How to Make Small Business Goals that You Can Keep
As we begin to inch through the first month of 2013 you undoubtedly have either heard from others their New Year’s Resolutions or have some of your own. You are also likely familiar with the concept that 70% of those well-intentioned goal-setters, won’t keep those goals.
What is the difference between those small business owners who keep their goals and those who don’t? And how can you tell which group you will fall into this year?
Make Your Goals Specific. Any goal that is ambiguous is likely to go into the not-done category. Do you know anyone with a goal to “get organized” or “lose weight”? Sure you do. Even if those people do make some progress toward their goals they are not likely to have the pay-off of the accomplishing their goal because they don’t have a specific point to celebrate. On the other hand, if you know someone who has a New Year’s Resolution to “reorganize a pantry by adding in airtight containers and horizontal divider shelves and a spice cabinet” will be more likely to see her goal realized.
Think Short Term. Achieving a goal in a year is awesome… and overwhelming. Rather than setting one huge goal to be reached within a year, set a 3 or 6 month goal. Having a target that is right around the corner will keep it in the forefront of your mind. Plus, seeing your big goal broken down into smaller increments helps you to assess whether that goal is indeed achievable. Want to gain 100 new recurring clients in 2013? Well that means you will need to gain 50 in the next 6 months, or in other words at least 9 new recurring clients every month.
Have a Solid Plan. Don’t set a goal that you can’t back up with a solid plan. This might include outlining the techniques and steps that you will need to take to accomplish your goal. In the example above you will need to have a specific plan for lead generation in order to get those 9 new recurring clients each month. If you don’t have a specific and realistic plan to attain your goal, you are less likely to get to it.
So make 2013 the year you actually reach your goals or resolutions. Not only will you enjoy that proud feeling of being one of the people in the 30% that do it, but that sense of accomplishment is more likely to propel you toward setting and meeting more goals in your future.