As we enter the new year, I’ve taken a moment to pull out some of my notes from the BBG Summit. Sarah Pankhurst led a powerful session on the importance of “game changers”—small, impactful weekly goals designed to drive business progress. Sarah’s session was a game changer in itself, even for her, as she shared how speaking publicly about goal-setting and communication pushed her out of her comfort zone, sparking growth for herself and the attendees. Her session truly highlighted how embracing challenges can lead to powerful breakthroughs.

Setting SMART Goals for Weekly Game Changes

A central idea from Sarah’s talk was using SMART goals to structure these game changers. Each week, setting a specific, achievable goal allows for a clear path forward. Here’s a breakdown of the SMART framework she shared:

  • Specific: Each game changer should focus on a single area or task, such as improving client communication or streamlining a process.
  • Measurable: Goals should be tracked with clear metrics to understand progress and results.
  • Achievable: Goals need to be challenging yet realistic to foster consistent improvement.
  • Relevant: Weekly goals should connect to broader business objectives.
  • Time-bound: Setting a timeframe keeps focus sharp and encourages timely completion.

Sarah underscored that each week, we should ask ourselves: What is one thing I want to accomplish that will have a big impact? This small but meaningful question helps create focus for the week, aligning effort toward significant goals.

Building a Culture of Continuous Improvement

Around the table, summit participants shared how these weekly goals have become part of their routines. Many attendees from the BBG community noted that creating regular game changers keeps their businesses agile and adaptable—a critical advantage in industries like trades and construction, where changes in demand and technology require quick responses.

As we at Uplift 360 start the new year, we’re excited to incorporate Sarah’s insights into our own practices. Setting impactful weekly goals helps us drive steady improvements for our clients, ensuring we stay responsive and relevant in a fast-moving industry. We’re grateful for Sarah’s inspiring session and look forward to more growth, one game-changing week at a time.