What are Your HEART Goals? Part 2
In yesterday’s post, I introduced you to my concept of HEART goals and how to get started. Now that you’ve hopefully had some time to take stock of your values, let’s take a look at the next piece.
My HEART Goals are mine. Your HEART goals are yours. Unlike goal-setting experiences we each encounter in our professional settings, they are not dependent upon what others are doing in order for me or you to achieve them. However, because we are all interconnected as humans beings, our personal goals have a secondary benefit, and that is that our work toward them and ultimately, our achievement can help others that we encounter along our path. This is true for all the other pieces (the E-A-R-T) of HEART goals.
In focusing on the E for Empowering, I have found that a goal that is interesting for me to set and work toward is usually something that makes me feel empowered, or I am empowered as I work toward achieving it. According to Merriam-Webster, the word empower means to give power to, to give official authority, or to promote the self-actualization of. As you think about a goal that would be empowering for you to achieve that aligns with your values:
What is the official authority you are giving yourself as you set this goal?
What will working toward and achieving this goal give you power to do?
How will working toward and achieving this goal promote your self-actualization based on your values?
One of my HEART goals this year is to use my voice more through public speaking opportunities and social media to support emerging leaders and women to see themselves authentically and gain the confidence to achieve their own leadership goals. This is empowering to me because I am giving myself permission (or authority) to speak up and speak out. Each time I “put myself out there”, I increase my confidence and my ability to convey my message. My hope is that the secondary empowerment of others will take place in the hearts, minds, and actions of those who hear and receive my message. That they will give themselves permission to speak up and speak out, knowing that their voice is worthy of being heard. This promotes my self-actualization toward making the world a better place by helping others to use their voices as well, and by doing so, we each lift each other up.
If you’re a proponent of SMART goals, I know you’re asking, “how are you going to measure that?” Hang in there - I’m going to talk about that soon.
For those of you who really need help giving yourself permission or official authority, here is your official permission slip.
