How to Adjust Goals for Changing Priorities

Last year taught me a critical lesson: Adapting swiftly beats planning far out. So, I’m not setting firm team goals for the year. We need to be agile, not anchored to rigid plans. I want my team to embrace shorter sprints and real-time adaptation. Inspired by John Doerr's book "Measure What Matters," and the OKR framework used by giants I respect - Google, LinkedIn, and Netflix - I'm recalibrating my approach. Each quarter, we’ll hit pause and assess:  - How are we doing? - What’s critical at this moment? This approach isn't just planning; it's tactical realignment in real-time. Long-term goals? They risk leading us astray, chasing milestones that no longer align with our reality. My advice? Ditch the long-term goal playbook. Zone in on the quarter. It's not just about setting goals; it's about setting the right goals at the right time.

A couple of weeks ago, I posted about evaluating goals you set at the beginning of the year. Leaders understand the importance of setting ambitious goals and tracking progress. But what about continuously analyzing and adapting those goals throughout the year? Legendary educator John Dewey once said, "A leader is not one who drives people to work, but one who walks beside them and encourages them to work for a goal." This quote perfectly captures the importance of flexible leadership. While setting the direction is crucial, successful leaders recognize that the path may need adjustments. Here are some actionable tips to keep your team and yourself on top of goal achievement for the rest of 2024: 1. Schedule Quarterly Check-Ins: Move beyond the mid-year review. Regularly revisit goals as a team, fostering open communication around progress and potential adjustments. 2. Embrace the Power of "What If?": Dedicate time to brainstorm alternative strategies and contingency plans. What if a key partner encounters delays? What if market trends shift? Foresight empowers proactive adaptation. 3. Celebrate Milestones, Big and Small: Maintaining momentum requires acknowledging progress. Recognize both major achievements and smaller wins that keep the team moving forward. 4. Foster a Culture of Open Communication: Encourage your team to voice concerns or suggest revisions to goals as circumstances evolve. Transparency and flexibility are key to navigating the unforeseen. By integrating these practices, you demonstrate a commitment to dynamic goal management. This not only keeps your team focused but allows you to seize new opportunities and navigate challenges with agility. #goalsetting #goals #personaldevelopment #leadership #healthcareleadership #entrepreneur

𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐲 𝐢𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞. What’s the one habit that separates top performers from the rest? 👉 They stop to check their progress. At the end of last year, I shared my 3-step process for planning the year ahead. 𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐐𝟏 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰. If you followed my advice, you’ve already blocked monthly check-ins on your calendar — and hopefully you’ve scheduled your Q1 review for this week. Here's a quick, structured format to use which should take no more than one hour to complete. 1️⃣ Quick Assessment  - What three words best describe your Q1 progress — in your career, business, side hustle, or personal goals like fitness or wellness? - Are you on track to hit the milestones you set — quarterly or annual? 2️⃣ Realignment  - What’s working well — and what’s feeling off track? - What changes, adjustments, or decisions will set you up for a stronger Q2? 3️⃣ Action Plan  - Revisit your top 3 priorities — are they still the right ones? - Are your Q2 goals realistic, or do they need refining? - Are you set up with the right people, tools, and time to follow through? Progress doesn’t come from working more or working harder — it comes from focus, clarity, and adjusting as necessary. ✅ Drop a comment when you complete your Q1 review - we can all hold each other accountable (I'm doing mine today!) #goalsetting #progressupdate #quarterlyreview #2025planning #leaadershiplessons