Inspiring Communication Goals

As important as communication is in life, most people still overlook how critical it is to set smart goals that focus on developing one’s communication skills. We all know a person who is an exceptional communicator, but we fail to see that this isn’t a gift they were born with. Good communication requires time and effort to attain, and it’s up to you to work your way into becoming that type of individual.

• Personal Development Goals
• Strategic Goals

Communication goals can consist of a variety of long-term goals and short-term goals. Although it may seem a bit simple compared to the average life goals, it can still leave a significant impact on your life. The goals we set have the ability to change the way we think, eliminate any negative energy, and improve ourselves for the better. This is why it’s important for every individual to give themselves directly through the goals they possess.

Setting Communication Goals

When planning your communication goals, you need to consider three significant factors: reputation, relationship, and task. The whole point of setting a goal is to improve your identity, along with the perception others have of you. This would depend on the relationship you build with the people around you, as well as how you take action. Keep in mind that it’s important to set goals that are a reflection of who you are and who you want to be. This will help you determine the steps needed to get there, giving you the motivation to strive harder each day.

Communication Goals for a Better You

Most people fail to realize how important communication goals are. If you want to be effective with the things you do and maintain healthy relationships with the people you love, you must find a way to improve your communication skills. Not just as a speaker, but as a good listener as well. To help you out, here are some communication goals to consider:

1. Address an issue

Maybe there’s been bad blood floating around between you and a particular individual, yet both of you have been tiptoeing your way around it. As awkward and uncomfortable as it is to bring up, maturity comes with courage and effort. You can’t spend your whole life avoiding every single issue that comes by, so you must learn how to deal with it through proper communication. If someone has been troubling you in some way, address it immediately. But instead of pointing out what they did wrong, try to let them understand how you really feel about the situation at hand. The best solution to any problem is learning how to speak up before it goes out of proportion. Your goal should concentrate on handling the situation in a positive manner, without worrying much about the possible outcome.

2. Be honest, but not hurtful

Being honest is an important trait to uphold. But sometimes, being a bit too honest can negatively affect the situation you are in. For example, when two students sign up for a basketball team but only one of them makes the cut, then this individual who missed out on selection would want to know why he wasn’t selected. Naturally, it would be wrong to tell a person that they didn’t make it because someone else was better, even if it speaks the truth. Keep in mind that honesty is not meant to be hurtful. Instead, it would be best to provide critical feedback samples that would allow a person to grow for the better. Focus on the situation and not on the traits that a person lacks. After all, you don’t want to make anyone feel like they aren’t good enough for something. Be honest in a positive way, then you can easily turn a negative event into a lesson learned.

3. Inspire those around you.

Everyone experiences life differently and at their own pace. With this in mind, it wouldn’t hurt to give others the motivation they need to go through each day. A positive energy is often contagious, so make the most of it by inspiring others through your passion and commitment. Preparing a good inspirational speech would be good, but there are a lot of other informal opportunities to take advantage of as well. You could it bring up over a casual conversation, send random notes to those who need it, and simply greet the people around you with much enthusiasm. You can’t change how the universe works, but you can be the ray of sunshine during someone’s darkest days.

4. Keep in touch with others.

When was the last time you talked to your best friend? How long has it been since you had dinner with your whole family? You may be a busy person with a hectic schedule to swear by, but this should never get in the way of your personal life. Keep in mind that you could lose everything you ever worked for in a matter of seconds. But family? Friends? They’re a forever thing you shouldn’t let go of.

Make it a point to send a greeting card to your loved ones during the holiday season, schedule regular phone calls with your best friend, and have lunch out with your significant other every now and then. Identify the people who are worth your time and work on keeping that connection alive. People may be temporary, but they can keep you sane amidst the piles of paperwork and crucial business deals. Do not let go of relationships that matter to you, otherwise you could wake up one day regretting every decision you have ever made.

5. Speak up.

The words left unsaid are often the ones we most regret. So don’t wait until the right time, because that time may never come. If you fear that your suggestion or opinion would not fit well with your audience, then learn to take the leap instead. The purpose of communicating is to express what’s on our minds, so we don’t end up drowning in our own thoughts. Imagine if some of the most influential individuals in history decided it was best to keep their mouths shut, would our world be the same as it is now? Speak up in class. Share your ideas during meetings. Don’t be afraid to let others know what goes on inside that head of yours. You may also see the performance goals.

