Latest news with #goalsetting
Forbes
4 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
How To Prepare For Your Mid-Year Review With 20 Insightful Questions
Mid-year review with your manager at the office Are you preparing for your mid-year review and unsure where to start? This is a common topic I discuss with my clients at this time of year. Mid-year reviews can be more than just performance checks. They can offer a valuable chance to advance your career, revisit your goals, and strengthen your relationship with your manager or team. However, to maximize the benefits of this conversation, thorough preparation is essential. For me, mid-year reviews were always intimidating and anxious moments, where I would just sit and listen to what wasn't good enough. So I want you to experience it differently. What if it isn't just a time to receive feedback, but a chance to get curious, ask thoughtful questions, and deepen mutual understanding? Whether you're an employee or a manager, this conversation is a valuable pause to check alignment, explore goals, and uncover needs that may not surface in day-to-day work. The right questions can bring clarity, boost motivation, and ensure you're not just going through the motions but growing with intention. Whether you're leading the review or on the receiving end, asking the right questions can turn a routine meeting into a powerful coaching moment. Below are question lists for both employees and managers to spark curiosity, encourage open dialogue, and make your mid-year review more productive and motivating. Questions Employees Should Bring to a Mid-Year Review If you're an employee walking into your mid-year review, don't just show up with a list of accomplishments. But on the other side, don't just come asking what was wrong. Asking questions as an employee is also a way to show your confidence and curiosity. Come prepared to ask questions that demonstrate initiative, seek feedback, and express your desire to grow. Remember, open-ended questions like starting with what, how, or where are always more helpful than yes or no questions, as they can encourage even the quietest manager to share more details about what you need. Questions Managers Should Ask During a Mid-Year Review Mid-year reviews aren't just a time to evaluate performance—they're an opportunity to lead with curiosity. A curious manager doesn't assume they know everything happening around them. Instead, they ask questions to understand each employee's experience, strengths, challenges, and aspirations. A curious manager also refrains from jumping straight to ratings or outcomes, because focusing only on results can put employees on the defensive or make them feel like they need to fight or flee (that's how I felt; that is why these conversations were intimidating to me). Instead, ask thoughtful questions to uncover what's truly driving or blocking your employees, how they feel about their work, and what they need to succeed in the second half of the year. As Richard Boyatzis states in his book 'Helping People Change,' when you focus on progress—the things you've achieved so far and where you want to go, rather than what's missing, your PEA (positive emotional attractor) is activated, and you shine. Your eyes brighten, and your speech speeds up. You become more open to possibilities and feel renewed and curious. As a leader, you can approach this performance review as an honest conversation, with genuine curiosity and a coach mindset. Below are questions that can help uncover what your employees truly need to thrive and how you can support them in doing their best work. A mid-year review shouldn't be approached with fear, they're a chance to pause, reflect, and get curious about what's possible. When both employees and managers come to the conversation with openness and a growth mindset, it becomes less about judgment and more about opportunity. Asking thoughtful questions helps uncover what's working, what's needed, and how to move forward with clarity and confidence. No pressure, just focus on progress for both.
