Let’s cut to the chase: setting goals and making resolutions aren’t just motivational poster clichés. It’s science. Real, brain-rewiring, success-driving science. If you’re in insurance or risk management, where competition is fierce and stakes are sky-high, you can’t afford to be vague about what you want.
Here’s the deal: your brain loves goals. Give it something clear, and it lights up like a client hearing “risk profile improvement.” But give it something fuzzy like “grow my business,” and it might as well take the rest of the day off.
So, if you’re tired of winging it, here’s how to set goals that actually work—and why they’ll change everything.
Step 1: Get SMART (With a Twist)
You’ve heard the spiel before: make your goals Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. But let’s talk specifics for insurance pros:
- Specific: “Grow my book of business” is cute. “Add six new commercial accounts worth $50,000 each by June 30” gets results.
- Measurable: Numbers don’t lie. Track calls, meetings, and wins – aka closed deals. Watching progress feels good—like finding out that claim isn’t your problem.
- Achievable: Set the bar high but keep it within reach. Doubling revenue in a month? That’s fantasy. Adding one new account every two weeks? That’s a doable stretch.
- Relevant: Stay aligned with your big picture. If your goal’s in the personal lines space but your dream is middle-market dominance, that’s a problem.
- Time-bound: Deadlines work. Without them, you’re just making wish lists.
Step 2: Chunk It Down
Big goals are great—until you’re staring at them like a deer in headlights. The solution? Break them into smaller, less terrifying pieces.
Example:
- Big Goal: Add 10 new accounts by June 30.
- Smaller Chunks:
- January: Identify 25 target prospects. Send them to your PREP board.
- February: Schedule 10 meetings.
- March: Deliver five tailored proposals.
- April–June: Close three accounts monthly.
Each piece builds momentum, like turning an overwhelming risk profile into manageable solutions.
Step 3: Get a Goal Buddy
Here’s a wild little nugget for you: you’re 65% more likely to hit a goal if you tell someone about it. And if you schedule a regular check-in—say, a standing accountability appointment—that number shoots up to a whopping 95%. Basically, if you rope a colleague or mentor into this, you’re not just likely to succeed; you’re borderline unstoppable.
So, here’s the move: march over to your office accountability partner (or Zoom them if you’re working from home) and declare, “This is my goal—grill me about it every Friday.” Suddenly, you’ll find yourself hustling just to avoid the awkward shame of admitting you spent the week rearranging your inbox instead of actually, you know, crushing your goals.
Step 4: Celebrate (Yes, Even the Small Stuff)
Hit a milestone? Take a moment to celebrate. Maybe that means lunch somewhere with actual table service instead of scarfing a granola bar over your laptop. Celebrations trigger your brain’s reward center, turning success into a habit.
Why This Works
Insurance and risk management aren’t exactly industries where “winging it” works. Success takes structure. It takes goals. But not just any goals—goals with clarity, accountability, and a plan.
So, set a goal today. Make it SMART. Break it down. Get someone to hold your feet to the fire. And when you nail it? Treat yourself.
Because here’s the thing: success isn’t magic. It’s science. And now, you’ve got the blueprint. Go make it happen.