Leaders set goals. But they often set only one type of goal, and in doing so they set themselves up for failure. Here are different types of goals to set:
- Achievement goals – These describe results that you will have when you finish the goal. Examples include: retiring with a million dollars at age 65, earning a promotion by June, increase sales by 5%. Most major goals are achievement goals.
- Action goals – These describe specific actions that you will take to accomplish achievement goals. Examples include meeting with an investment counselor, attending a workshop to learn new job skills, contact all of the prospects in the database.
- Layered goals – These specify the same goal with different levels of priority and difficulty.
- Rate goals – These specify actions repeatedly done over time. Examples include: Reading two books per month, exercising three times per week, or writing in a journal every day. Many personal growth activities can be performed as rate goals.
- Limit goals – These set boundaries. Examples include: Spending less than $5,000 on new equipment, going to bed before 10 PM each night, take less than 45 minutes for lunch while at work. These help manage priorities.
- Exclusion goals – These state things that you will not do. Examples include: Do not watch TV after 8 P.M., do not use a cell phone when with other people, and do not eat junk foods. These help you decide in advance which activities you will avoid.
