Written by Jesse Katen
Even if you’re not the type to set New Year’s resolutions, this is the season when you find yourself surrounded with optimistic pledges and predictions for the new year: “This is the year I . . .” or “The word of 2026 is . . .” or “This is my year, I can just feel it!”
What a perfect time to discuss goals! In my work as a leadership coach and consultant, I actually find that my clients are excellent at setting and achieving goals. Most of them are already familiar with the SMART goal strategy:
The SMART Goal framework is helpful for holding yourself (or your team) accountable as you pursue an outcome that can be measured with objective data and achieved in a set amount of time.
However, there is WAY more to life and work than measurable outcomes!
Many of my clients actually experience a sense of anticlimactic let-down even after achieving a SMART goal. What if you achieve your goal and then find out that that wasn’t what you really wanted after all? Or it didn’t solve the problem you thought it would? What if you were so focused on one specific and measurable goal that you lost sight of what really keeps you (or your team) motivated and inspired? Or, what if you never reach your goal? Then what?
Objectives versus Subjectives
I love to share the idea of “Subjective Outcomes” which can augment and enhance our achievement of Objective Outcomes. Objectives are quantitatively measurable—there’s a number we can use to know for sure that we’ve achieved what we wanted. Objectives are what we hope to reach on a certain day and have the numbers to demonstrate it.
But Subjectives, as I like to call them, are what we hope to experience—both during the process and as a result of the final outcome. Even better, I think that your subjectives should come with NO final outcome! They can be open-ended and limitless.
Step One
The first step in setting a subjective is to envision what you would love to see happening.
Here are some examples of how to structure a Subjective in the new year:
“In 2026, I would love to experience more . . .”
“In 2026, I would love to spend more time doing . . .”
“In 2026, I would love to feel more . . .”
“In 2026, I would love to move in the direction of . . .”
It’s also helpful to frame these in terms of the opposite:
“I would love to experience less . . .”
“I would love to spend less time . . .”
“I would love to feel less . . .”
“I would love to move away from . . .”
Step Two
Second, decide what you would love to start doing on a regular basis to have more of the experiences you just envisioned.
For example:
“In order to experience more . . ., I would love to start . . .”
“In order to spend more time doing . . ., I would love to set aside time every . . .”
“In order to feel more . . ., I would love to notice every time when . . .”
“In order to move in the direction of . . ., I would love to explore opportunities to . . .”
Step Three
Then, decide what Subjective Signs you are going to look for in order to inspire yourself along the way!
For example:
“Some Subjective Signs I’d love to see happening are:”
“Feeling good as I come in to work”
“Laughing more with my colleagues”
“Seeing the gratitude on clients’ faces and taking the time to feel good about it”
“Being less exhausted at the end of the week”
“Being excited about an upcoming conference I registered for”
“Starting projects with a sense of excitement and challenge rather than seeing them as chores”
“Looking forward to meetings as a source of camaraderie and inspiration rather than dread”
Step Four
Finally, here’s the part that I think is the most inspiring (and fun!): Celebrate and Update!
When you notice that you’re experiencing more of those subjective signs in your experience, take a moment to acknowledge, appreciate, and celebrate those changes. Celebrating what you’re seeing not only feels great but will keep you inspired! Updating what you want not only expands what’s possible for you, but infuses fresh excitement into the process.
While “objectives” and measurable outcomes have their place in demonstrating our progress and keeping projects on target, remembering our “subjectives” can make our work and life experiences more enjoyable, meaningful, and inspiring to others.
Jesse Katen is a leadership coach and consultant based in Binghamton, New York. He works with leaders in a variety of fields such as education, healthcare, human services, engineering, technology, manufacturing, and business. Jesse frequently offers workshops for Care Compass and has twice led the Open Network’s Leadership Academy. He welcomes your feedback at jesse@jessekaten.com.