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5 tips for working successfully with subcontractors

5 tips for working successfully with subcontractors

Organisations are increasingly including subcontractors in their internal training, so everyone is aligned under a single Health & Safety framework. Not only is this beneficial for alignment of safety behaviours, but from a WHS compliance perspective, you have a duty of care to everyone who walks on site – and this includes your subcontractors.

Here are 5 things you should do to meet your WHS obligations and make partnering with your subcontractors run smoothly.

 

1. Know your obligations

Do you know your legal obligations when it comes to your subcontractors?

If you don’t know how can you plan to be compliant?

PCBUs (Persons Conducting Business or Undertaking) must ensure the health and safety of all workers at work in the business or undertaking including those :

  • who are engaged or are caused to be engaged by the PCBU – this includes subcontractors.
  • whose activities in carrying out work are influenced or directed by the PCBU.

You can check out our video below “WHAT AM I ACCOUNTABLE FOR?” which covers information about your general obligations.

2. Align subbies with your safety culture

Get your subcontractors involved in your internal safety training. Doing a safety course or have a special safety briefing? Get them involved. Subcontractors can’t meet your standards if they don’t know what your standards are. Training should focus on how to build partnerships with your subcontractors, rather than micro-managing them.

 

3. Appropriate supervision

Have regular project meetings to address whether your subcontractors’ performance is meeting the project’s safety and quality requirements. Keep a record of the communications and documentation you share with subcontractors so everyone is clear on who needs to do what, when and how.

 

4. Two-way communication

There should be two way communications between you and your subcontractor. Always be approachable and communicate clearly and succinctly so there’s no room for miscommunication or errors.  When the lines of communication are easy and each side knows the expectations, issues can get resolved more quickly and more gets accomplished.

 

5. Give them feedback

When you need to give your subcontractor feedback, do it in a way that encourages continuous improvement rather than blame, and remediation over retaliation. It’s also important to give positive feedback and acknowledge a job well done.

Want to learn to manage subcontractors?

Our 1-day live and interactive online program via computer or device.

Our program covers the WHS obligations regarding subcontractors and is designed to step through the various stages of effective subcontractor management, including assessing, evaluating safety history, attitudes, performance and reporting.

You will also gain the nationally recognised unit SLCSCM406 Implement and monitor subcontractor work health and safety requirements, which is part of the 10604NAT Certificate IV in Safety Leadership (WHS) – Construction program.

Subcontractor Management is one of our most popular and requested programs, now available to the public via our live and interactive online format, available from anywhere you can access an internet connection.

Program Format & Cost


This program is a facilitator-led, real-time, interactive training environment via an internet-connected computer or device.
This is not a pre-recorded online program, it is the same experience as our face-to-face programs.


Date:  Contact us for upcoming dates here >>

Cost:  $495

Group Discount: 6 or more $395 per person..

GST is not applicable to accredited training.
The program fee includes all materials and assessments.

Read more and enrol

More from our blog

WHS Learner Profile – Kevin Walker

WHS Learner Profile – Kevin Walker

Kevin Walker recently undertook the  BSB41415 Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety, a nationally recognised qualification which trained him to identify hazards in the workplace, assist with responding to incidents, assess and control risk, and consult on work health and safety issues.

As a worker in the QLD building and construction industry, he was eligible for a Construction Skills Queensland subsided place to undertake the program. We asked Kevin about his experience of doing the program, what he learnt and how his workplace will benefit from his new WHS skills.

Find out about the live interactive program

Kevin, tell us a bit about yourself and the kind of work you do?

I work as a blocklayer/bricklayer but also have experience working in mining. I finished school at Year 10 and went from school straight into a construction apprenticeship. Training in those days included TAFE. They tried to teach us the safe way to do things, but when I got onto a worksite we were just expected to get the job done – regardless of whether the job site or work methods were safe or not. I remember in the late 1980s laying bricks while standing on top of a 44-gallon drum!

