Q&A with Kerry Jones, Executive Coach for Professional Services and Founder of Kerry Jones Coaching
Hi Kerry, Happy New Year! We are so pleased to have you on Trifecta. As we step into the new year, many of our readers will be getting into goal-setting and action plans. From your perspective, is this a crucial step? If so, where should they begin?
I am a huge fan of goal-setting! The saying “If you don’t know where you are going, how will you know when you get there?” is so true. If you take the time to choose meaningful goals, they will motivate you to achieve more than you could ever have imagined this year.
Naturally, at this time of year, many of my coaching sessions cover goals – income targets, achievements, and changes. When I was in the corporate world, the S.M.A.R.T. goal-setting model was emphasised but this never resonated with me and I don’t use it with my clients.
Instead, I believe that the ‘gold’ in effective goal-setting lies in asking yourself honest, fundamental questions about what you truly want. And sometimes this can be the hardest question to answer! With no fear of judgement, ask yourself; do you want more money, more flexibility, more challenge, more peace or maybe something entirely different this year?
And importantly, why do you want that? What difference is achieving that going to make to your life? Once you have understood this connection between want and why, choosing your goals becomes much easier.
Goal setting can sometimes feel overwhelming. What advice do you have for lawyers to set effective and achievable goals?
Firstly, being in a positive mindset makes a huge difference to how you set goals. Rather than approach the task like it’s a chore, instead view it as a fantastic opportunity to create and build a life that will work for you and your family this year.
Before you can create plans, goals and objectives for the year ahead, you need to understand how you are feeling about your career or business RIGHT NOW. Completing a review of 2023 is incredibly valuable.
The first exercise I do with my lawyer clients is to help them “take stock”. Take a really honest look at what went well, what you enjoyed, what you achieved. Look at what didn’t go well and what aspects of your business or role you didn’t enjoy.
By enhancing your self-awareness in this way, you can take the learnings and apply them to your 2024 planning.
Using your what and why as a starting point, you can start to break down your overall goal into smaller goals.
I always find that a good number of goals is around 5-8. This keeps them meaningful. The goals that have come up most frequently with lawyers this month are:
- A financial or income target
- New clients – number of new clients or the TYPE of clients
- Existing clients- expanding the offer to service more of their needs
- New offer/package/proposition
- Networking – choosing where to network, how frequently and with whom
- Visibility – raising your profile (internally and externally), increasing personal brand
- Personal investment/work-life balance/development
If you are really struggling, this is where talking with a peer or a coach can help steer and guide your thinking.
Once you have a list, have a look at them and ask yourself; “Do these goals excite me? Do I REALLY want to achieve them this year?” and if the answer is yes, write them up and print them out. Place them somewhere you can see them so that they are there to encourage and motivate you every day.
“Accountability is a game-changer in both personal and professional life, so it makes sense that if we really want something, we build it in”.
The new year is often a time when people’s good intentions are quickly replaced with the busyness and stress of life. What would your number 1 tip be for our readers to stay focussed?
Most of my clients tell me that they are so busy that they are “switched on” as soon as they wake up. This can be particularly true for parents who need to manage the breakfast/getting dressed/school-run drama with little people! Often, we can launch straight into the day without a moment to really think about what we want.
I have found the most effective habit to combat this is to establish a morning routine. This allows you to show up as the best version of yourself each day. Taking time (even 15 minutes) for yourself each morning (with a cuppa!) to journal, think about the day ahead and connect with what you are feeling is a game-changer. You’ll find that you are more in control of your day rather than your day controlling you.
Once goals are set, how can individuals effectively track and measure progress throughout the year?
I encourage all of my clients to not only have yearly goals but to break them down into a quarterly action plan. This contains the details of what to do, each quarter, for you to achieve your overall goal. Review it each month and refresh it at the start of each new quarter. This works particularly well for those who have very busy roles or practices. One of my Partners has printed her Q1 plan and keeps it in her diary so she can update it when she’s working on a train.
How else can individuals make sure that they achieve their goals?
Probably the biggest success factor is accountability. As a coach, I’ve witnessed first-hand the transformative power of accountability in guiding individuals towards their goals. Just this morning, a client told me that a huge part of the change she has experienced over the last 3 months of us working together has been due to ACCOUNTABILITY.
Accountability is a game-changer in both personal and professional life so it makes sense that if we really want something, we build it in. Some tips to do this are:
1. Have regular check-ins: Consistent communication is key – either with yourself or with others. I tend to coach weekly or fortnightly as it allows me to assess progress, address challenges, and celebrate victories with the client. If you are being accountable to a friend or partner, be clear when they will be checking in with you. If you are keeping yourself accountable – know exactly when and how you will do this.
2. Create smaller milestones: Breaking down your larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks creates a sense of achievement at every step. These smaller milestones serve as markers of progress and will encourage and motivate you as you reach them.
3. Self-reflection: Accountability isn’t just external; it’s also about developing a sense of internal responsibility. Regularly reflect on your progress, challenges, and what you have learned about yourself.
4. Celebrate achievements: Recognising and celebrating achievements, no matter how small, is vital. I often encourage clients to choose a reward for achieving both big and small goals (these could be a nice meal out, a mini-break etc).
Remember, accountability is a partnership – with yourself or with someone else. It’s not just about reaching the destination; it’s about the journey and the growth experienced along the way.
If you struggle to set meaningful goals or believe you would value encouragement and accountability in 2024, explore working with a Coach this year.
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About KerryKerry Jones is an accredited Executive Coach with a strong commercial and corporate background. She specialises in supporting ambitious individuals in Professional Services to thrive in their careers and businesses. Find out more about Kerry’s services: www.kerryjonescoaching.com or book a complimentary discovery call here |
