What support would you require from the organization to achieve your goals?

You've told the world (or at least a friend, family member, or accountability partner) about your big goal.

A fantastic and likely outcome of your announcement is that someone responds by saying they're there for you. They want to support you. How cool! It gives you the warm and fuzzies inside, right?

Following their declaration of support comes the inevitable question: "What can I do?" or "How can I help?". Hmm.

Unless you included a call-to-action with your announcement, you're likely caught off guard by this thoughtful request. Most of us don't have a handy list of "ways others can support me" in our pocket.

In the moment, you have a few options:

1. Out of fear of being a burden or asking the wrong thing, decline saying, "Eh, nothing. But thanks for offering." If you say this, then you miss out on a potentially game-changing source of support that could supercharge your success. Plus, you rob your supporter of the opportunity to invest in your journey, which has surprising benefits for them too!

2. Panic out of uncertainty and just come up with something, anything on the fly. Did you ask from something you actually need? Are you truly doing them, and yourself, a favor by giving your supporter a pointless task?

3. Ask for some time to think it through. Say, "Thanks so much. Let me think about it and get back to you." It's perfectly acceptable to not have an answer right away! By punting your answer, you can reply thoughtfully. Or, answer their question with a question: "Did you have anything in mind?" to get the ball rolling.

The well-intended question of "How can I help?" doesn't have to be a source of stress for you.

Take your time and over the course of a few days, pay attention to where you struggle to stay motivated and where you could use some help.

Once you have some ideas, go back to your kind supporter and propose an idea or two. Invite them to share their thoughts honestly as well. Be appreciative.

To get you started, we've compiled a list of 20 practical ways for someone to support you.

You may also like: How to ask someone for encouragement

20 Useful Ways Someone Can Support You

1. Check in with you about an action at agreed-upon intervals

This is Accountability 101. They ask you to commit to an action, you report back on whether you did it or not. Provide suggestions on when and how you'd like to check in with each other.

2. Ask you for a photo to prove you did what you said you'd do

Photographic evidence is next-level accountability! It works really well for achievements that are visual, like an art project. It makes it harder to cheat. Plus, it's fun!

3. Call you out by saying, "I haven't seen you do X in a while..."

Do you tend to go easy on yourself? Ask for some tough love. Have your supporter be the source of honest feedback that will motivate you to get back on the horse.

4. Send you funny photos, gifs, or other reward when you do what you said you'd do

For tasks you dislike doing, having a small reward to look forward to after crossing it off your to-do list can actually motivate you to get it done. This idea is great for someone who will know just the thing to put a smile on your face.

5. Help you remember your reason for the goal

If you're comfortable sharing the reason why you're pursuing the goal, ask your supporter to remind you of this reason and the long-term payoff that will make it all worth it.

6. Remind you about the consequences of not doing an action

Get your supporter to remind you why each little step matters and the cost of skipping. By facing the consequences, you’ll be motivated to get back on track.

7. Send you inspiring stories, quotes, or videos

Are you inspired by hearing successes of others? Have your supporter send you these to keep you going and remind you that if people like you can succeed, so can you.

8. Take part in the activity with you

If there's an activity that can be done with multiple people, ask your supporter to join you. Great examples are fitness classes, networking events, or home improvement projects. Participating with you is a terrific display of moral support.

9. Teach you a skill that can help you reach your goal

If your supporter has skills that could help you get closer to achieving your goal, by all means ask if they can take some time to give you a few tips or point you to some resources.

10. Help out with one of your responsibilities so that you can spend time on your goal

Have kids or a pets? Burdened by errands like picking up the dry cleaning? See if your supporter could occasionally take on one of these to let you get down to business and be more productive.

11. Learn about your goal

Wouldn't it be great if you could talk about your goal to someone you already trust? If your supporter could learn about your goal, you can get their fresh take if the need arises. Plus, they'll be better able to appreciate what you're going through.

12. Send you good vibes for big achievements

Success is sweeter when shared! Similar to #4, having someone to celebrate wins along the way makes the journey more fun. Ask your supporter to celebrate with you!

13. Keep track of your accomplishments, no matter how small

Every day is a new opportunity to get closer to your goal. In addition to checking in with you, can your supporter keep track of your accomplishments to remind you how far you've come?

14. Help you prioritize and create boundaries so you focus on what's most essential

A third party can offer clarity on how you're spending your time. A supporter can help you identify what's most important and can even help enforce some boundaries for you.

