As the year comes to a close, many of us are taking time to reflect and plan. It’s a natural rhythm—looking back to celebrate wins and lessons learned while also looking forward to envisioning what’s next. Goal setting is more than a task or an exercise; it’s an intentional act of self-leadership that shapes your journey to a successful life.
So how can we set goals that are not just achievable, but fulfilling?
The answer lies in creating a goal-setting system that is as holistic and dynamic as you are—one that integrates every part of your life and keeps you grounded in your core values.
Let’s dive into three essential areas to explore as you prepare for the upcoming year.
Establish or Revisit Your Personal Ecosystem
If you have experienced my coaching, you have heard me talk about the importance of creating a personal ecosystem.
Your personal ecosystem is a dynamic network of interconnected elements within your life—your relationships, goals, habits, values, and external environment—that interact to create balance, growth, and sustainability. Like a natural ecosystem, these elements work together to sustain your energy, nurture your personal and professional growth, and support your overall well-being.
As you decide where to invest your time, talent, and treasure in the new year, think of your personal ecosystem as the foundation for everything you want to achieve. Starting your goal setting journey here is about intentionally creating harmony between your personal, professional, and spiritual aspirations.
While I offer a full workshop on designing your personal ecosystem, here’s where you can start:
Clarify Your Vision and Legacy
Your goals should be rooted in who you are and the impact you want to make. Start by reflecting on the roles and responsibilities that define you. Ask yourself: What do I want to accomplish in my career? How do I want to show up for my family? What legacy do I want to leave in my community?
Identify Key Components of Your Life
Break your life into categories like career, personal growth, relationships, and self-care. Each category is a branch of your ecosystem that requires attention and care to thrive. Each category you identify becomes an element in your ecosystem.
Once your ecosystem is clear, you’re ready to set meaningful goals.
While many may be familiar with the traditional SMART goal system, I’ve created a unique approach that aligns with the personal ecosystem I teach to help you achieve success AND fulfillment.
The POWER Framework for Goal Setting
Years ago, I realized that setting goals just to accomplish a “thing” wasn’t enough. What truly matters is how that “thing” integrates with the bigger picture of my life in a meaningful way. That’s where the POWER framework comes in. It’s not just about achieving tasks—it’s about weaving purpose, intention, progress, and reflection into the journey, all while staying true to who you are.
For me, this approach is deeply rooted in my core values, which serve as a compass for how I set and achieve goals. These values are not just principles; they reflect who I am at my core and shape how I move through life:
Self-Awareness: Understanding who I am and what motivates me. This clarity drives my actions and decisions.
Congruency: Aligning my internal values with my external actions. This harmony ensures that how I show up in the world feels authentic and balanced.
Integrity: Living authentically and honoring my truth by staying aligned with my divine purpose.
The POWER framework is more than a method—it’s a way to achieve your goals while staying connected to your purpose and honoring your values. It’s a reminder that success isn’t just about what you accomplish but how you grow and stay true to yourself along the way.
P - Prioritize
Start by identifying what truly matters. This is where you clarify your vision and understand how your goals tie into your values. What’s most important for you right now? Prioritize your goals based on their alignment with your vision and the impact you want to create.
O - Organize
Now that you’ve prioritized, it’s time to create a clear plan. Organizing your goals with deadlines, checkpoints, and review points ensures that you're staying on track and adjusting as needed. Break down each goal into manageable steps and create timelines to stay focused. Set specific targets and measurable outcomes. This is where you define how you’ll get there.
W - Work with Intention
Goal-setting is about more than just checking boxes. It’s about working with purpose and focus. Every action you take should be intentional, whether it’s carving out time to prioritize a personal project or developing your leadership skills.
E - Energize and Celebrate
As you make progress, celebrate your wins. No matter how big or small, acknowledging your accomplishments is essential for motivation. And don’t forget to recharge when needed. Progress isn’t just about action—it’s about sustaining your energy over time.
