As of the launch of this post, we are exactly halfway through Q1 in 2024. Don’t panic. It's an ideal time to pause, reflect, and set intentions for the months ahead. The journey toward personal and professional growth is a mix of goals, habits, and self-discovery. To guide you through this process, we've gathered insights from Mento coaches, each offering a unique perspective on goal setting and growth.

Embracing Emotional Roadmaps with Stephanie Baysinger

Stephanie Baysinger emphasizes the importance of not just what you want to achieve but also how you want to feel. "As you jot down all the things you want to achieve and tackle in 2024, don't forget to include how you want to feel," she advises. This approach serves as an emotional roadmap, guiding decisions, aiding in facing challenges, and enhancing the joy of victories. It's a reminder that the journey is as significant as the destination.

Stephanie Baysinger

People Operations and Leadership Coach, Mento

Former Director of Recruiting Operations, Marqeta (x-HubSpot)

The Creative Exercise of Goal Setting with Nina Patel

Nina Patel views goal setting as a creative exercise that requires a bit of wandering to find clarity in what truly matters. She suggests a series of reflective questions to facilitate this exploration, such as what advice you would give yourself as your own coach, the most impactful feedback from the past year, and visualizing milestones for 2024. This method encourages a deep dive into one's aspirations and values, ensuring goals are aligned with personal truths and life outside of work.

Nina Patel

Product and Engineering Coach, Mento

Former Engineering Manager, Coalition (x-Salesforce, NASA)

Documenting the Journey with Marni Hamberg

Marni Hamberg proposes a novel approach to commitment: documenting the goal-setting process through video. Recording your initial enthusiasm and reflecting on it during moments of doubt can reignite motivation. A year-end video to recap achievements and lessons learned offers a powerful visual of personal growth. This technique not only keeps goals front and center but also provides tangible evidence of how far you've come.

Marni Hamberg

Marketing and People Operations Coach, Mento

Former Brand Manager, Anheuser-Busch (x-Mercer)

Actionable Steps and Support Networks with Rondi Mertes

Rondi Mertes suggests breaking your goals down into actionable steps or achievable milestones on a weekly, monthly, and quarterly basis. Then, allocate a short period of time, she recommends 5 minutes, for self-assessment to document the progress you've made at the end of each week. Finally, announcing goals to those in your support network ensures accountability and keeps you on track. This structured approach makes ambitious goals more attainable.

Rondi Mertes

Product & Operations Coach, Mento

Former VP, Product Management, Salesforce (x-Oracle)

Using the GROW model with Rob Schmidt

Rob Schmidt recommends the use of the GROW model, a structured framework for goal setting and problem-solving. This model guides individuals through four stages:

• (G) Goal: First, identify a meaningful goal and define it using SMART terms to ensure it is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. Then align the goal with your values and envision the ideal outcome.
• (R) Reality: Assess your current situation in relation to the goal. Think about what you have tried so far and how successful that has been for you.
• (O) Options: Explore various paths to achieve the goal, consider the implications of different actions, and consult others for advice to help narrow down the options to a clear plan.
• (W) Way Forward: Plan your next steps, anticipate potential obstacles, and strategize how to overcome them. This ensures sustained momentum.

Rob underscores the importance of a systematic approach to goal setting, ensuring that individuals not only dream big but also have a concrete plan to turn those dreams into reality.

Rob Schmidt

People Operations and Executive Coach, Mento

Director of Sales and Coaching Implementation, Mento

Conclusion

From emotional roadmaps and creative exploration to actionable steps and the power of documentation, these strategies from Mento Coaches have one goal: to help you thrive in 2024.

Looking for more support in 2024? Learn more about how a Mento Coach can help you thrive in 2024 and beyond.