Entrepreneur
a day ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
I Build My Year With One Word — Why You Should Too
This is how I use one word to lead better, live sharper and stay focused. This is why you should try it next year. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Here's one thing no one tells you: You don't need a list of resolutions to change your life. You just need one word. As I write this, we're almost exactly halfway through the year. 2026 is right in front of us. This is when most people forget what they said they'd focus on. I double down. Every January, I pick a word. One word to carry with me through the chaos, wins, losses and curveballs of the year. It becomes a filter for everything I do. I keep it simple and intentional. And it works. My focus filter I started doing this when I realized that goal-setting had become a check-the-box exercise. You write a list. You feel good for a week. Then life gets busy, and that list turns into clutter. Picking one word cuts through the noise. My word this year is WIN. That word shows up everywhere. It reminds me to focus. To move with urgency. To focus on results without losing my grip on what matters. WIN isn't about beating someone else. It's about being relentless with follow-through. Showing up when it counts. Pushing the needle. Owning the outcome. Making the decision, not waiting for permission. Winning doesn't always look like a trophy. Sometimes it looks like saying no. Sometimes it looks like trying again. This word calls me to ask: Is this a win? Not just for business, but for my mindset, my family, my team and my time. That's what makes it powerful. It's a word that checks me. It sharpens me. It stretches me. This is what I mean when I say bring meaning to the word. It starts as a guidepost. It becomes part of how you show up. Related: Are You a Winner? How to Truly Define Winning in Your Business One word. Many contexts. Some years the word is loud. Other years, it's quiet. Sometimes it lives in your head. Other times, it lands in a conversation that sticks with you. Your word shifts as you grow. A single word can carry weight across your business, your relationships, your faith and your mindset. This works because it stays flexible. It works because it fits real life. Forget the overhead You don't need a new app. You don't need a template, a whiteboard or a checklist. You just need one word. One word that makes you sit up a little straighter. One word that reminds you when you forget. One word that holds up when everything else starts slipping. This isn't about optimization. It's about clarity. It is also easy to remember. Don't underestimate processes that make your life easier. Sometimes, those are the best ones. I don't track my word in a spreadsheet. I don't write it on my mirror. I just keep it with me. It becomes part of how I move through the world. Related: 8 Winning Strategies for Succeeding in a Hyper-Competitive Market Words give direction Let me tell you something else I've learned. The word you choose will challenge you. It'll show up in places you didn't expect. It might frustrate you, hold up a mirror, or push you out of autopilot. That's not a flaw in the system. That's the whole point. You're not choosing a mascot. You're choosing a message. One that lives with you for 365 days. One that asks you questions and doesn't always give easy answers. This isn't about buzzwords or branding. This is about accountability. A good word builds tension. The kind that moves you forward. A strong word points you forward. The word brings clarity. It gives language to your process. It helps you measure decisions. Should I take that deal? Should I say yes to that partnership? Should I spend my time here? Run it through the word. You filter food through your diet. You filter money through your budget. You can filter your choices through one clear idea. Let that word lead. Let it guide how you show up, how you speak, how you recover and how you grow. Related: How I Turned My Learning Disabilities Into a Superpower What's your word? If this is your first time hearing about choosing a word of the year, consider this your invitation. You don't need a strategy or a system. You just need the willingness to try something new. You've got six months left in this year. That's plenty of time to bring focus to the second half. Or you can bank this idea and start fresh in January. There's nothing wrong with a word (of the second half) of the year. Pick a word that fits where you're headed. A word that you want to grow into. A word that reflects the kind of person you want to be when the year ends. Let it challenge you. Let it check you. Let it shape you. You don't have to overthink it. You just have to commit to it. Try it next year. See what happens when your entire year is guided by one word with real meaning. One word. One year. Try it.
Forbes
25-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Walking Through Life Boldly: The Alternative View On Goal-Setting
Mikhail Saidov, master coach instructor, creator of Metacognitive Programming, a coaching and therapeutic technique. Founder & CEO of IMCP. Over the past few decades, goal-setting has become a science—and sometimes, a cliché. Latham and Locke, among others, suggest that goals should be not only specific but also difficult, because difficult goals generate higher performance than vague or easy ones. More recent frameworks, like behavioral goal-setting theory, emphasize the SMART model: goals must be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. Vague intentions, it turns out, can dilute motivation and leave individuals or teams in a fog. But in the age of constant reinvention—of industries, identities and entire life paths—is 'achievable' still the gold standard? I don't believe so. At least, not if we want goals that don't just organize our calendars, but rewire who we are. While overlapping with both of these perspectives, my view takes a slightly different route. I believe that life and goals should be walked boldly. Boldness is not a trait reserved for certain professions, personalities or stages of life. It's a stance. The most powerful goals are not the ones we check off; they're the ones that shape us in the pursuit. My take on goal-setting is inseparable from boldness. Below are five criteria I use when helping individuals and teams set bold goals—not just difficult ones, but goals that stretch identity, shift perception and demand transformation. 