After the summer break, you have the chance to start fresh. Autumn lies ahead with new opportunities, making it the perfect time to reflect on how you want to grow and develop.
Clear goals at work are valuable – they bring focus and motivation. But many people fall into the trap of framing their goals only as fixed results: “I will get there, in this way, by this time.” That can work in stable environments. The problem is that today’s working life is rarely that predictable. Things change quickly, priorities shift, and the path forward often takes unexpected turns. In those situations, result-based goals risk becoming more of a burden than a support – and motivation drops. On top of that, they make progress unnecessarily black-and-white: you either succeed or fail, even though you may have learned a lot along the way.
What you can always influence, however, are your behaviors and habits. Small, everyday actions that you control yourself – that strengthen learning and development and, over time, lead to the results you want.
That’s why we want to highlight the PACT model – and how you can use it to set goals that actually hold up over time.
What is the PACT model?
The PACT model, developed by Anne-Laure Le Cunff, is a method that helps you reach your goals by focusing on the behaviors that get you there, rather than obsessing over outcomes.
P – Purposeful (meaningful)
A – Actionable (doable)
C – Continuous (ongoing)
T – Trackable (measurable and adjustable)
Step by step: How to set a PACT goal
1. Start with your why
Your goal should feel meaningful and important to you. A clear why creates both motivation and direction.
Example: “I want to feel more confident when speaking in front of others so that my ideas come across more clearly.”
2. Translate it into a behaviour
Define something you can actually do in your daily life that helps you move forward.
Example: “In each weekly team meeting, I will share one thought or idea with my colleagues.”
3. Turn it into a habit
Decide when and how often you will do it – small, repeated steps over time have the greatest impact.
Example: “Twice a week, I will spend 20 minutes practicing a presentation and use part of it in the next team meeting.”
4. Track and adjust
Keep track of what you do and what you learn. Write a short reflection, tick off a simple checklist, or note what worked well and what you’d like to try differently next time.
Example: “After each meeting, I’ll quickly reflect: What worked? What do I want to change next time?”
By setting goals this way, you shift your focus from “What will I achieve?” to “What will I try, learn from, and adjust?” Each step is a test, each outcome a learning, and each failure valuable feedback.
Time to get started
Small steps, repeated over time, create big change. With PACT, you get a simple structure that helps you stay on track – even when circumstances shift.
So pause and ask yourself: What small behaviors can I start with today to move things forward?
Good luck!
Do you want to create the right conditions for performance and learning in your organization? Contact us for a free consultation and let us help you identify the best next step – based on your goals and challenges.
