{"id":439,"date":"2010-12-26T11:58:18","date_gmt":"2010-12-26T16:58:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.excellenceuniversity.net\/journal\/?p=439"},"modified":"2016-12-22T09:17:42","modified_gmt":"2016-12-22T14:17:42","slug":"execution-tip-think-about-your-goal-clarity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.excellenceuniversity.net\/journal\/439\/execution-tip-think-about-your-goal-clarity","title":{"rendered":"WATER Tip: Well-defined Goals"},"content":{"rendered":"

Well-defined goals (also known as “SMART goals”) are achieved via constant attention to the development of specific, measurable, agreed-upon, realistic, time-bound steps toward fulfilling broader objectives.\u00a0\u00a0An indication that this is being attained is reduction in the following major barriers to Execution Excellence:<\/p>\n

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  1. fewer instances of individuals wondering what to do (and\/or doing nothing) and<\/li>\n
  2. fewer instances of things getting done that others never wanted to have done (and\/or on redoing things in a way that is more well-aligned with larger objectives).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    For instance, if one has a well-defined goal in relation to an objective (e.g., a SMART goal like this: “Take out all trash every Wednesday before 9AM” in relation to an objective like this: “Keep the office\/home neat and clean”), there is less confusion about what to do up-front and fewer instances of energy being either (a) wasted (e.g., Some trash being taken out after the garbage collectors already came – which means energy is already wasted and more may need to be used to bring the trash back in until next week) or (b) not be used by all stake-holders in a way that is aligned with the objective (e.g., Some people taking out trash while others waste time sitting around instead of helping others complete the objective of a neat and clean office\/home).<\/p>\n

    Obviously, a lack of well-defined goals can be a major block to Execution Excellence; it is critical that valuable resources like time, energy and money be focused on getting the most important things done instead of wasted on activities that are not as valuable and\/or on having to do things over again.<\/p>\n