Where do I start goal setting? Deficits or Strengths?

Goal setting by focusing on your strengths can lead to success. Oftentimes we think about where we want to start setting goals; we tend to think about our weaknesses or where we feel deficient. What if we decided to include our strengths?

A strengths-based goal draws on your natural talents to make positive and lasting change in your life while challenging you to use your talents in new ways.

Gallup

I found that when I start from a place of weakness that it feels like a longer road and the strategy to get there feels unfamiliar. When I incorporate my strengths, the skills and qualities that I practice often and come naturally to me, the goal feels more reachable. 

For example, I find the marketing aspects of running a coaching business to be an area that I want to grow. I identify this as an area that I do not have a lot of practice and experience and where I need to increase my skills. I can easily get overwhelmed thinking of ways to improve my marketing skills as this is an unfamiliar area for me. Alternatively, I can think about my strength in relationship building and think about how I can use this to be a more effective marketer of my work. I use something I am familiar with, already have a strong skill set in, and have lots of practice in to tackle an area of growth. 

Tips for Goal Setting Using Strengths:

  • Define your goal and why it matters.
  • How will you assess? How will you measure success?
  • What strengths will you leverage to make steps towards success?
  • Use the SMART system: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time bound
  • Identify possible challenges and obstacles.
  • Identify supports. This could be people, workshops, reading material, and more.
  • Identify a clear and actionable small next step that uses your strengths, a subtle shift in your behavior that will move you towards the goal.

Concluding Thoughts on Goal Setting

I have learned that goal setting is an iterative process that you need to consistently revisit and update. I have also learned that being specific and holding yourself accountable is helpful. Start small. One goal that you you actually achieve in a measurable and accountable way is better than five goals that you barely hold yourself accountable for. Leverage your strengths to meet your goals. You might find yourself less overwhelmed and feeling more accomplished.