Every education, program, and work of mine begins with goals. Why? Because goals are almost the most crucial element of progress in business, as well as in life stages. Why do I say almost the most crucial element? Because ultimately, success depends on the purpose of the business.
If we look at examples around us, we will see that most people live an average life, and even if some stand out, they might be just a step or two above or below that golden mean. The mean, if we look at it, depends on many factors such as the economy, geography, history, sociology, and psychology. However, each individual will still progress based on their will, ambition, and the reason why they seek progress.
The point of what I am writing is precisely this: who is progressing and why? Regardless of the environment, if we work to improve that environment, we are successful. Why? Because success follows success. Let’s divide people into three groups.
The most common group: regardless of which individual we ask in this group if they have a goal and if they have a calling that they feel, if achieved, will make them more successful and contribute to the success of their community, the most common answer is, “I have a job, a salary, and a family, and I am satisfied with that.” They are content with whatever job they have, with whatever conditions there are, and they do not believe they have a greater motive that would be evident to others.
The group of people, about 5% of the population, is the one that, when asked the question posed in the group above, will answer, “My goal is money.”A smaller percentage will also mention fame, but the main motivator is money. On a scale of 7 main motivators, money is in the last place. Money is not a motivator. If you have an employee who works 8 hours for a certain salary and you increase their salary to another amount, expecting them to improve their work, they won’t do it. And if they do, it might be only by 2 to 3%. But if you have an employee who loves their job and has the opportunity to develop themselves in the area they want through your job, they will work even for a lower salary. People whose motive is money will make money, that’s for sure. But behind that image of money, their life stands or falls apart, and no amount of money can solve those problems.
The group of people, which makes up 1% of the population, will answer the above question by saying that they fully know what they want and exactly what achieving that goal will bring them. Who are these people? They are creators. And they don’t have to be creators in the music, film, or automobile industry, but anyone who sees through their work that they are changing, improving, or creating a community is a successful person. In the long run, the most successful person. And why? Because by improving their community, they improve themselves. These people are ideal employers because they have a vision, they know where they are going, and they know who they are looking for, and the person they are looking for is ultimately rewarded with the most important thing, which is improvement.
So, when you set goals this year, ask yourself the following: What am I really doing and why? How does it build my community and in what way? What is the reward for my personal effort and work, what do I want from my life, and how does this job help me? How has my job and my goal helped my colleagues to progress, and do they even see why we do what we do?
When you answer these questions, you will have the right goal, the one that is motivation for the future. And then, start incorporating short-term, medium-term, and long-term goals into that goal that will help you achieve that vision, and at the same time, guide you because they are measurable and show the progress of your business, as well as the management of your own life.
Lucija Burić
