by Dr. Memuna Williams, DBA
For the past two years, I have set myself an ambitious set of professional, developmental, spiritual, and wellness goals. One of my biggest, was reading 60 books in a year. While I have not yet reached that target number, I set personal records: 24 books in 2023 and over 30 in 2024. These reading aims introduced me to Brené Brown’s work on vulnerability and Satya Nadella’s insights on culture and leadership in organizations.
One lesson that really stood out for me came from reading Who Not How by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy. Their approach indicates that having the right “who” in your corner—teammates, mentors, and collaborators—can be more critical than determining “how” to do something, and has changed how I look at goals and the clarity needed to achieve them. Scholars like Gail Matthews and Stephen R. Covey also remind us of the importance of defining our goals in writing and staying true to our core values and vision.
In our world of endless distractions, clarity is more important than ever. It is a concept validated in psychology, organizational behavior, and management research: being specific and balancing difficulty with attainability drives motivation and discipline. With clear targets, we can stay focused on our long-term vision rather than getting lost in day-to-day demands.
For me, writing down each goal—including what it is, how I will pursue it, when I aim to complete it, why it matters, and who is involved—has been essential. Tracking my progress reveals opportunities for growth and helps me adjust as I go. Sharing my progress with informal or formal coaches brings accountability and fresh perspectives.
If you’re interested in diving deeper, I highly recommend Who Not How, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, and the Harvard Business Review article “Using the Balanced Scorecard as a Strategic Management System.” I would also love to hear about your own strategies for staying clear on your goals. Please do not hesitate to share.
Dr. Memuna Williams has a BA and MA in Translation, an MBA, and DBA. Her doctoral thesis illuminates how SMEs develop social responsibility programs across four phases and 13 categories. Dr. Williams and her husband Victor have three sons. Connect with her at: www.linkedin.com/in/dr-memuna-williams-dba-8193b01