Seven Wonders of Achievement - by David Finney

There are 4 cornerstones to job satisfaction:

• Community – to feel that I am part of an interacting group

• Worth – to feel that I am heard, appreciated and valued

• Inspiration – to feel I am challenged and motivated into action

• Growth – to feel that I am continually learning and developing

Mark each cornerstone out of 10, in terms of your current job satisfaction. What are the ratings telling you about what you need to do or where you need to go? It’s easy to forget the key principles of goal setting – even for those who are active in learning and development like trainers or coaches.

In selecting and defining our goals we should observe the 7 Wonders of Achievement:

1. CONVERSATION

Everything starts with a Conversation and so the quality of that conversation determines everything. That first conversation might be with a boss, a prospective employer, a colleague, a friend or a loved one; or maybe it’s a conversation you need to have with yourself. 

“What conversation are you not having now that if you were to have could have a significant and positive impact on your life?”

2. COMMITMENT

Focussing on the benefits of the goal leads to a greater Commitment and an unwavering determination to achieving goals. Patience, persistence and positivity can be a healthy mantra to add to the morning ritual. Abraham Lincoln experienced two failed businesses, a nervous breakdown and eight political defeats before becoming president of the United States in 1860.

3. CHALLENGE

An essential part of designing a goal is that it should present a Challenge to the achiever. This is something trainers in The Coaching Academy will tell you a lot about on its coaching courses. If there is an insufficient level of challenge, motivation levels can dip; whilst if the goal is too overwhelming, panic can set in. So, imagine a mid-point between ‘Comfort Zone’ and ‘Panic’ and ensure there is an element of ‘stretch’, so that you feel challenged although not overwhelmed.

4. ROADMAP

The fourth wonder is the importance of visual stimuli and so a Roadmap can aid navigation and provide landmarks to aim for. The insertion of rewards at each milestone can bolster motivation and increase the feel-good factor, whilst breaking the journey into achievable chunks can reduce panic. Sometimes the path to the goal can be just as much fun as achieving the goal itself, if not more so.

5. SMART GOAL

Probably the most common appraisal and development tool in the corporate world is the Smart acronym. The goal should be specific; measurable; achievable; relevant; time-bound. No surprises here to include ‘Smart’ – the tool is a vital part of goal setting and acts as a great checklist.

6. VALUES

The goal should be aligned to personal Values and also attuned to emotional needs. Without this alignment internal discord can weaken resolve and may lead to future conflict – internal and external. An example might be a person who values family time and chooses a career which involves frequent travel. Coaching training courses at The Coaching Academy include a clear focus on goal alignment.

7. POWER OF CHOICE

The greatest power a human being has is the Power of Choice and that we should never forget that there is nothing that we ever ‘have’ to do. You have the power of choice, doesn’t it feel great?

If you feel that Coaching could be a potential full or part time opportunity for you, or if you would just like to know a little more about what Coaching is and how it can benefit you and the lives of others, please contact our Specialist Course Advisor, Jamil on 0208 996 4830 or email: Jamil@the-coaching-academy.com

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