R - Rest and Reflect
Rest is essential for long-term effectiveness. Reflect regularly on your progress and check in with yourself to see how you're feeling—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Are your goals still in alignment with your personal ecosystem? Are you honoring your boundaries and prioritizing self-care?
The POWER framework doesn’t replace the strength of the SMART format—it builds on it, making it even smarter. While SMART helps you set clear and actionable goals, POWER takes it a step further by shifting your approach from compartmentalization to integration. It ensures your goals don’t just check a box but become a meaningful part of your life as a whole.
Last but CERTAINLY not least. Don’t forget the stretch!
Growth happens when you set goals that push you beyond what you believe you’re capable of achieving. During my time as a corporate leader, I became known for assigning “stretch goals” to my team—challenging objectives that inspired growth and resilience. Today, I still apply that same principle to my own life, using stretch goals to expand my practice and enhance my leadership effectiveness.
Achievement Goals: The Power of Evidence and Confidence
The first stretch goal I set is an Achievement goal. Achievement goals are the big, impactful milestones that stretch your capabilities and push you to the next level.
These are the goals that, once reached, become undeniable proof that you are "that girl"—a force to be reckoned with in both your professional and personal life.
These goals aren't just about crossing things off a list; they serve as tangible evidence of your growth, progress, and ability to execute.
They are crucial for your self-confidence and personal narrative. Whether it's launching a new project, earning a significant promotion, or completing an advanced certification, these goals highlight your ability to take on challenges and win.
Additionally, when you accomplish an achievement goal, it's more than just personal satisfaction; it creates bragging rights that reinforce your professional and personal brand. This tangible proof becomes leverage—allowing you to confidently advocate for yourself when asking for compensation, recognition, and opportunities.
Big Visibility Moment Goals: Claiming Your Spot and Leveraging Success
The second goal is what I have coined, “Big Visibility Moment” goals. These goals are designed to place you in the spotlight, pushing you into spaces where your expertise, leadership, and achievements can be seen, celebrated, and recognized. These moments create opportunities for you to showcase your capabilities, gain visibility, and establish yourself as an authority in your field.
A Big Visibility Moment might come in the form of speaking at a major conference, publishing a thought leadership article, or receiving a prestigious award.
These moments not only affirm your credibility but allow you to position yourself as a leader.
They give you a platform to share your story, inspire others, and reinforce your personal and professional brand.
Beyond the immediate recognition, these moments are key to your career trajectory. They become pivotal in conversations around compensation, promotions, and influence. When you’ve successfully navigated a Big Visibility Moment, you are able to use it as leverage—demonstrating to decision-makers that you are not just capable but a high-profile leader who deserves to be compensated and rewarded at a level that reflects your impact.
I recommend setting one goal in each of these categories. While it’s certainly possible to set more, I often challenge clients who bring multiple goals in the same category. Why? Because if you’re truly stretching yourself, one well-chosen goal should be enough to push you beyond your comfort zone and drive meaningful growth.
As someone who is a self-proclaimed lifelong learner, goal-setting is part of my blueprint. The idea of mapping out how different my business, career, and life could look in one year excites me. What keeps me grounded is knowing that my goals are aligned with my personal ecosystem and guided by the POWER framework. Connecting my personal ecosystem to my goal-setting activities and using the POWER framework has been a lifehack.
As you approach the new year, I challenge you to stretch, achieve, and elevate in a way that aligns with your whole self. Build your ecosystem thoughtfully, and use the POWER framework to create goals that serve every part of your life.
This isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing what matters.
With a clear vision, intentional goals, and the courage to embrace big moments, you’ll find yourself leading and living from a place of purpose, balance, and joy.
Here’s to your most intentional and fulfilling year yet!
Kenya
Would you like more guidance on building your personal ecosystem or setting POWER goals? Connect with me for a coaching session designed to help you create a life and career you love!
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