15. Be a listening ear when the going gets tough

Having someone hear what you're going through can help you feel validated and supported. If your supporter can be willing to listen when you need to vent, that can be a tremendous resource to get you through.

16. Show you what your rival's up to

Are you competitive? Do you have a rival? If your supporter can keep tabs on your what your nemesis is up to, they can tell you about it periodically to light a fire under you.

17. Attend milestone events in person

Having a familiar face by your side or in the audience can make a big difference in calming your nerves. If you have a big race, presentation, or other event, ask if your supporter can show up for moral support.

18. Spread the word to others about what you're doing

Sometimes, the most helpful thing someone can do is to talk about your endeavor to someone else. If your goal is work-related, ask your supporter to mention you the next time they meet someone in your field or target market.

19. Give feedback on how you can improve

Does your supporter have more experience than you? Do you value their opinion? Invite them to give you feedback so that you can improve. They’ll likely be flattered.

20. Help you see the light through challenges and setbacks

A good supporter can guide you through the biggest obstacles by helping put things in perspective. Ask your supporter if you can lean on them for advice and a positive attitude to deal with any obstacles that develop along your journey.

Of these 20 tips, are there any that jump out at you? Consider the person who asked how they can support you, and customize your answer to their strengths.

Did you find this article helpful? Please share it with anyone who’s looking for support, or looking for ways to be a supportive friend.

The word ‘goals’ is thrown around a lot these days. So much so that it can be confusing what a goal really is.

Are resolutions and objectives the same as goals?

Why do we need to set goals?

Research by a psychologist and career coach at Dominican University of California shows that there’s a direct correlation between setting goals and achieving success. Properly defined goals help trigger new behaviors and help you focus on what’s important to you.

Of course, it’s not just about setting goals. It’s also about achieving them.

Let’s take a look at the top strategies for how to set goals and achieve them in both your personal and professional life.

Goals: what are they, and what aren’t they?

Before setting goals, you need to know what a goal is.

A goal is something you want to achieve. It’s the desired result that you, or a group of people, plan and commit to achieving.

Goals are often long-term. They relate to people’s life and career plans or the long-term goals of a company or organization.

Put simply, a goal is a dream with a deadline.

Still a bit confused? Here are some characteristics of what goals are and what they aren’t.

A goal is:

• Time-sensitive. The most effective goals are time-bound. Goals generally have a longer time frame. They can then be broken down into smaller, short-term objectives.

• Large in nature. Don’t be afraid to set a goal that seems like a reach. Feel free to think outside the box and dream big. You can set smaller, short-term goals to help you get there.

A goal is not:

• An objective. While goals describe what you want to achieve, objectives are the steps taken to reach the goal. For example, “I want to become a confident public speaker” is a goal. “I will work with a coach to practise my public speaking skills by the end of this month” is the objective.

• A resolution. Resolutions are often temporary, giving short-term gratification (opposed to delayed gratification). While a resolution is a decision to do or not do something, a goal is what you want to achieve.
• A mission. Mission statements create a clear and focused direction to follow. It’s the statement of purpose from which a company, business, or individual operates. On the other hand, a goal is a specific aim you or your team works toward.

Why should you set goals for yourself and your team?

Here are some of the many reasons why setting goals for yourself and your team is important.

It gives a sense of direction

Taking the time to think about what you want in life gives you a sense of purpose.

For example, you could create a 5-year plan based on what you want your life to look like in five years. Having this long-term plan can help you move from just dreaming into actually doing.

In the workplace, setting goals helps to set a clear path of where you want your team to go. It also helps to set expectations of different team members.  

It helps to see the bigger picture

Setting goals helps us take a step back and get some perspective on what’s really important in life. It’s the first step toward creating a life full of meaning.

At work, setting goals as a team helps everyone get the whole picture. Knowing the long-term goal and what a company is striving toward can help each team member perform better in their role.

It provides motivation

By nature, consciously setting goals gives you something to aspire to. Having a specific goal will motivate you to put your best foot forward.

As a team member, having a clear vision of what your team is aiming to achieve provides inspiration and motivation. Working with your team to move toward a common goal is motivating and satisfying, giving your team purpose.

It gives you greater control of your future

Setting goals puts you in the driver’s seat of your life. Just by writing down goals, you are actively acknowledging what you want out of life.

It’s the first step toward taking control of your future.

How to set realistic goals at work and in life 

Now that you know how beneficial goals are, it’s time to dive into how to set goals and achieve them.

