“First Mid-January Goals” 2026

“Setting goals is the first step in making the invisible into the visible.” – Tony Robbins

Table of Contents

• Here’s a clean, practical framework that works acr …

  • Goal 1: Master the Role Basics (Competence Goal)

    • What you should do to achieve it

  • Goal 2: Build the Right Relationships (Social Capi …

    • What they should do to achieve it

  • Goal 3: Create a Personal Growth Advantage (Career …

    • What you should do to achieve it

  • Optional (Highly Recommended) Goal 4: Protect Ener …

    • Actions

    • Simple Mid-January Goal Template (You can copy thi …

Here’s a clean, practical framework that works across most roles. These three goals come before jumping into projects or saying yes to everything.

Goal 1: Master the Role Basics (Competence Goal)

Purpose: Don’t aim to impress yet—aim to be reliable. Example: By the end of Q1, I can independently handle the core responsibilities of my role with minimal supervision.

What you should do to achieve it

• Identify the top 5 recurring tasks in their role

• Ask:

  • What does ‘good’ look like for each task?

  • Who reviews this work?

• Create a personal playbook:

  • SOPs, templates, checklists, shortcuts

• Shadow at least one strong performer and take notes

• Ask for feedback early (week 2–3), not when things go wrong

Measure of success: Fewer corrections, faster turnaround, growing trust

Goal 2: Build the Right Relationships (Social Capital Goal)

Purpose: Performance matters, but relationships determine visibility and support. - Example: Within 60 days, I have strong working relationships with the people I rely on and who reply on me.

What they should do to achieve it

• Map their work ecosystem:

  • Manager

  • Direct collaborators

  • Go-to experts

• Schedule short 1:1s (15–20 min) and ask:

  • What does success look like here?

  • What should I avoid?

  • How do you prefer to work?

• Observe communication styles (email vs Slack, formal vs casual)

• Follow through fast on small commitments—this builds trust quickly

Measure of success: People respond faster, loop them in proactively, offer help

Goal 3: Create a Personal Growth Advantage (Career Momentum Goal)

Purpose: Avoid becoming “busy but stagnant.” Example: By year end, I have developed at least one skill that clearly differentiates me. Choose one key point to focus on:

Choose ONE:

• A technical skill (tool, system, analysis method)

• A business skill (presentation, writing, stakeholder management)

• A domain skill (industry knowledge others don’t have yet)

What you should do to achieve it

• Identify a skill their team:

  • Needs more of

  • Avoids

  • Or values highly

• Set a weekly learning block (30–60 minutes)

• Apply the skill immediately on real work

• Ask their manager:

  • “What skill would make me most valuable by the end of the year?”

Measure of success: They’re asked to help others or own part of the work

Optional (Highly Recommended) Goal 4: Protect Energy & Reputation

New grads burn out fast trying to prove themselves.

Actions

• Set boundaries early (response times, workload clarity)

• Track wins weekly (small ones count)

• Learn when to ask questions vs. figure things out solo

Simple Mid-January Goal Template (You can copy this)

1. Role Mastery: Become independently competent in core tasks by ___

2. Relationships: Build strong working ties with ___ by ___

3. Growth Skill: Develop ___ skill and apply it to ___ by ___