Goals Help Groups Achieve Too!
Are you a member of a group or organization? You probably are. Most of us belong to a church, a club, or organization of some kind that works together to accomplish things that are important to the members of the group. Groups can, and should, use goals just as individuals do. Think about it. If it works for an individual to organize and structure his or her actions to achieve an important goal, the same principles will work for a group as well. The goal achievement process is very much the same. In fact, using a structured, orderly approach to setting and achieving goals can be even more important for a group than for an individual. Why? Because it's easier for an individual to focus on a goal than it is for a group of individuals. All the members of the group might be using the same words to describe the goal, but different members may well have slightly different interpretations of what those words mean. So, clearly defining the goal ensures that all the group's members understand exactly what the goal is. Then, when the action plan is developed and clearly defined, everyone will understand the plan too. In fact, the discussion that occurs in developing the goal and the plan will help refine the plan to be the best possible. There's a big side benefit for the group too. Remember how you feel when you are pursuing an important goal? You have a sense of purpose. You're excited because you are focusing on something that is important to you. These same feelings will occur in the group that's purposely working toward a goal. The group will have a feeling of unity and excitement because they are all working together to achieve the goal. So, the next time your organization has a project of some sort, remember to use what you know about achieving goals to help the group achieve theirs. The results may surprise you!