dynamic team at a mid-sized tech company, and you want to improve user engagement on your app. A clear goal could be stated as follows, “Increase daily active users (DAU) by 25% over the next quarter by launching two new in-app features and executing targeted email campaigns.”
Here’s why the above goal is clear and worth exploring:
It specifies the metric (DAU).
It sets a measurable target (25% increase).
It defines the timeframe (next quarter).
It outlines the strategy (new features + email campaigns).
This clarity helps you and your team understand precisely what success looks like and how to achieve it. It also makes it easier to monitor progress and pivot if necessary, ensuring that you are tracking each step of the way.
Practical steps to master the art of setting clear goals
Now that we understand the importance of clear goals and what they should ideally look like, how can we master this skill?
Here are some actionable steps I recommend:
Start with a Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG)
I believe in the power of having an ambitious, long-term goal that your immediate goals can align with. This helps you maintain a big-picture perspective in your goal-setting process. There’s nothing worse than working on a goal that doesn’t bring you any closer to your ultimate North Star. Writing down your BHAG and connecting your immediate goals to it will anchor them in purpose.
Break it down
Working back from the big picture, you want to divide your goal into smaller, manageable objectives before crafting the statement. This step is crucial in the goal-setting process, and I’ve seen many mentees struggle to meet their goals because they overlooked it. By writing down these manageable objectives, such as researching trending marketing channels with the highest ROI, you can focus on the right areas.
Track each goal
It’s essential to keep a detailed record of each goal you are pursuing. Documenting your goals not only helps you stay organized but also provides motivation and accountability. Regularly tracking your progress allows you to identify any obstacles you may be facing and adjust your strategies accordingly. Remember, a goal that isn’t actively monitored is more likely to fade into the background and ultimately remain unachieved.
Set milestones
Develop specific checkpoints throughout your project timeline to assess and evaluate progress on a regular basis. These milestones should be strategically positioned at key intervals, allowing you to measure achievements against your goals. Regular reviews at these checkpoints will not only help identify any potential obstacles early on but also provide an opportunity to celebrate successes and make necessary adjustments to your strategy. By doing this, you ensure that your efforts remain aligned with your overall objectives and can adapt as needed along the way.
Be flexible
Adjust your goals as you gather insights and learn from your experiences. For instance, imagine you are in the first month of your project timeline, and you discover that one of your existing channels is being outpaced by a newly emerging growth channel. In such a scenario, it’s crucial to remain adaptable. Assess the situation thoroughly and consider reallocating your resources and efforts to harness the potential of the new channel. This might involve shifting your marketing strategies, investing in new tools, or even retraining your team.
By being willing to pivot and refine your approach based on current data, you can maximize your impact and ensure the best use of your resources moving forward. This proactive mindset not only enhances your chances of success but also fosters a culture of continuous improvement within your team.
Lastly, remember that goal setting is not a one-time event, it’s a continuous process that evolves alongside your business and your "Why" statement. Goals are not static elements of success, being able to pivot and remain flexible is what truly makes a difference in both business and life. Mastering the art of setting clear goals is not just about ticking boxes. It’s about creating a roadmap that inspires action, drives focus, and fuels growth. When you clarify your objectives, you unlock the power to lead with confidence and scale with purpose. So, what’s your next clear goal?
I invite you to share this article with your community and leave a comment on what tools you use to set clear goals in your business or personal life.
At SDONAMUSI Inc., we work closely with founders and growth teams to embed strategic execution and digital proficiency. We know that when goals are crystal clear, teams move faster and smarter. So, if you want to navigate complex challenges and achieve measurable growth, start by mastering the art of goal clarity.
Read more from Sheun David Onamusi
Sheun David Onamusi, Healthcare Collaborator, Entrepreneur, Mind Coach
Sheun David Onamusi is a thought leader in how the mind influences success in business and life. Graduating from his first degree with a lower second class, he struggled with imposter syndrome, which led to a life-changing experience in 2021. He has since dedicated his life to collaborating and helping others find purpose and relentlessly seeking to change one life at a time. His mission is to shape life through words & actions.
