I’ll bet you have heard most of your life that effective goal setting is essential for success. Why then do so many of us fall short on this essential business and life skill? The answer is complex and there are a variety of psychological reasons.
However rather than digging into the “why”, we will first quickly assess where you stand then use the following 10 tips for developing more powerful goals.
Start by asking yourself these 3 questions:
1) Do I have clear, written and measurable goals for my business and personal growth?
2) Have I created specific action steps required to achieve each goal?
3) Do I regularly track and measure the progress of each of my goals?
If your answer is no the ten keys below will help you to become more effective with your goal setting efforts and achieve more measurable results in your business.
People with clear, written goals, accomplish far more in a shorter period of time than people without them could ever imagine. Brian Tracy
In my 2005 book Success Secrets of The Online Marketing Superstars I interviewed legendary author, Mark Victor Hansen about goals. He is the co-author of the best selling series in history Chicken Soul For The Soul knows quite a lot about developing BIG goals. Here are his tips about goal setting:
1) Your most important goals must be yours.
Not your spouse’s. Not your child’s. Not your employer’s. Yours. When you let other people determine your definition of success, you’re sabotaging your own future.
2) Your goals must mean something to you.
When you write your goals, you must ask yourself, “What’s really important to me?” “What am I prepared to give up to make this happen?” Your reasons for charting a new course of action give you the drive and energy to get up every morning.
3) Your goals must be specific and measurable.
Vague generalizations and wishy-washy statements aren’t good enough. Be very specific!
4) Your goals must be flexible.
A flexible plan keeps you from feeling suffocated and allows you to take advantage of genuine opportunities that walk in your future door.
5) Your goals must be challenging, exciting.
Force yourself to jump out of your comfort zone to acquire that energy and edge.
6) Your goals must be in alignment with your values.
Pay attention to your intuition, your gut. When you set a goal that contradicts your values, something inside will twinge. Pay attention.
7) Your goals must be well-balanced.
Make sure you include areas that allow time to relax, have fun and enjoy people in your closest circle.
8) Your goals must be realistic.
Be expansive but don’t be ridiculous. If you’re four feet tall, you will probably never play in the NBA. Also, be sure to allow yourself time to get there.
9) Your goals must include contribution.
Unfortunately, many people get so wrapped up in pursuing their goals that they don’t have time in their lives to give something back to society. Build this into your goals program.
10) Your goals need to be supported.
Either selectivity share a few of your dreams with a number of people, or share all of your dreams with a select few people. In either case, you’re creating a web of support and accountability for yourself.
Open your mind to all the possibilities. Start each goal with “I am” or “I will.” Don’t even think about restricting yourself!
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Your Coaching Action Step:
Review the list above and write 5-7 specific 3 month goals (e.g. 10 new clients, 1000 new subscribers to my mailing list) then write the specific steps you will take to get there and track your progress every day!
by Mitch Meyerson