How will you know when you get what you want?

A critical step of clarification lies between setting your goals and assessing whether you’ve achieved them.

The SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Based) framework attracts many people because the acronym prescribes the need for measurable goals. For instance, setting a goal to deliver 5 presentations that result in at least 3 new client acquisitions is more concrete than simply wanting to ‘enhance confidence in presenting.’ However, both quantitative and qualitative measurements work in coaching, blending art and science in goal-setting.

Some coaching clients choose to measure their goals in qualitative ways. For example, when one client sought to improve their confidence as an artist, we identified characteristics and qualities that would indicate increased confidence. The client then assessed their current confidence and set a target for the desired level of confidence. Goal specificity undoubtedly correlates with goal achievement.

No matter what we decide the measurement will be for your goals, establishing clarity on the desired end state is crucial. From his expert perspective on listening, the late Mark Goulston asked his audiences to imagine a successful meeting, “You think that this was the best meeting ever. What happened to lead you to that conclusion?” In other words, what are your indicators of success? These powerful prompts often elicit the most profound insights, but they also require courage to dive in.

When they’re grasping for changes and improvements, many clients come with the belief they’ll recognize their goals when they see them. I suppose it’s a human survival skill to trust our future instinct. Think of dating and mating: how many people say they know what they’re looking for in a partner, and how many people can actually list the qualities they value? I’m pointedly asking, “how are you going to know when your needs are fulfilled?” because knowing what you’re looking for tremendously improves your odds of getting there. Clarifying the “it” also brings clarity to other aspects of the goal. Sometimes in a coaching session, reaching clarity on the specificity and measurability of a goal creates a sense that the goal is already achieved.

During one recent introductory call, a client expressed their strong desire to become an executive vice president. We explored what this role entailed and discovered their true goal was to influence the team’s strategy. It became clear that the EVP title wouldn’t necessarily provide this. Their aim was to be heard and guide others, not just achieve a promotion. The client left the session wishing they had started coaching five years earlier!

Let’s turn the lens on you. Do you know what you’re looking for? Take a few minutes to journal, exploring what you want and how you’ll know when you have it. You’re also invited to schedule a speed coaching session as a low-commitment step to start clarifying what you want. If you don’t know what you want or how to get it, coaching is a tool that supports you in finding out.