3 Steps for Setting Powerful Goals — Even During a Pandemic

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(From the January 2021 Edition of eFORUM)

By Andy and Mia Torr

Goal setting felt different a year ago. A lot of us set powerful goals before the pandemic, which then went sideways as we scrambled to pivot and get back on course.

Last week, we ran our annual goal-setting workshop for business owners across North America. Their No. 1 question: How do you set goals flexible enough to plan for curveballs and unexpected events?

Tony Robbins said, “It’s not about the goal. It’s about becoming the type of person who can accomplish the goal.”

The same is true of your business. Set goals that will improve your business from the inside out, regardless of external circumstances. Here are three ways to do this with your 2021 goal setting.

Focus on habits and systems

In his book Atomic Habits, James Clear says we don’t rise to the level of our goals; we fall to the level of our systems. The most effective path to achieving your goals is to implement habits and systems that support small daily action steps.

What can you systemize in your business? What positive habits can you develop? Which unproductive habits can you eliminate? Identify these habits and systems, and structure your daily routine to support them.

Identify the one thing

Our starting point for goal setting is what we call “goal storming.” That means listing every possible goal, large or small, which could benefit your business.

From there: identify your single most important starting goal. This isn’t necessarily the biggest goal on your list. Instead, ask yourself: Which is the goal that will make everything easier by achieving it?

Maybe this means putting a morning routine in place, hiring staff, or prioritizing your energy levels. Often it’s something small but significant that will set you up for success as you grow your business.

Leverage key relationships

No one achieves success on their own. Within your professional network lies a treasure trove of people who can support you toward achieving your goals. Which are the most important relationships in your network? Focus on nurturing those key relationships to create win-win scenarios, no matter what curveballs the year may bring.

It takes more than enthusiasm and good intentions to achieve a meaningful goal; that’s why many people run out of steam. To achieve our powerful goals we must rethink our daily habits, identify our most important starting goals, and engage the people who can help us get there.


Mia and Andy Torr are the co-founders of Authentic Networker, an international business networking community with more than 20,000 members in five countries. Join our free online networking events at authenticnetworkers.com/online.