Setting goals isn’t enough. Setting goals that are quantifiable, exciting, relevant and more, that’s fabulous. We created the Q.U.E.E.R. goal setting strategy to set better goals and achieve them.
We’re in the heart of the annual performance review season when employees try to write the best personal annual performance review ever to justify that raise or promotion. They search for the right words to convince their bosses that anything but a raise or promotion is anything but right.
Soon, employers and employees will start set goals for the new year. These are our five recommendations for setting worthwhile goals and succeeding with them.
How to set Q.U.E.E.R. goals
Most managers and businesses want their employees to personally and professionally succeed because their employees’ successes yield business successes. Elusive goals that aren’t trackable or measurable fail and leave managers and employees disappointed.
With end-of-the-year deadlines and the stresses of the holiday stress, often inadequate time is left for thorough annual performance reviews. Subsequently, the problem with properly setting annual goals is it’s often done in haste at the beginning of the year when projects are underway, and there’s little time for delay. This is where Q.U.E.E.R. goal setting helps.
For queer people, both times of year are uniquely challenging. Because of our experience growing up LGBTQ, many of us carry limiting beliefs that we don’t deserve financial or career. Many of us are in the closet at work for fear that being out would hurt our employment and career aspirations. If we are out at work, we must overcome stereotypes of what successful people traditionally look and sound like.
Because of these unique challenges, queer goal setting helps queer people.
1. Q means setting quantifiable goals
Quantifiable goals are measurable, non-elusive goals that can be expressed in numbers or percentages, show a computable goal from point A to point B. An example of a quantifiable goal is “to reduce processing time by the end of the year by 10%.”
2. U means setting understandable goals
Understandable goals are clear goals, easily explained to and comprehended by others. Your goal is clear in your mind and you understand the steps required to achieve your goal. Executable goals are realistic and possible.
3. E means setting executable goals
Executable goals are within the realm of possibility, can be carried out and accomplished. This doesn’t mean your goals are easy because we don’t grow with easy goals.
4. E stands for setting exciting goals
You have a passion for it, achievement would provide true, inner happiness or motivate you. Exciting goals make going to work or getting up in the morning easier.
5. R means setting relevant goals
They apply to you and your life goals. Your goals, whether in business or in your personal life, need to feed into your reasons for living. They support your longer-term plans.
That’s Q.U.E.E.R. goal setting. When you start being a rock star at the office, tell your colleagues it’s because you’re Q.U.E.E.R.