When I worked in the mines, they were very safety focused – it’s a very high-risk environment so there is a lot more training and attention on risk management and hazard reduction. This safety focus really rubbed off on me and I took that thinking into my next construction job. Even though the attitude of the construction industry hadn’t changed, mine definitely had.

 

Why did you choose to do the course?

I was very interested in furthering my education in safety and getting a formal qualification. I saw the Workplace Dimensions advert on Facebook for Construction Skills Queensland subsidised training and it was exactly what I was looking for.

I’d seen WHS programs advertised before, they were expensive; plus I’d also have to take a whole week off work unpaid, which would make it even more difficult. The program subsidy from Construction Skills Queensland made the difference – it’s made doing my Cert IV in WHS possible and now everyone on-site benefits from the knowledge and skills I have.

Find out more about CSQ subsidised training >>

 

What did you get out of the course?

I saw safety in a different light and I enjoyed it immensely. Previously I couldn’t really explain safety to people as effectively as I wanted to. I knew the WHS Act was a legal requirement everyone is bound by, but now I have the language and tools to break down the concepts and explain it to others on site.

I’ve now got the skills to have powerful conversations that engage people to think for themselves about what they’re doing, how they do it and to come up with solutions that make the work and environment safer. Knowing what’s safe and legally compliant is one thing, but being able to get your whole crew on board with you is a different skill. I know the course has really helped me with that and to become a safety leader.

My boss and our Estimator at work both have the WHS qualification, so we have someone at every level with the knowledge to cover our legal obligations, and most importantly send our crew home in one piece every night. I had Kevin Obermuller as the trainer and he explained everything until we all understood the concepts and used his life experiences in many industries to tell great stories to make the information hit home.

It’s amazing that spending even 5 minutes looking closely at risks can make a huge impact.

 

What has been the impact of you doing the course?

I have stopped work recently because of an unsafe site, even though the client pushed for us to start. In the ‘bad old days’, workers would just give in to the pressure and start the job. I’ve always known it but now I have the legal background knowledge to explain my rights and obligations and take the action needed to not start work until we are satisfied we have identified all risks and managed them.

Now that the crew know I’ve done the qualification, they come to me for advice. We now have the confidence to stop work if any new hazards come up through the day and ensure they’re managed before anyone starts work again. Previously, the boys often wanted to jump in and just start working without having safety measures in place – like wearing dust masks. Now I can’t walk past this.

Now I can explain the legal side and the more and more I talk, the more people get it. The crew now share stories about things that have happened on other sites. Combining our experiences and perspectives makes the safety message come alive.

I’m also implementing pre-inspection walk-throughs of our jobs to check the site risks. This not only ensures the site is safe before we turn up, but is saving the boss money because we don’t have crews standing around at start time because the site isn’t safe for us.

Another thing that came out of the course is that I’m now implementing a sit-down chat with all our new people to go through the SWMS (Safe Work Method Statements). Rather than just handing them the documents, I now go through it with them and have them thoroughly understand what they are signing on to. The SWMS can be long so in the past some people just sign them off without understanding they are actually signing a legal document.

On-site today, we had a contractor truck driver arrive. He’d parked ready to start work. I pulled him up and we looked at the risks – he hadn’t been aware of the powerlines as a potential hazard. Without that conversation, he would not have been ready to start work. He moved his truck out of the danger zone after that conversation and he thanked me for bringing it to his attention when he left. This is the difference this course makes – you just don’t step over anything that can put people at risk.

 

What would you say to others considering doing the course?

This course is like the invention of the wheel – you look back and see how things used to be before you had that knowledge. You do things and operate very differently when you don’t know what you don’t know. Now, with the knowledge of WHS, we are doing jobs completely differently when it comes to safety and the jobs are still getting done to a high standard and on time.

I wish more people were able to do the course and take the opportunity of CSQ funding. Having the subsidy available takes away a big financial barrier to doing the course and I am recommending more of our people get this knowledge. I encourage at least one person from every construction company to do the Cert IV in WHS. Put your hand up for the responsibility – this training makes all the difference. Doing the program has opened my eyes – once you have the knowledge you are never the same.

