Aim Them
Here’s a scenario: You’re running your business and it is the end of the year (maybe this is true for you right now). Being someone who has a business, you’re more than likely pretty organized and focused on accomplishing what you set out for. Now think about the people you lead or coach. Would it not make sense to set them all up for individual success by sitting with them and hearing their goals?
If you think there is anything more important than goaling the people you work with you’d be wrong. How did they finish 2024? What do they have their hearts set on for 2025? Being the savvy business owner you are in this scenario, you more than likely thought this way for yourself, so why not direct who it is you coach in the same way? Think of it like a bow and arrow and you’re pulling the person you’re coaching back on the bowstring ready to let them fly to their target.
Some questions you can ask
- What were your thoughts on your 2024 finish?
- Looking back is their anything you could have done better?
- What was a goal of yours for 2024?
- What would the end of 2024 needed to look like for your to deem it an ultimate success?
- On a scale of 1- 10, how happy are you with the end result of 2024? (when they say a number, be sure to ask why it isn’t a higher number to illicit some strategies on how it could be better and why it isn’t a lower number to hear what current accomplishments have been)
- Taking into account bad habits: What is something you should STOP doing?
- Taking into account 2024, some shortcomings, and starting up 2025, what is something you should START doing?
- Taking into account 2024 and starting up 2025, what is something you should CONTINUE doing?
- Say it is the end of 2025 and you’re elated with the results. Why? What is the outcome? How do you feel accomplishing this goal?
- Again say it is the end of 2025 and you’re elated with the results, what were the habits you put in place to accomplish this goal?
- What do I need to Start doing, Stop doing, and Continue doing to assist you in accomplishing everything we’ve discussed today?
Build a Roadmap for Success
It is easy to have the conversations about their goals but we all know how hard it is to stick to a plan. Especially one that has habits within it that aren’t easy. What does success look like for them? How will they be held accountable to these outcomes? Think of it this way: If you want to lose 30 pounds in 90 days and you decide to go for a 20 minute job every morning, that action for going for a 20 minute jog is easy to see for a weight loss goal. What does that look like for each person’s goals? What is the habit they need to instil? Are you going to check in with them monthly? Quarterly?
After discussing their goals for the year ahead, take these additional steps to ensure they have the support and structure they need to succeed:
1. Identify Milestones
Break each goal into smaller, manageable milestones. Encourage the person you’re coaching to think of checkpoints they can aim for throughout the year. For example:
•If the goal is to improve sales by 20% in 2025, what does a 5% improvement in Q1 look like?
2. Establish Accountability Structures
Ask: How will you measure your progress?
Work with them to determine:
•Specific metrics to track progress.
•A cadence for regular check-ins to assess and adjust.
•Whether a peer, mentor, or manager can help hold them accountable.
3. Address Potential Obstacles
No journey is without challenges. Explore questions like:
•What might get in the way of reaching this goal?
•How can you overcome these challenges?
Help them identify tools, resources, or strategies to navigate roadblocks.
4. Focus on Strengths
Ask: What current strengths can you leverage to achieve this goal?
Encouraging individuals to use their existing skills builds confidence and helps them see how they’re already equipped for success.
5. Celebrate Wins Along the Way
Help them define what success looks like at each milestone. Planning intentional moments of recognition—no matter how small—keeps momentum high and reinforces positive habits.
Conclusion
Remember we’re not trying to win championships, we’re trying build champions. Its that simple.