Whether you’re setting group goals for your team or personal goals, it’s important to start with goals that are realistic.

Here are tips for setting both personal and team goals:

Personal goal setting tips

Let’s take a look at three tips for setting personal goals.

1. Consider your passions

Part of the process for how to set life goals should be deciding what inspires you and what your values are. You should be passionate about your goals if you want to achieve them in the long run.

Your goals should be meaningful to you and provide you with a sense of pride once you meet them.

2. Set goals you can control

If your goal is based on something outside of your control, you won’t be able to control whether or not you actually achieve it.

Your personal goals shouldn’t be dependent on other people. They also shouldn’t be reliant on external factors that you have no control over.

Be realistic about what you can and can’t be directly responsible for.

3. Imagine your future

Take some time to really think about what you’d like your life to look like. What does your ideal future entail?

For example, if you’re setting personal career goals, ask yourself some questions that will point you in the right direction.

How much money do you ideally want to earn? Do you want to work for yourself? How many hours do you want to commit to on a daily basis?

Even if these questions don’t immediately help you pick a single job, they will certainly make you realize what you don’t want your career goals to be.

Tips for setting goals at work 

Let’s take a look at three tips for setting team goals:

1. Brainstorm

Before you write down the first goal that comes to mind, take time to brainstorm as a team. Asking big questions like “What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail?” will get the creative juices flowing.

2. Include everyone

It’s important that everyone is heard during the goal-setting process. Each member of your team should feel they can speak openly and contribute their ideas for goals.

Having everyone’s input will help create goals that everyone is invested in.

Write down each team member’s ideas, no matter how silly, so that they feel heard. Together, you can go through each goal to decide if it works for the whole team.

3. Ask why

It’s important to discuss the purpose of your group goal so that everyone is on the same page. During your goal-setting session, create a relaxed atmosphere that encourages questions from everyone if there is any uncertainty.

What are we doing? Where do we want to be? What does success look like?

Every team member should have a shared vision for why you have set this common goal. It will give your team clarity on what you want to achieve and make it easier for everyone to work together.

10 tips to achieve your goals 

Setting goals is just the beginning. After taking the time to identify what your goals are, achieving them is a whole other ball game.

Working to achieve your goals can feel overwhelming at times. Here are some effective goal-setting tips on how to achieve life goals to the best of your ability.

1. Have SMART goals

You’re not going to achieve your goals if they aren’t SMART. If you haven’t heard of SMART goals already, they are goals that are:

• Specific. There’s no point in setting vague goals that don’t achieve anything specific. Research by the creators of goal setting theory, Locke & Latham, found that in 90% of studies conducted, specific and challenging goals lead to higher performance than when people were set either easy goals, “do your best” goals, or no goals at all.

  It’s important for both you and your employees to have clear and established aims, to avoid potentially setting goals so broad that they are overwhelming and therefore too difficult to set into action.

• Measurable. Once you have a specific goal pinned down, it’s important to be able to measure the success or completion of the goal.

  This doesn’t have to be in the traditional sense, like on a numeric scale or a statistic, it just has to be measurable in some sense, so that it is clear when you have reached or are close to reaching your goal.

• Attainable. A SMART goal must be within reach. Lean on data, analytics, and research to help set attainable goals. 
• Relevant. It is essential that any goals set for teams or individuals are relevant to company-wide aims. Of course, goal completion is important, and having goals met or worked towards is the overall idea when setting them, but this is only really beneficial when the goals are productive in the workplace environment and will contribute to company success in some way.

  As a manager, it is particularly important that you help your employees link their goals back to the wider team and company-wide goals. One of the best ways to motivate your employees is to make sure they know how their work is contributing to the bigger picture.

• Time-bound. Goals must be time-related. It’s not productive to set a deadline too far in the future for a simple task, or an unrealistically short deadline for something complex and time-consuming.

  This common pitfall can be incredibly demotivating for staff. They’re either left with an abundance of time in which they are not pushing themselves, or left feeling stressed and demotivated when they fail to complete goals in the time frame provided. 

By setting goals that have these characteristics, you’re setting yourself up for greater success.

SMART goals examples 

Now, let's walk through some SMART goal examples. 

Example 1: 

S. Provide more growth and learning opportunities to each member of my teamM. Give feedback to each member at least 2 times per monthA. Feedback should come from the managerR. Improves team communication and feedback culture

T. Provided before the end of the next quarter