How To Set Weekly Goals To Keep Employees Motivated
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If you see a task pop up on your to-do list regularly – whether it’s something that you need to do each week for the quarter or something that’s imperative for your team to function, like checking emails – you’re probably in the midst of a weekly goal.
And if you need some help conceptualizing how to manage the ins and outs of these consistent undertakings, read on for some goal-oriented advice from entrepreneur, President and Founder of INGCO International, and author of The Language of Trust, Ingrid Christensen.
What are weekly goals?
Sometimes weekly goals can be little bits and pieces that lead to a conclusion at the week’s end, like a task that requires an hour of your time each day. And sometimes, it could be office housekeeping that seems like an endless chore. But no matter what weekly goals you’re engaging in, each and everyone is of the utmost importance to maintain synergy in your workflow.
“Setting repeating weekly goals helps us create structure and consistency in our lives. However, if you prioritize everything, then nothing is a priority. And vice versa – prioritize nothing, and everything is a priority. The secret, I believe, is to narrow it down and figure out what you really want. Successful goal setting strikes the perfect balance between the little steps to knocking out the big dreams and ambitions.”
Weekly goals are simple, effective, and sometimes recurring. And ideally, they’re fashioned intentionally to be small wins that fuel your focus. Weekly goals are only doomed to fail when they’re the wrong size – either too big or too small.
“In my mind, weekly goals are small goals that will help me achieve larger goals,” Christensen says. “Once I identify the big goals, I try and break them down to smaller, bite-sized ones.”
The reason that having manageable goals is so important (for instance, small tasks that will take you a reasonable period of time) is that taking on a considerable mission all at once is like cramming for a big exam. You scramble to accomplish whatever seems the most useful without a strategic plan, and after hours of work, you end up feeling like you completed a project halfway without even knowing which parts are done and which still need work.
“Weekly goals need to be realistic and doable because setting yourself up for failure before you even start isn’t fun for anyone. If your week is particularly full with meetings and after-work commitments, aim for smaller goals.”
Christensen adds that weekly goals don’t have to be penciled in with hard and fast deadlines. You should also make room for non-repeating weekly goals or small things you can accomplish when you have free time.
“When your schedule allows, go ahead and pile on a few extra to-do’s. You’ll be surprised how more structure seems to provide more flexibility and more room for spontaneity.”
Rewarding weekly goals for employees engagement
Weekly goals, Christensen says, keep employees “motivated, engaged, and focused on their work” – and having little goals that are easy to check off of your to-do list can raise morale by leaps and bounds.
“The feeling of accomplishment with each checkmark can be deeply satisfying — everyone loves the feeling of getting things done! By setting realistic weekly goals, employees can measure their efforts and keep motivated.”
Additionally, tiny goals lead to big successes, and the more one works on minor aspects of a project incrementally, the less daunting their workload can be.
“Having a goal in sight also helps break down challenging tasks into more manageable chunks — giving everyone the opportunity to make significant progress each week that contributes to overall success. Weekly goal setting also helps employees see how their efforts help the whole company move forward rather than feeling isolated and unsure how their individual contribution helps the company.”
Making your weekly goals count
Christensen says there are a few ways to tackle the weekly goals that make you feel accomplished and productive. Having a handle on how you’ve accomplished these regularly occurring goals is important, as measuring success will continually inspire you. The best way to feel rewarded for all you’ve accomplished, Christensen says, is to write down the goals you’ve hit throughout the week.
“Whatever your goal-tracking method, there’s something about writing your goals down electronically or on paper and crossing them off as you accomplish them. I personally look at my weekly goals every morning over a cup of coffee – it helps me start the day focused, fresh, and energetic.
Christensen also adds that she likes to categorize her goals into personal and professional sections. Every goal has an end, whether it’s leisure, consistency, morale-boosting, or mission-driven.
“Some of my current weekly goals are related to my health and include following my daily movement plan and reaching my daily protein goal. I also have a daily reading goal because reading helps me relax and unwind.”
Additionally, Christensen’s professional goals aren’t just about the little things she needs to accomplish throughout the week. They all feed into a greater purpose and are each informed by a larger value system.
“My professional goals are tied to bigger picture goals for my company,” she adds. “Remember, smaller is better when it comes to goal setting. It’s always better to set achievable goals rather than consistently miss the mark.