Mindset Monday - Secure The BHAG
“A goal without a plan is just a wish” – Antoine De Saint-Exupery
All of us want to have goals, and we want to hit those goals. At least we say we do.
However, most of us tend to stumble in the same few places.
Either we run from deliberately setting those goals, and going beyond just saying “this is my goal” but really goal setting. Choosing something specific and with an action plan (See SMART Goals Sheet HERE). We often throw out goals with no strategic planning behind it. We might do the math on how many loans we need to close to hit it, but we don’t break it down to the granular, into the steps needed to arrive at that destination. It’s Like trying to navigate a cross country trip without a road map. Maybe one day you get there, but more likely you just get lost.
Or we hide from the process. We feel that digging deep into goal setting, and going big will make the sting of falling short hurt more. We don’t set big goals because we feel like the result could be big disappointment. Maybe we have fallen short before and didn’t like it.
The result is we tread water, we sit in the same loop year after year.
Both are mentality issues, and the good news is we control what goes on upstairs
Enter the BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal)
You need to set a big goal…like bigger than the thought that just ran through your head when I said you need a big goal.
It should be something that scares you a little when you think about what will be required to chase it.
It should be outside of what you feel is possible today, but not so far outside that it is not rooted in reality. (I am 5-8, and at 38 I probably won’t be a starting point guard for the Lakers. Probably not the right BHAG for me)
*side note, this doesn’t have to be only business, in fact it shouldn’t. Set big personal goals. A rising tide lifts all ships, start crushing it on a personal level, business follows.
I have included a few items that I use every quarter to set goals and evaluate my progress. I set one big goal per year in each of the categories in the pie chart. Then every quarter I reassess and evaluate. Check-in on your goal quarterly and course correct if needed. Put it on your calendar and make it a habit. If you are tracking behind your goal, no worries. It’s a target, if you don’t always hit the destination its not a failure.
Shoot for the stars and land on the moon.
Goals are designed to help you stretch the boundaries of what is possible. To get to the next level.
This will require a mind shift for some of us, since that is the theme of 2024, lets embrace it.
The year is a little more than half over, there is lots of time left on the clock. Its not too late to set that BHAG and chase it.
Set big goals, create a plan, execute.
Written by Chris Catania
Chris Catania entered the mortgage industry in 2005. As a seasoned Branch Manager and coach at Fairway, Chris has consistently been at the forefront of providing, creative problem solving, exceptional service and tailored financial solutions. His commitment to excellence and deep understanding of the mortgage landscape have made him a trusted advisor and a leading figure in the field.
Beyond his professional achievements, Chris is a Army veteran, devoted husband and father. He is an avid outdoorsman and hunter. Chris also brings his leadership experience and skills to the community as a coach, where he mentors individuals, teaching them the values of teamwork, discipline, accountability and perseverance. Chris Catania's blend of professional acumen, family dedication, and community involvement truly sets him apart as a respected professional and valued community member.