1. The Desirability Of The Path People want the outcome. Very few want the path. They want the thriving business, but not the seasons of doubt, discipline and rebuilding. They want the marathon medal, not the long mornings of sore muscles and rain. This is where most goals fail, not because people aren't 'motivated,' but because the process required is misaligned with who they are or want to be. A meaningful goal is one where the path itself feels alive. The work, even when it's hard, offers dignity or depth. You don't need to love every moment of it, but you need to want the journey more than the reward. If you dread the daily grind of getting there, it's likely the wrong mountain. 2. End Over Means We rarely want what we think we want. We say we want money, but we're craving security. We chase applause, hoping it fills a hole in self-worth. We frame success in external terms while quietly longing for peace. Many goals are means to an emotional end, but we confuse the two. And then, once the outer goal is reached, the inner need remains unmet. The shift happens when you start setting goals not to impress, fix or escape, but to evolve. To grow in the direction of the person you want to become. When that's clear, the goal becomes less of a checkbox and more of a compass. 3. Nearly Impossible Is The Point Latham and Locke taught us that difficult goals improve performance. I suggest going one step further: make them nearly impossible. Set goals that stretch your identity. The kind that feels beyond your current self—just far enough that you're not sure if you can do it, but close enough that you want to try. What I'm saying may seem contradictory to the A (achievable) from Rachmad's SMART goals. But, I'm not saying we should aim for 100% impossible goals. Instead, nearly impossible (but still achievable) is what I'm proposing. The paradox is: when the outcome isn't guaranteed, the focus shifts to the process. And that's where transformation happens. You don't have to reach the end for the goal to be worth it. You just have to show up for who you become on the way. 4. Clarity Of Outcome I suggest this point in line with the theories by Latham and Locke, Rachmad and many others. Even if your goal is extraordinary, it still needs definition. Ambiguity drains energy. Without a clear outcome, the brain spins in uncertainty, the body hesitates and the mission loses coherence. Clarity doesn't mean inflexibility. It means you know what direction you're moving in, even if you never fully arrive. Define what success looks like. Give it shape, weight and language. Not to get attached, but to aim with intention. 5. Time And Steps—Especially The First Ones Ten-year plans make great TED talks. But in real life, they often act as a hiding place for fear. In a world that reinvents itself every eighteen months, five years is the outer limit when it comes to goal setting. Anything beyond becomes conceptual and convenience masquerades as patience. Once the timeline is grounded, define your next actions. Especially the first ones. They are not logistical, they are psychological. The first steps are where identity starts to shift. If those first steps spark energy or resistance, take them seriously—it will make it easier for you to face the challenges. That's where growth begins. Final Thoughts These five criteria may partially mirror traditional frameworks, but the shift they require is foundational. We don't set bold goals to accumulate more. We set bold goals to become more. To trade predictability for possibility. To let who we are today meet who we're capable of becoming. So if this resonates, give it a try: Choose a goal that makes you slightly nervous to say out loud. Make sure the process is one you're willing to love or at least respect. Define the destination, commit to a real timeframe and take the first step that makes your voice shake. And then reflect. Relentlessly. Because progress without reflection becomes motion without meaning. A journal can help. The Efficiency Journal is one tool, but any method that keeps you honest with yourself will do. Because in the end, bold goal-setting isn't just about arriving somewhere new. It's about becoming someone you hadn't yet imagined you could be. Forbes Coaches Council is an invitation-only community for leading business and career coaches. Do I qualify?
Globe and Mail
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Globe and Mail
Your daily horoscope: June 21, 2025
The No. 1 thing you need to focus on this year is going after a single goal at a time. The more your mind is full of plans and schemes the less progress you are likely to make, so live in the moment and let the universe guide you. A family dispute of some kind can be resolved quite easily this weekend but you do need to be conscious of other people's feelings. You have a tendency to say things that sensitive types find a bit hurtful, though of course you don't mean it. You will be called on to sort out a quarrel between friends that has nothing to do with you personally. Although you may be tempted to favor one side over the other you must remain rigidly impartial. Don't jeopardize your reputation for fairness. The sun's move into the financial area of your chart today means you need to devote more attention to a money matter of some kind. If you leave it for other people to sort out you may end up paying more than if you had done it yourself. Forget about everything that went before and focus entirely on what your next big move is going to be. The sun's entry into your birth sign this weekend means you are perfectly placed to make a new start on every important level you can think of. You may be something of a human dynamo but as the sun moves into the most sensitive area of your chart this weekend you would be wise to slow down a bit. You don't have to move faster than everyone else – at least not all the time. The sun is now joining Mercury