If you've spent any time searching the web this month, you've no doubt found numerous websites telling you how to set new goals for the year.  Don't get me wrong.  Setting goals is important.  However, just setting new goals won't get you the success you seek.  Why?  Perspective.

Here's an example that will explain it.  I was once asked to write articles about a particular type of government contract; more specifically, how companies should manage them. I've managed programs and contracts for years but I didn't have direct experience with this type of contract.  I didn't know a lot about it.  I couldn't tell you what the risks were, how you made money on it and so on.  I was almost completely ignorant on the subject.  So, I searched the web to learn what I could in hopes that it would be sufficient to educate me.  However, it wasn't until I ran into an expert on this type of contract that I became more enlightened.  Then, this individual referred me to more experts.  While they all had an expertise in different areas of these contracts, it gave me enough pieces of the puzzle to complete a good understanding.  That was all I needed. 

So, what does it mean? It means that it's almost impossible to find individuals with enough experience to clearly define the steps you need to take to accomplish your tasks.  Your career is no different.  I'm not saying that the advice others are giving doesn't have its uses.  The problem often becomes that we use all of the advice within the same perspective; that is, our own.

As in the example above, you can really grasp the whole picture of your situation by yourself.  If you can't backup enough to clearly see the big picture, setting new goals won't get you the desired results.  Look at the questions below for better insight into a most useful method that you can test yourself! 

If you're considering reestablishing your goals for this year, I've got a few questions for you to think about before you begin.

1.  Did you achieve your goals last year?

2.  Are you searching for new ways to achieve these same goals?

3.  Do these goals live in the land of impossibility?

If you answered YES, then you should consider a team-based approach to your career.  Before I try to sell you on the idea, you should try this little test first.  Let me know how well it works for you.

A Simple Test:  Decide on a characteristic or skill you would like a manager to know you have.  Then, have two or three of your friends communicate to this manager that you have this characteristic/skill.  Have them convey this at different times so as to not draw attention to your test (such as every other day).  After this is done, seek an opportunity to verify that he has received the messages.

To help, here's a test tried before.  An engineer, we'll call him Tom, wanted to be seen as a Microsoft Excel guru.  He enlisted 3 friends from outside his department to go to his manager to ask if someone on his team could help with an Excel spreadsheet.  They mentioned to the manager that Tom was really good at it and asked if he could be allowed to help.  Each person asked the manager one day apart.  One week later, Tom asked his manager for help on a spreadsheet he was putting together for him.  Tom's manager replied "Why are you asking me, you're the expert!"  

Simple example but it identifies a great power.  Imagine using this across and up your organization. 

Post your results and we'll setup another simple test.

Never Climb Alone,

Todd