How to Write Personal Work Goals for Work
Writing goals for work can be very challenging. It requires you to look at yourself in a way that may be difficult. Remember that setting personal goals for work has a number of benefits. It allows you the means to gauge your own progress against yourself, not others in the company. It also allows you to strive for something, giving structure and purpose to your work tasks. Finally, it shows that you are as serious about your work as your employer.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
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Choose measurable goals. There's little point in choosing a goal if you can't even prove that it's been achieved. Make your goal something that is verifiable. For example, instead of "greatly increase sales" choose a specific sales target for yourself. No matter what it is that you do, there has to be something quantifiable about it. Pick something specific and measurable. This way you can tell if it has actually been achieved rather than guessing.
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Choose attainable goals. Nothing breeds failure like failure. A surefire way to make sure that you do not achieve your goals is to select ones that cannot be achieved. Using the example of sales, increasing your sales by 1,000 percent is quite a reach. Don't feel the need, on the other hand, to choose a modest, easily attainable goal. Rather, pick something for which you have to strive, but something which is also within your reach.
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3
Take your goals apart. If a goal is large enough to include several others, it's better to list each separately. This allows you to look at each task on its own. It also draws your attention to the smaller steps toward achieving the personal work goal--a sure formula for making the larger goals fall into line.
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Honestly address your strengths and weaknesses. Your goals should not be lopsided. Choose goals that h allow you to improve in places where your performance has been lacking. Conversely, choose goals which improve already existing strengths. This kind of balance not only draws the attention of your employer, it also makes you a better and more well-rounded employee.
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Talk to your employer. On your own, have a brief chat with your supervisor about your goals, and see what she has to say. Don't expect her to write your personal work goals for you, but any feedback you receive will be valuable. If there are any colleagues you have a mentoring relationship with, discuss the matter with them, briefly and informally. A co-worker familiar with your day-to-day work habits may provide more insights, especially in terms of self-assessment, than a supervisor.
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