Workplace Dimensions thanks Kevin for speaking to us and wish him all the best keeping everyone safe!

Do you know we offer the BSB41415 Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety

program in a live, interactive online format?

NOTE:
The BSB41415 Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety is being superseded by BSB41419 Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety.

Contact us to express your interest and we'll let you know when we have dates for the new program.

Gain your qualification in Work Health & Safety in a live online environment, via computer or device

Our BSB41415 Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety program is now available through a facilitator-led, real-time, interactive training environment – via an internet connected computer or device.

This could be the right time to add value to your role while working at home or from the workplace.

This is not a pre-recorded online program – it is the same experience as our face-to-face programs, delivered by our public programs division Workplace Dimensions.

 

FOR ALL INDUSTRIES

 

 

Express your interest
Find out about subsidised places

More from our blog

Why self-paced online training isn’t for everyone – and how LDN do online differently.

Why self-paced online training isn’t for everyone – and how LDN do online differently.

Hasn’t the world changed? In a short period, we now have a ‘new normal’. For some, this has meant working from home, for others, reduced hours, being stood down, or unfortunately retrenched.

What has become certain is that life is uncertain.

 

Yet, the need to expand our skills and be more ‘employable’ has never been more critical. If this resonates and you find yourself ‘googling’ online training or qualifications, there are a couple of things to consider.

Not all online training is the same.

Training providers vary in what they consider ‘online’ learning. When researching, find out how the program is delivered and what happens if you get stuck.  Is the program fully self-paced? This may mean you are given a pdf workbook, login to an online portal of content, pre-recorded lessons including videos, materials, quizzes and message boards, then it is up to you to go through the content and complete assessments. Research what live support you get from trainers via email, chat or phone.  Is this included in the price or extra? How quickly will they respond to your questions or give you feedback?

This style of learning works for some. Why? It’s inexpensive (compared to face-to-face training), you can do it at your own pace, (working around family commitments or work) and you can do it from anywhere.

Sounds like #winning – right?

At LDN, we do things differently.

Our online training is delivered in real-time, with a live facilitator interacting with you, just as they would in face-to-face training – all from the comfort of your home or workplace or anywhere else you can get an internet connection. 

 

We know how people learn best, and therefore combine the best of face-to-face training interactively, just delivered via technology to give you the best learning outcome. We use the most compelling aspects of online interactive technology but don’t leave our learners muddling through on their own.

 

How do you know if self-paced online programs will work for you?

Even with the best intentions, do you sometimes find yourself procrastinating, or struggling to find time to juggle all the urgent versus important things each day?  Let’s face it, we’re not all cut out for self-paced learning. The allure of training in your own time, when convenient, is attractive. However self-paced online only, without live sessions requires steely self-discipline, especially if there is no set timetable.  Also, watching a video and reading materials isn’t always the most exciting way to learn, even if you are passionate about the subject. Especially if the only sliver of time you have to yourself is at 3 am on a Wednesday.

These factors are critical contributors to why online training programs have lower completion rates than traditional face-to-face programs, so you should ask yourself, “Am I a self-paced person or can I find a way to make a structured program work?”.

 

With LDN, you learn in real-time. 

For most people, we find sticking to a structure and having physical materials helps them get things done. When you undertake our programs, you’ll turn up at a specific time on a particular day, just like a real face-to-face session. If you can commit to the time, you’ll get through the content.

We will send you the workbook in the mail so you have something actually in front of you before the live training starts.  No reading pages and pages of text off a screen, nothing to print.  We provide everything you need to participate.  You can find out more about how we do this here.

 

Checking for deep understanding

Our live facilitators check for understanding throughout the session. When a question arises during a face-to-face learning session, it’s dealt with in the moment, so you can then continue your learning with that question answered. If you’re learning in a self-paced format, you may be less likely to ask questions to fill in the gaps of your knowledge if it means sending an email, then waiting for a response and may keep going even if you don’t quite ‘get it’. This may later impact how successful you are with your assessments, and more importantly, it creates a gap in your knowledge.

