Goal setting for promotion: Lessons learned and shared

September 10, 2020

As a coach, I’m always looking to help my soccer players meet personal and professional goals, but most importantly, how they can maintain their effort when they fall short of their goals and face obstacles. I’m no stranger to goal setting from my time in the U.S. Air Force. I spent 20 years in the Air Force, and it taught me a lot about responsibility, teamwork, and determination. I can look back and say that I loved almost every moment I had serving this great nation. Well, besides basic training, but hey, it was just 6 weeks, right? I was a smart kid, but unfocused. My first few years was just about going through the motions and doing my job. My first duty assignment was in Germany at the Wiesbaden Regional Medical Center. Germany was great, and I had a fun 3 years there. Life was good, and I was promoted normally to Senior Airman. I thought about more responsibility, and the idea was compelling. My bosses talked to me about studying for promotion and making Staff Sergeant. Pretty easy, I thought. I was a smart kid, selected for a special-duty assignment, and doing well in a high-profile position—and everyone liked me. Promotion was in the bag. Well, I didn’t just miss the cutoff—I was a North Korean missile that barely made it off the launch pad before descending into a ball of flames. As Bob Uecker said in Major League: “Just a bit outside.” I was embarrassed.

I made a conscious decision that I’d work hard and get promoted the next time I tested. I set a goal of obtaining rank and made a plan for getting there. I set aside time every week for studying and made flashcards so I could quiz myself at work. My goal was to get promoted to Staff Sergeant. I wanted the responsibility that came with it. I had a family and needed to make sure that I was taking care of them. My performance goal was breaking down and knowing each section of the Promotion Fitness Examination (PFE) and my career guides. My process goal was the time I set aside for studying and quizzing myself. My “why” was everything I stated above: family, responsibility, and the desire for people to know I was competent in my work. This was the motivation that drove me to succeed. My commitment to studying and working hard kept me going. It wasn’t easy, not by a long shot. Competition for promotion was tough, and you had a lot of good people vying for those slots.

Having difficult goals—that are specific and in line with our values or self-identities—can improve performance. When we have that motivation, it can energize and sustain us as we work towards our goals. Difficult and specific goals can enhance performance, clarify expectations, and counteract boredom and apathy. My hard work paid off, and I beat the cutoff score by a landslide. I was successful because I was focused and determined. I knew exactly what I wanted, and my goal was in line with my values. I was surprised how easy it was in the end. I know the reason why was that it mattered to me and I was prepared to put in the effort. I reminded myself every day that this is what I wanted.

One important aspect of goal setting that I’ll deliver to my players is that they need to write down their goals and see them daily. They can do this by posting them in their bedroom, making it one of the first things that they see when they wake up. This is an effective way to build new habits too. Truth be told, it was easier for me to see my goals. Everyone wore a uniform and their rank was always visible. I had a daily reminder of what I wanted to be and where I wanted to go. Goal setting stayed with me as I transitioned to the civilian world too. I’m completing my third master’s degree, and goal setting has been a big part of my progress because it’s allowed me to remain focused and determined. It’s what I tell my players: Know what you want, be passionate about it, and focus on what you can control.

About the author:

John Hill spent 20 years in the USAF as a Medical Laboratory Technologist, retiring as a Master Sergeant. He currently work as the Client Service Center QA Manager for the Department of Technology, Management, and Budget (DTMB) at the State of Michigan. He is a certified mental performance coach and avid soccer coach.

* The opinions and assertions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of USUHS or DoD. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or policies of The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc. Mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. The author has no financial interests or relationships to disclose.

  • Share:

You Might Also Like

0 comments