Rule 28. Set Objectives

An objective is a simple one-sentence mission statement that you can use to get you through your day. It is almost impossible to be successful or to get promoted if you don’t set objectives.

An objective outlines the key important ingredients in your work recipe. Suppose you have a meeting to go to. Now we all hate meetings—they are interminable, boring, unproductive, counter-productive—and an endless source of irritation and argument. You know that Stephen from accounts is going to be there and will endeavor—usually successfully—to wind you up. You know you’ll get sidetracked and end up discussing the relocation to Swindon when it doesn’t even affect your department. You know you’ll end up discussing budgets for the exhibition stand when that’s six months away and it hasn’t even been decided that you’re going to take a stand at the NEC this year. So, set an objective: