Master your yearly planning with these goal-setting examples for 2026

Summary

In this guide, you will learn:

• Different goal-setting frameworks like SMART and OKRs.

• The goal-setting process from objectives to actionable targets.

• How to use Miro's templates for goal setting.

• The role of strategic planning tools in aligning goals.

• How to incorporate metrics and key results.

• Best practices for team collaboration and communication.

2026 is just around the corner, and there’s no better time to align your goals for the year ahead. Whether you’re leading a team, planning for your career, or tackling personal projects, having clear, actionable goals makes all the difference. In this article, we’ll explore proven frameworks and tools to help you set goals that stick. And, of course, we’ll show how Miro can streamline your planning process with visual templates that support both real-time and async collaboration.

Let’s dive into some goal-setting templates and examples that can inspire your next big move.

Setting your goals for the next year

Goal-setting isn’t just about writing down what you want to achieve—it’s about creating a roadmap to get there. The most effective goals are specific, measurable, and rooted in purpose. Think about what success looks like for you or your team by the end of 2026.

Before you dive in, ask yourself:

• What do I want to accomplish in the next 12 months?

• How will I measure success?

• What’s the impact if I achieve these goals?

Answering these questions sets the foundation for effective goal-setting. Now, let’s explore some frameworks to guide you.

The classic goal-setting framework from our library

Sometimes, the simplest approach is the best place to start. Miro’s goal-setting template is designed to help people and teams create clear, actionable goals with ease.

Goal-setting template

This straightforward template is perfect for outlining your objectives in a structured way. It uses a framework to guide you through setting goals, aligning expectations, and defining success metrics. Whether you’re working on personal growth, employee development, or team initiatives, this tool makes the process seamless.

You can use the template to:

• Identify high-priority goals for the year.

• Set milestones for tracking progress.

• Visualize your action steps collaboratively with your team.

Want to get started? Open the goal-setting template and see how easy it is to map out your objectives.

Other goal-setting templates for you to try

Different teams and people have unique needs when it comes to goal-setting. That’s why Miro offers a variety of templates tailored to different approaches. Here are two favorites that can add depth to your planning.

Mandala chart template

Struggling to find balance between professional and personal goals? The Mandala chart template provides a visual way to organize your priorities across multiple life dimensions. This framework encourages you to think holistically, balancing areas like work, health, relationships, and self-care.

Here’s how it works:

• Break down your goals into eight categories (e.g., career, personal growth, health).

• Define specific objectives for each category.

• Visualize how these goals connect to your overall vision for 2026.

It’s perfect for anyone looking for a well-rounded approach to goal-setting. Check out the Mandala chart template and bring clarity to your priorities.

SMART goal-setting template

If you need goals that are crystal clear and easy to measure, the SMART goals template is your go-to. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound—a tried-and-true formula for goal-setting success.

Use this template to:

• Break down big ideas into actionable, measurable steps.

• Create timelines and metrics to track progress.

• Align goals with team or company objectives.

This framework is ideal for employee goal-setting examples or team alignment sessions. Get started with the SMART goal-setting template today.

Goal-setting examples from our community

Templates aren’t just tools—they’re starting points for real success. Here are some examples of goal-setting workflows that teams and individuals have used to plan effectively.

Company goal-setting workshop

Planning for the entire year? The company goal-setting workshop template is perfect for aligning teams around strategic objectives. It’s designed for collaborative brainstorming, allowing everyone to contribute ideas and prioritize goals together.

Why it’s effective:

• Facilitates alignment across teams and departments.

• Creates a shared vision for the year ahead.

• Tracks actionable steps in one centralized space.

Explore the company goal-setting workshop template and start planning with your team.

Goal-setting and planning template

For teams juggling multiple priorities, the goal-setting and planning template combines strategic thinking with tactical action. It’s a great example of how to blend high-level planning with the day-to-day execution.

Use this template to:

• Set overarching goals for the year.

• Break them down into quarterly or monthly plans.

• Track progress and adjust as needed.