If you’re someone who likes to ask questions as you’re learning, learning in a live interactive format is going to deliver you the best outcome.

 

Doing it on your own doesn’t work for everyone

The solitary nature of some online self-paced programs may suit students who are uncomfortable in a classroom situation. But if you’re a person who learns well in a group and likes to bounce off ideas, self-paced will likely be a little lonely for you. Traditional eLearning is often geared toward ploughing away at the program content with few opportunities for social interaction, apart from writing and responding to threads on message boards.  This doesn’t make a program’ interactive’, and often the best learning happens when participating or listening to an evolving live conversation!

 

With LDN you’ll learn with a live facilitator and a group of other learners.

You’ll get one of our excellent facilitators live on your computer or device from where ever you are. And you’ll learn with others – just like a real training room. You’ll be able to see your facilitator, interact, discuss, join break-out rooms and simulate many of the activities you can do in a ‘real’ training room. This is as close to a live training experience as you can get without physically being in a room together.

 

Completion rates and satisfaction

If you’re looking at self-paced accredited training, ask your provider, “What’s the completion rate of people undertaking their program?”.  This will give you a good idea of how well they support their learners through their learning and assessments.

 

We’ll be there for you.

Our support doesn’t end when the live interactive online sessions do. You have time after the interactive sessions to complete your assessments with our facilitators and support staff available to support you via video chat, phone and email.  Our results demonstrate quality.  The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NVCER) surveyed graduates of our accredited programs and reported:

  • 97.1% were employed or enrolled in further study after training.
  • 96.8% were satisfied with the overall quality of their training.
  • 93.7% would recommend the training, 96.4% would recommend us as a training provider.
  • 89.3% achieved their main reason for doing the training

 

See the full  NVCER report here.

 

By focusing on the vital component of learning collaboratively, with a real-time facilitator and your peers (yet also supported by online collaboration tools) LDN uses the technology to enhance your learning experience – and that’s what gives our learners the best outcome.

______________________

SOURCES

https://workplacedimensions.com.au/wp-content/uploads/NCVER-Australian-vocational-education-and-training-statistics.pdf
https://www.ncver.edu.au/research-and-statistics/publications/all-publications/online-delivery-of-vet-qualifications

Safety Dimensions offers both accredited and non accredited programs though our LDN-i platform powered by the Zoom conferencing platform.

 

Call us on 1300 453 555  or contact us for more info.

What public programs are coming up soon?

Subcontractor Management live, online and interactive.

SLCSCM406 Implement and monitor subcontractor work health and safety requirements

Learn to manage subcontractors and gain a unit  which is part of the 10604NAT Certificate IV in Safety Leadership (WHS) – Construction program.

Find out more >>

WHS live, online and interactive.

BSB41415 Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety: 5-day program.

A nationally recognised qualification which will train you to identify hazards in your workplace, assist with responding to incidents, assess and control risk, and consult on work health and safety issues.

 

Find out more >>

5 tips for working successfully with subcontractors

5 tips for working successfully with subcontractors

Organisations are increasingly including subcontractors in their internal training, so everyone is aligned under a single Health & Safety framework. Not only is this beneficial for alignment of safety behaviours, but from a WHS compliance perspective, you have a duty of care to everyone who walks on site – and this includes your subcontractors.

Here are 5 things you should do to meet your WHS obligations and make partnering with your subcontractors run smoothly.

 

1. Know your obligations

Do you know your legal obligations when it comes to your subcontractors?

If you don’t know how can you plan to be compliant?

PCBUs (Persons Conducting Business or Undertaking) must ensure the health and safety of all workers at work in the business or undertaking including those :

  • who are engaged or are caused to be engaged by the PCBU – this includes subcontractors.
  • whose activities in carrying out work are influenced or directed by the PCBU.

