Did you set goals this year? If so, when was the last time you checked-in on them to see how things are progressing? When? Oh boy, it’s likely time you did a check!
In January there were a series of posts that stepped through the process of setting personal and professional goals and objectives. If you missed this series, they are summarized with the links at the bottom of this post for your reference. Now that you are a few months in since setting your goals and objectives, please use this post as a reminder and catalyst to do a check-in and reflection on them.
Some key considerations for your review:
Relevance of the goals & objectives – Things change quickly in this age! Review your goals and objectives to ensure they are all still relevant. If not, scratch them off and move on. Add critical new ones as necessary and be sure to develop tactics and action plans for them.
Target check – Check to see how you are progressing towards your target. If on target, great, but confirm that it is your actions that are driving this and not just good luck! If not on track to hit the target, it’s important to dig deep to understand why not and then adjust your tactics and actions accordingly.
Action plan effectiveness – Review your action plans and record your status within your plan. Indicate which ones are completed, in progress or not started. Confirm if you are on track schedule wise; on, behind, or ahead of schedule. Consider if there are any barriers that you hadn’t previously considered that may impact your plans and develop mitigation for each of them. Identify any ground that needs to be made up. In other words, do you need to double down on some to get them back on track? Rate your actions for their effectiveness based on whether they are delivering the expected results or not. Cancel the ineffective ones if you think course correction isn’t in the cards and develop new ones to overcome and get back on track.
Don’t despair – Particularly if you are reviewing your personal goals and objectives, don’t despair if this is the first time your have looked at them since setting them up. That’s why we have this post! The good news is, you have now looked at them, right? So don’t get frustrated and know you are not alone, but do set yourself on a refreshed path to get on track and achieve what you set out to achieve. Don’t give up! Do it!
No! Try not! Do or Do not, there is no try!
– Yoda
Execution – To ensure execution of your actions, you needed to have “operationalized” them. Take this opportunity to honestly reflect on your execution and be self-critical. You might be the biggest problem stopping you from achieving your objectives! Are you following through on the methods you had determined to operationalize your action plans? If not, why not? What and why are they not working? What do you need to do differently? Do it! Adjust your plan and go!
Plan, Do, Check, Act/Adjust – Setting goals and objectives follows the continuous 
improvement cycles of Plan, Do, Check, Act/Adjust or PDCA beautifully. What we’re doing now is obviously the check phase. Once you’re done this part adjust your plans and start doing again! Going forward, ensure your operational steps include the full PDCA cycle, very frequently!
If you missed this original goals and objectives series or just need a refresh, the posts are summarized with the links below for your reference.
Reflections Vs Resolutions – It’s That Time Of Year!
Although written with the Holiday Season in mind, this is still a timely post to refresh yourself on the importance to reflect on your goals and objectives. Key points to think about that are relevant at any time of year are covered in this post.
Setting Personal and Professional Goals and Objectives – Mission Statements
Whether you are doing so as an individual, family, or for an organization, establishing a mission is a critical first step. A mission acts as your compass which will establish your direction and keep you on track. This post discusses mission statements and the values that support them.
Setting Personal and Professional Goals and Objectives – Goals & Objectives
After the mission is created, the next step is to develop the areas of focus to be deployed to achieve the mission. This post describes how to set meaningful goals.
Setting Personal and Professional Goals and Objectives – Tactics or Action Plans
The tactics or action plans are what brings goals and objectives to life and makes things happen! This post discusses how to convert goals to objectives and specific actions, including some tips on how to “operationalize” your plans.
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Glenn Sommerville 