and Jupiter in the friendship area of your chart, so don't sit at home by yourself. Get out into the world and meet the kind of people who make you glad to be alive. They'll be just as glad to see you. As the sun moves into the career area of your chart this weekend you can and you must set yourself targets that challenge you on the work front. If you think you are better than your rivals then now is the perfect time to prove it. A more inspiring phase is now under way and you will find no end of opportunities to express yourself over the next few weeks. Don't hold back because you fear your ideas might upset other people – in fact, make that your No. 1 aim! Life may be a serious business but don't react to events in the world around you as if all is doom and destruction. People who think like that are best avoided while you go out of your way to show them there is much to enjoy and be joyful about. Your focus now must be on getting important relationships back on track. Some of them have been so beset by gloom and doom in recent weeks that you may even have considered giving up on them. What happens next will convince you that isn't necessary. By all means express your point of view this weekend but don't expect too many people to agree with you. According to the planets you are very much in the minority at the moment, so make sure you can back up your opinions with undeniable facts. Life is about to get hectic in the nicest possible way. Over the next few weeks there will be no end of opportunities to show the world what you can do and you certainly won't hold back. Act at all times as if success is your birthright. Discover more about yourself at
Forbes
12-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
5 ChatGPT Prompts To Manifest Business Success
5 ChatGPT prompts to manifest business success If you're waiting for opportunities to find you, thinking you're about to be 'discovered,' stop. Success demands intention. There is no big break. There is no silver bullet. You have to take action. Put in the effort, attract the goods. There's no other way. Manifestation only works when you work. But it does work. Get intentional with your actions and make the right moves consistently. Even if you're skeptical about manifestation, you cannot deny the power of unwavering alignment when it comes to success. Combine execution with the unknown to reap what you sow and make success inevitable. Copy, paste and edit the square brackets in ChatGPT, and keep the same chat window open so the context carries through. Your subconscious brain processes thousands of pieces of information every second. It needs a target to focus its attention. Choose yours and lock onto it. Write it down, look at it daily, and let every decision move you closer. The clearer your intention, the faster you'll manifest it. Know exactly what you want before you start this practice. "Based on what you know about me and my business goals, help me create a crystal-clear intention for what I want to manifest. Ask me specific questions about my desired outcome, timeline, and why this matters to me. Then create a powerful intention statement that's specific, measurable, and emotionally compelling." Success leaves clues, and those who've already achieved your goals have the roadmap. Find people who've already won your game. Study their moves. Everyone tries to figure everything out alone when the answers are sitting in someone else's experience. Stop reinventing the wheel. Their shortcuts become the path you can test. "Based on what you know about my business goals and industry, identify 3 types of people who have already achieved what I want. For each person type, suggest: where I might find them, what specific questions to ask them, and how to approach them for mentorship or advice. Then create a 30-day plan for learning from winners in my field." Analyse what works. Create processes. Delegate everything. The magic happens when you stop being the bottleneck, not when you sit at your desk grinding away without coming up for air. Write the documentation that means your business works harder than you do. Systems create freedom while chaos creates your prison. Manifest magic via your methods. "Based on what you know about my current business operations, help me identify the top 3 processes I need to systemize immediately. For each process, create a simple documentation template and suggest who could handle it besides me. Include specific steps for transitioning each task from my plate to a documented system within the next 2 weeks." Set the intentions, make the plan, believe it's possible, then do the work knowing the rewards are heading your way. Break your one big goal into tiny actions and carry them out daily. The gap between dreamers and achievers lives in daily discipline. Energy flows where your attention goes. "Based on what you know about my manifestation goal, create a daily action plan, to fit within a timeframe of my choosing. Break down my big goal into 5 micro-actions I must complete every single day. For each action, explain how it directly connects to my larger intention. Then create a simple tracking system to maintain my streak." Build something remarkable. Share your journey. Let reputation work overtime. Create value consistently and opportunities find you instead of the other way around. Build your personal brand and share your strong beliefs so your work becomes your magnet. Stop chasing and start attracting. "Based on what you know about my expertise and target audience, create a 'magnetic content' strategy that attracts opportunities. Suggest 5 specific ways I can showcase my work and journey to build a reputation that draws the right people to me. Include exact content themes, platforms to use, and how to measure whether opportunities are increasing." Stop waiting for success to find you. Set your intention with laser focus and learn from those who've already won. Build systems that work while you sleep, show up with daily discipline, and create work that makes opportunities chase you. Your next level is closer than you think. Make it inevitable. Do the work and manifest the rewards. Access my best ChatGPT prompts to change your life.