You can check out our video below “WHAT AM I ACCOUNTABLE FOR?” which covers information about your general obligations.

2. Align subbies with your safety culture

Get your subcontractors involved in your internal safety training. Doing a safety course or have a special safety briefing? Get them involved. Subcontractors can’t meet your standards if they don’t know what your standards are. Training should focus on how to build partnerships with your subcontractors, rather than micro-managing them.

 

3. Appropriate supervision

Have regular project meetings to address whether your subcontractors’ performance is meeting the project’s safety and quality requirements. Keep a record of the communications and documentation you share with subcontractors so everyone is clear on who needs to do what, when and how.

 

4. Two-way communication

There should be two way communications between you and your subcontractor. Always be approachable and communicate clearly and succinctly so there’s no room for miscommunication or errors.  When the lines of communication are easy and each side knows the expectations, issues can get resolved more quickly and more gets accomplished.

 

5. Give them feedback

When you need to give your subcontractor feedback, do it in a way that encourages continuous improvement rather than blame, and remediation over retaliation. It’s also important to give positive feedback and acknowledge a job well done.

Want to learn to manage subcontractors?

Our 1-day live and interactive online program via computer or device.

Our program covers the WHS obligations regarding subcontractors and is designed to step through the various stages of effective subcontractor management, including assessing, evaluating safety history, attitudes, performance and reporting.

You will also gain the nationally recognised unit SLCSCM406 Implement and monitor subcontractor work health and safety requirements, which is part of the 10604NAT Certificate IV in Safety Leadership (WHS) – Construction program.

Subcontractor Management is one of our most popular and requested programs, now available to the public via our live and interactive online format, available from anywhere you can access an internet connection.

Program Format & Cost


This program is a facilitator-led, real-time, interactive training environment via an internet-connected computer or device.
This is not a pre-recorded online program, it is the same experience as our face-to-face programs.


Date:  Thursday 4th June 2020

Cost:  $495

Group Discount: 6 or more $395 per person..

GST is not applicable to accredited training.
The program fee includes all materials and assessments.

Read more and enrol

More from our blog

Train your staff at home with LDN Interactive (LDN-i) – helping organisations train and develop staff while isolated

Train your staff at home with LDN Interactive (LDN-i) – helping organisations train and develop staff while isolated

Safety Dimensions, Leadership Dimensions & Workplace Dimensions programs are now available through a facilitator-led, real-time, interactive training environment – via computer.

We don’t offer pre-recorded online programs – just the same experience of our face-to-face programs, delivered differently.

About our live interactive online WHS program

As COVID-19 isolation measures come into play around the nation, many businesses are preparing to have their workforces work from home, where their roles permit.

Even though business-as-usual is interrupted, we can help organisations add significant value to their workforce while they are working at home. Using our LDN interactive platform (LDN-i), you can train and upskill your workforce with real-time interactive, cloud-based training via computer in any of our Safety Dimensions, Leadership Dimensions or Workplace Dimensions programs.

This includes programs in safety leadership, risk management, hazard reduction, leadership, building relationships, managing subcontractors; or any of the programs in our suite of accredited and non-accredited safety or leadership programs.

LDN-i is based on the video conferencing platform Zoom and brings your team together remotely to learn in real-time. Led by one of our skilled facilitators, the platform simulates face-to-face workshop experiences such as, interacting with those in the virtual ‘room’, asking questions, using discovery learning, conducting breakout activities, sharing ideas, using polls, having conversations and role playing new skills and knowledge.


 

 

W
What are the benefits of training with the LDN-i interactive platform while your people are working at home?

  • You can leverage the interruption in business-as-usual to upskill your people in a wide range of safety and leadership programs, customised to your organisational needs.
  • Your business can provide professional development for your people and you can choose from non-accredited courses or nationally recognised accredited qualifications.
  • The platform creates a sense of community and connection and your people will be able to see and interact with each other while working from home.
  • It helps your team manage their wellbeing by giving their day structure, allowing them to interactively work together and see and work with colleagues, even though isolated at home.
  • LDN can report on attendance and engagement in the same way we do in face-to-face programs.