Find inspiration in the goal-setting and planning template.

Yearly goal-setting roadmap template

Need a big-picture view of the year ahead? The yearly goal-setting roadmap template helps you visualize your goals across an entire calendar year. It’s perfect for long-term planning and aligning on key milestones.

Why teams love it:

• Provides a clear timeline for achieving goals.

• Highlights dependencies and critical dates.

• Keeps everyone aligned on priorities.

See how it works with the yearly goal-setting roadmap template.

More goal-setting templates

Beyond SMART-specific frameworks, consider exploring community templates for complementary goal-setting methodologies. Here's when to use each one.

OKR Workshop Template

Access the OKR Workshop template

What it is: A facilitation framework for defining Objectives and Key Results — a goal-setting system that separates aspirational objectives from measurable key results.

Use this template when:

• You need to align multiple teams around shared company-wide objectives

• Your goals require separating "what we want to achieve" (objectives) from "how we'll measure success" (key results)

• You're working in a fast-growth environment where priorities shift quarterly

• You want to encourage ambitious thinking — OKRs typically aim for 60-70% achievement rates rather than 100%

• You need a collaborative workshop format that builds buy-in across departments

Best for: Leadership teams, department heads running quarterly planning sessions, and organizations adopting OKR methodology for the first time.

GROW Framework Template

Access the GROW Framework template

What it is: A coaching structure that guides goal-setting conversations through four stages: Goal, Reality, Options, and Way Forward.

Use this template when:

• You're coaching people or teams through goal development (rather than setting goals for them)

• The goal isn't clearly defined yet — someone knows they want change, but hasn't articulated exactly what

• You need to surface obstacles and brainstorm solutions before committing to a goal

• You're working with someone who's stuck and needs help identifying their next steps

• You want a conversational, exploratory approach rather than a top-down planning exercise

Best for: Managers conducting one-on-ones, executive coaches working with clients, career counselors, and team leaders facilitating personal development discussions.

Strategic Goals Template

Access the Strategic Goals template

What it is: A comprehensive planning framework that connects high-level organizational strategy to specific initiatives and success metrics.

Use this template when:

• You're translating company vision into actionable goals across multiple time horizons (annual, quarterly, monthly)

• You need to show clear line-of-sight from executive strategy to team execution

• Multiple departments need to coordinate around shared strategic priorities

• You're conducting annual strategic planning and need a visual representation of how everything connects

• Stakeholders need to understand not just what you're doing, but why it matters to the broader strategy

Best for: Executive teams, strategy and operations professionals, business unit leaders, and anyone responsible for cascade communication of organizational goals.

Workpath Goal Setting Template

Access the Workpath Goal Setting template

What it is: A structured approach to outcome-focused goal-setting that emphasizes cross-functional alignment and transparent progress tracking.

Use this template when:

• You need clear ownership and accountability for each goal across distributed teams

• Your goals require coordination between multiple departments or functions

• You want to track progress transparently so everyone can see how their work contributes to larger outcomes

• You're implementing a continuous performance management approach rather than annual goal-setting

• You need to balance top-down strategic goals with bottom-up team initiatives

Best for: Cross-functional project teams, organizations using OKR or MBO (Management by Objectives) frameworks, and distributed teams that need visible alignment on shared goals.

Bonus template: Retrospective template

Goal-setting doesn’t stop at planning—it’s equally important to reflect on what worked and what didn’t. Miro’s retrospective template helps teams analyze past performance to improve future planning.

Use it to:

• Celebrate wins and learn from challenges.

• Adjust goals based on past insights.

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement.

Kick off your next planning session with the retrospective template.

Start 2026 set up for success with Miro

Ready to turn your 2026 goals into reality? With Miro’s innovation workspace, you’ll have everything you need to set, track, and achieve your objectives. From intuitive goal-setting templates to powerful collaboration features, Miro empowers you to plan visually and work smarter—together.

Start exploring our goal-setting templates today, and let’s make 2026 your most productive year yet!

Author: Miro Team

Last update: October 22, 2025