6. Show your appreciation and gratitude.

Never wait for a major event to congratulate someone. Sure, it’s natural to reserve our congratulations for weddings, baby showers, birthdays, and graduation ceremonies, but it doesn’t need to be that way. You can always celebrate the mini-milestones of a person’s life by congratulating them each time. Saying congratulations doesn’t have to be tied to some life-changing event, as even the smallest accomplishments deserve recognition as well. You could congratulate a team at work for reaching the quota for the month, or maybe you have a friend who just passed an exam he’s been studying all night for. People love when their efforts are openly acknowledged. A simple congratulatory statement will definitely make people feel better about themselves.

7. Learn to listen.

Communication is a two-way street; it’s given and taken. There’s nothing more insulting than someone spacing out during a conversation, especially when you’re talking about something that really interests you. A good speaker is also a good listener, so learn to stay attentive when conversing with others. If you feel as if you’re mind is floating around elsewhere, then let the person know about it. Resist the impulse to interrupt someone when you disagree with something they said and wait for your turn to speak. By giving a person your undivided attention, you’re showing respect. It proves that you do care about what a person has to say and that you are just as invested in the conversation as they are. You may also see the learning goals.

Business Communication Goals

A business that struggles to communicate with its employees or prospects is likely to fail in the market. Business communication is an important aspect of every corporate entity, as this can greatly impact its operations. That being said, the business must be able to set the right communication goals for it to function effectively.

Create Dialogue

Developing proper communication within the workplace can be quite challenging, especially when the language barrier becomes an issue. Every member of the company must be given the chance to have his or her own voice, whether it’s pitching in on meetings or standing up for personal rights. It’s important for the management plan and its employees to develop a strong sense of communication, where misunderstanding must be resolved as soon as possible to maintain a healthy work environment. Otherwise, this could lead to a decrease in productivity and a possible loss of sales.

Build Teamwork

Without communication, it would be impossible for a team to function effectively. Not only would there be confusion, but conflicts may arise that could slow down the production process. Good communication ensures that all tasks shall be accomplished before the given deadline and that any issues would be dealt with accordingly. This is why most teams center their team goals on the practice of good communication. A team that knows how to communicate with one another has a greater chance of success than those that fail to see the value of communication. As a team leader, you can have your own set of leadership goals to help strengthen your team’s performance as well. If you do wish to thrive, make sure your team develops the right sense of open communication among each other.

Establish Credibility

Effective communication revolves around the idea of trust. And this goes beyond the words that escape your mouth, as this can also involve the way you deliver a message to your recipient. If you fail to maintain eye contact, then the receiver could think you’re hiding something. Communication within the workplace must be as transparent as possible, considering how employees may be affected by whatever changes occur. In any case, direct communication plays a significant role in establishing credibility, along with a clear message and a precise language. Proper business communication should be informative and reassuring enough for every member to understand as well.

Ask Yourself…

• Is it SMART? Is your goal specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely? Think about this for a second. A SMART goal is the ideal type of goal to set. Not only can this give you a clear picture of your destination, but it can also show you the path to getting where you want to be in life. Having smart communication goals should be a part of the criteria in determining what you wish to achieve in the long run.
• Why do I need to set this goal? Will this matter a year from now? Is it worth the time and effort to fulfill? Before you decide on accomplishing a goal, you need to understand why it’s important to you. Remember, your goals can shape you into the person you want to become, so be sure it’s worth the sacrifice.
• What are the possible outcomes of this goal? The thing about reaching your goals is that the future will always remain uncertain. It’s a risk you’re willing to take despite not knowing what the outcome may be. Whether it ends positively or negatively, you must be prepared for what’s to come. This can help you decide whether or not the given goal deserves a spot on your list.
• How will I benefit from it? This is the tricky part about goal-setting. You may think you want something, but you find it difficult to identify how it can be of benefit for you. Do not cloud yourself with thoughts on what you think you need at a moment in time, as your thoughts are bound to change just as abruptly. Instead, choose the goals that can impact your life for the better.

Communication is powerful. It has the ability to change a situation, affect our thinking, and inspire others to achieve the things they once thought were impossible. Sharpen your communication skills by setting the right goals for yourself and soon you’ll find out how these could leave a positive impact on your life.