 

 

 

W
We don’t offer pre-recorded workshops, all our training is live, real-time facilitator-led engagement with participants, customised for your organisational needs and delivered in an interactive online environment.

Our instructional designers work with your organisation to design a program that meets your organisational needs, then deliver it to your workforce live from our three new permanent interactive training technology rooms at our Head Office, with more locations around Australia to come.

We utilise the Zoom interactive conferencing software, which is available cross-platform – either in a web browser or as a downloadable app for desktops or devices. Alternatively, it can be integrated into your intranet. The software is free for your users and uses an Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) 256-bit algorithm to keep everyone’s data safe.

To participate, participants are only required to be connected to the internet via desktop computer or a tablet device with a camera, mic and headphones. If your participant group doesn’t have access to hardware, LDN can provide tablets and headphones. We look after all the logistics and materials.

 

The LDN-i solution is the same great learning experience of our face-to-face training, just delivered differently.

What our participants say about our live, interactive online LDN-i programs

“If you haven’t done it, this is the course to do. The quality of information learnt and the group discussions alone are priceless. My confidence has lifted through the knowledge I have gained from doing this course with Kevin. It’ll be the best thing you’ve done in a long while.”

“Absolutely awesome way of learning.
Don’t knock it till you try it.”

“I think it’s an excellent way of learning. I feel more engaged when I do it from home rather than doing it at the workplace.“

“If you’re considering the program – do it, you will learn stuff you didn’t think about learning.

“A great innovative experience.“

“Where would I start? Beginning with the legislation to reticular activity system, attitude-behaviour-consequences, ILEAD, SMART are some of the tools, guides and other techniques I have learnt doing the course that I will utilise in my workplace.

The whole program was fantastic, thank you Kevin and the Workplace Dimensions team.”

“Kevin thank you for giving me an insight into a whole new industry and for sharing your unlimited knowledge and resources with us as a group. I have learnt a great deal about work health and safety and endeavour to improve on my safety knowledge and lead by example in my workplace and home.”

“I think learning via ZOOM was very effective.
I felt I was able to interact with the group as well as I would have in person.”

“The facilitator did a great job at delivering the course material, the training was engaging and interesting.
The public speaking aspect of face to face training while learning new skills/topics can bring about some anxiety for me and the online forum eliminated this.”

“Learning via computer was brilliant, I was really pleased. Best type of learning I’ve done.
Our company should do more safety courses online like this one.”

“Absolutely worthwhile. Couldn’t have asked for a better facilitator than Kevin.
Incredibly knowledgeable and knows how o get the best out of each participant in the class”

“Really good. Encourages people to talk in turn rather than on top of each other.”

Are you an existing LDN client?

For our clients who are continuing to run face-to-face training, you can read our COVID-19 response for information on the additional precautions we are implementing to keep learners and facilitators safe while learning together. We work in partnership with your organisational policies to ensure the safety of everyone as our number one priority while also mindful that the situation is ever-changing.

If your workforce is mandating working from home, what your options?

If your organisation is mandating work from home, we have the capacity to continue to deliver programs to your organisation, delivered straight to your staff while they are isolated through our interactive LDN-i interactive, facilitator-led live training, delivered via computer.

They will still be able to interact with those in the virtual ‘room’, ask questions, use discovery learning, utilise flipcharts, conduct breakout activities, share ideas, have conversations and role-play new skills and knowledge.

Our solution is the same great learning experience, just delivered differently.

What technical set up do you need to make this happen?

The Zoom software only requires an internet connection and works cross-platform on all PC and Mac desktop computers, devices and smartphones that have a camera and microphone, which most devices already have.

The Zoom software platform is free for users, and is available either in-browser (through Chrome, Firefox etc.), as a downloadable app for computers and devices, or can be integrated by IT teams into your company intranet. You can select either of these options or have multiple points of access and your people will still be able to participate.

