KPI is an acronym most of today’s workers are all too familiar with. Key performance indicators are guides designed to illuminate your path and keep your end goal in perspective. Smart KPIs don’t require huge leaps to achieve, but instead focus on small, achievable steps that keep you motivated and your goal in sight. In addition to KPIs set by your manager, you should also set KPIs for your own growth.
To get started, here are some steps to set and achieve your personal KPIs at work.
Set your objectives
As with any task, you need to identify your ultimate goal. Simply setting personal KPIs will not be useful unless they are strongly connected to your objectives. Understanding the importance will give you a stronger sense of purpose, and this sense of purpose will keep you motivated during the difficult times. Career goals could include working on specific projects that will increase your personal profile and reputation within the industry, publishing research or thought leadership articles, expanding your network or becoming a sought-after speaker or trainer. As with all KPIs, it’s important to take that initial time to really understand what you want to measure, and why.
Identify metrics and priorities
Setting targets will provide a reference point against which you can measure your personal performance. Both short-term and long-term targets can be set in order to motivate you to take action. For example, make it a point to attend at least one conference a quarter, setting aside time every week to focus on writing, and committing to connect with at least two professional contacts per week.
Identify support resources
Finding people who can help you meet your targets is a vital element to your goal-meeting process. On your journey to success, there are people who will aid you in your endeavours, from mentors to associates and friends. It’s good to build and nurture relationships with individuals who have a strong, positive influence over networks in your target market but also make sure all your relationships are win-win, approaching them with the mindset that everyone is receiving value.
Track your performance
When we know what the small interim goals are, and we start to achieve them, this will increase both belief in the approach and also confidence that success is achievable. Break it down to small goals, track your performance and celebrate each small success.
