Setting Goals – It’s Important!

January 2025​​

Jon Martens, AICP, CAPP

Walker Consultants

First, Happy 2025! It’s that time of year when we get a fresh start and set new goals and plans. Over the years, I can’t tell you how often I’ve been asked about my goals for the new year. I am not a fan of New Year’s resolutions, but I like to set goals. It can help you accomplish things that,without planning and forethought, you may only dream of achieving. Considering that, I thought reviewing some goal-planning strategies that have learned over the years that have helped me would be good to share.

1. Write it down and be specific. You need a clear vision and having it in writing can make it stick.

2. Make it measurable. Identify who, what, when, and where to define a successful outcome.

3. Make it attainable. While lofty goals are okay, they should be realistic and doable with hard work and focused effort.

4. The goal should be relevant. The goal should be meaningful and fit within your purpose. If the goals being set are for work, you probably don’t want to include completing your Dungeons and Dragons quest. Save that one for your personal goals.

5. Be accountable. Once you have identified the goal, get others involved and check in with them on your progress. Don’t go it alone.

Here is an example: 

Let’s say you want to play golf at the next MSTPA conference, but you have never played golf at a business outing.

First step - write it down:  Play golf at the 2025 MSPTA Conference. 

Make it measurable: Register for golf by February 1. Hit the driving range at least once every two weeks starting March 1st. Play a 9-hole course with a co-worker who golfs by April 15th.

Is this attainable? Yes, there is time to get the basics down before the conference. 

How this is relevant: I am expanding my time with parking professionals in a fun activity by participating in the golf outing. It will help me make friends and build relationships.

Be Accountable: Share your action plan with a trusted mentor and set regular times to check in about this and other goals. They should ask, and you should tell them when you registered and how the practices are going. Once the event is over, let them know how it went.

Enjoy setting your goals for the new year. It’s worth the effort!