Recognition Tips

Effective Recognition Training & Consulting

Recognition Tip

January

2004 Recognition Goal Setting

Ah, the beginning of a new year. An opportunity for a fresh start. Now is the time to create your 2004 Recognition Goals.

Goal setting is essential to success. Balancing work and personal time is an ongoing challenge. Without a concrete list of items we would like to achieve during the year it is easy for things to be put on hold or forgotten all together when our lives get busy.

Whether you are a Recognition Advocate responsible for your company's incentive program, a supervisor of a growing team, or an employee who wants to enhance your leadership skills by becoming a more effective motivator, recognition goals are important.

Now that companies have embraced employee recognition as an integral part of their business strategy, many have added Recognition/Motivation to their employees' Annual Performance Plans.

Here are some tips T: to keep in mind as you set your goals...

T: Think about the challenges you faced in 2003 that you would like to improve. Are there new skills you would like to develop? How about a topic or area of interest you would like to learn more about? Did you get feedback from a survey that identified weakness in your recognition program?

T: Brainstorm! Write a list of goals and then take a break. The next day, review your long list and select the 3 to 5 goals that you believe are most important to pursue.

T: Set goals that are challenging, but realistic. Are there circumstances beyond your control that may prevent you from attaining your goals? Are there people you need 'buy in' from to achieve them?

T: Be specific. Instead of writing down, "Learn about recognition", consider, "Attend a recognition training course by June and read 1 book a quarter on recognition/motivation."

T: Goals should be relevant. Since you are only selecting 3 to 5 goals, be sure they are worthwhile and will have an impact.

T: Set dates to achieve your goals. You don't have to wait until December to complete them. Establish a time frame that makes sense...some goals may need to be reached before the end of year.

T: How will you know if you have accomplished your goals? Goals should be measurable. As you create your list, also determine how you will measure success. And be sure to do so.

T: Type your goals and keep them somewhere in your workspace where you will see them every day. Once you have reached a goal, put a check next to it to indicate completion. (Do not cross it out. A reminder of what you have already achieved is a good motivator to finish the rest of your list.)

T: For added motivation, decide what you will reward yourself with when you reach your goals. (An afternoon relaxing at a spa or sitting in the bleachers at a Cub's game are my favorite "personal" rewards. What are yours?)

T: If you feel comfortable, share your goals with coworkers and/or friends your trust and ask them to encourage you.

T: After you set your Recognition Goals, create an Action Plan to ensure they become reality. Map out what you need to do to reach each goals and get started right away. Keep it in a safe place and refer to it often.

T: Celebrate your successes! The satisfaction of reaching our goals is an amazing feeling.

If you have a question that you would like to see answered in a monthly Recognition Tip, feel free to email ERC.