How do people log on to a program and how do organisations know they’ve attended?

Our project management team provide your participants with secure logins, just for your specific training session. We can also report on attendance and engagement in the same way we do in face-to-face programs.

How secure is this?

Zoom also encrypts all content at the application layer using the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) 256-bit algorithm, so the contents of your training are secure.

What if my people aren’t used to using technology this way?
We have implemented technical help resources to seamlessly support participants not familiar with working with this form of technology. If your participant group doesn’t have access to the hardware, tablets can be provided.

How about workbooks and assessments?

We can still supply workbooks, handouts and assessments via post to your workforce and they can return assessments to us electronically for accredited programs. LDN will look after logistics in the same meticulous way we do with our face-to-face programs.

 

How can you get started?
For more information, or to discuss your options, please email your LDN client contact or call our Head Office on 03 9510 0477.

 

NOTE:
The BSB41415 Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety is being superseded by BSB41419 Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety.

Contact us to express your interest and we'll let you know when we have dates for the new program.

Gain your qualification in Work Health & Safety in a live online environment, via computer or device

Our BSB41415 Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety program is now available through a facilitator-led, real-time, interactive training environment – via an internet connected computer or device.

This could be the right time to add value to your role while working at home or from the workplace.

This is not a pre-recorded online program – it is the same experience as our face-to-face programs, delivered by our public programs division Workplace Dimensions.

 

FOR ALL INDUSTRIES

 

 

Express your interest
Find out about subsidised places

More from our blog

How to nail your goals

How to nail your goals

Are you left with a bundle of New Year’s resolutions which sounded like a good idea at the time, but never made it past the idea stage?

Here are six hacks to revive those goals.

1. Know what you want and get SMART about it

Goals work best if they have broader purpose and a way to measure their success.

This works best in two parts. First establish the overarching WHY of your chosen goal. Ask, why is that goal important to you? Keep asking ‘why’ till you find a context that inspires you.  If you’re looking find a new job, perhaps your ‘why’ is to ‘do challenging work that uses my skills and expands my boundaries’.

Similarly a goal to lose 5kg might be more inspiring to have the ‘why’ of improved health, vitality and wellbeing.

Once you’ve got your overarching ‘why’, make sure your goals are SMART: Specific – Measurable – Actionable – Reinforcing –Trackable.

2. Find an ally

If you want to make your goal stick, share it with someone who’s willing to keep you in check. Tell them why the goal is important to you and ask them to remind you if you go off track. Tapping into groups that have like-minded people, or connecting with someone else who shares the same goal (or has already achieved it) can motivate you to stay on track.

3. Line your ducks up

Whether it’s a personal or professional goal, make sure you have your resources ready to deploy. Planning to run a marathon won’t turn out so well without a training plan and shoes that will go the distance. Ask, do you need to pace yourself, or is it a sprint? Know what you need to do (actions), have (resources) and be (personal attributes) to meet your goal.

4. Set micro-goals

Break down your overarching goals into bite sized micro-goals with milestones and diarise all the tasks you’ll need to complete to keep you on track.

5. Plan for a breakdown

It’s almost certain that something will come up that puts achieving your goal at risk. Life will get in your way, or maybe you’ll get in your own way. How you handle the obstacles and breakdowns will dictate your success or failure. Plan out what action you’re going to take when these breakdowns happen.

6. Celebrate the wins

Not all goals happen overnight, so it’s important to celebrate the small wins along the way to keep you motivated and to acknowledge how far you’ve come.

Want to crush some career goals this year?

Find out about our public programs

From our blog

WHS Learner Profile – Kevin Walker

WHS Learner Profile – Kevin Walker

, ,

Kevin Walker recently undertook the  BSB41415 Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety, a nationally recognised qualification which trained him to identify hazards in the workplace, assist with responding to incidents, assess and control risk, and consult on work...

read more