Personal efficiency goals help us to focus our development efforts in the right direction, by factoring in our professional and personal priorities. They can guide us in making decisions that contribute to achieving our aims and are a great starting point for any personal or professional development plan. Here’s how to set these goals using the “5 Ps”.

 1. POSITIVE, PRECISE AND EXPRESSED IN THE PRESENT

The aim is to have a clear picture in your mind of what your goal will look like once it has been achieved. Instead of phrasing your goal as “stop managing problems all day long”, why not say “I have the time to manage develop projects”?

  •  Set a specific date for achieving your goal.

2. PERSONAL EFFICIENCY GOALS

Your personal efficiency goal must be dependent on you and not on others. If it’s your manager who decides on who gets to manage new projects, set your goal as “I am available to manage…”.

 3. POWERFUL

Why do you want to achieve this efficiency goal? What are your reasons? By asking yourself this question several times, you can drill down to the very essence of what it is you want to achieve – the thing that gives you a real buzz. The answer could be something like “to express my creativity” or “to improve my teams’ well-being”.

 4. PICTURE THE ECOSYSTEM AROUND YOUR GOAL

Imagine that you have achieved your goal:

  • What has changed around you?
  • How has it impacted on your work? Your professional relationships? Your private life?
  • Are you ready to accept these changes?
  • Adjust your goal if needed, by making tweaks or giving yourself more time to achieve it.

5. MAKE YOUR GOAL MORE POWERFUL THROUGH VISUALISATION

Once you’re happy with the way your goal is formulated, flesh it out.

  • Picture how it will play out and the people around you who will be affected by it.
  • Take some time to enjoy the positive emotions this brings: the pleasure of achieving something, getting positive feedback and succeeding.

How about you? How do you set your efficiency goals?