New research in the fields of neuroscience and organizational psychology suggests by setting appropriate, short-term goals we can maximize our productivity at work. As we accomplish tasks and projects in small chunks, we end up getting more done and feeling better about our work products. In addition to helping us get more done, short-term goal setting also helps avoid burnout and malaise at the office.
But how do we set the right kinds of goals for ourselves? One effective way to develop great goals at work is to make sure that they are MAFA—Measurable, Aligned, Feasible and Ambitious. Read below to learn how to make sure your work goals are MAFA:
- Measurable. There should be a clear, quantifiable way to know if your goal is met. For instance, you might say that you want to complete three expense reports, write a proposal that’s six pages in length, or hold individual conferences with six coworkers.
- Aligned. The short-term goals you set need to be aligned with your broader professional roles and responsibilities. If you work in advertising, for example, you’ll want to make sure that your small goals are in line with the vision for whatever advertising campaign your company is developing; if you work in healthcare, your goals should track with the policies, procedures, and strategy of the parent organization that employs you.
- Feasible. Your goal has got to be doable! Typically, the best short-term goals can be accomplished in four weeks or less.
- Ambitious. We all need a little bit of a push to be the best version of ourselves. When you set your short-term goals at work, make sure you’re being ambitious…pushing yourself to be as productive, creative, and successful as you can be!
We all know how good it feels when we perform our best. By setting short-term goals that are measurable, aligned, feasible and ambitious, we will not only do our best but will feel more fulfilled by the work we do. Make a push to set and achieve new goals at work now!
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