If the idea of goal-setting makes you laugh – kinda like New Years Resolutions – let’s talk about ways to set goals so you can actually achieve them…
“A goal without a plan is just a wish” – Jeff Rich
And that’s the difference between wishy-washy goals and an action plan approach.
Most people set vague goals that sound lovely and exciting, but don’t have anything backing them up to ensure they are on track to make them happen.
Let’s stop making wishes and start goal-getting!
Here are my 4 steps to real goal-getting…
1. Get specific
Take that wonderful BHAG (big hairy audacious goal), and work backwards.
- When do you want to achieve it?
- What do you need to do every week/month/year to make sure it happens by your deadline?
Your big goal might be to ‘grow my business’. And that’s a great vision, but it’s still just a wish – you want specific, actionable goals.
So, what practical goals do you need to set to make that happen?
One specific way to grow your business might be to ‘double my current monthly leads by September’.
If that’s the case, what smaller milestones needs to happen? Here are some examples (but you’ll have more!)…
– Start using Facebook
– Begin nurturing your database and past clients
– Try regular networking
Now we have turned that big goal into manageable goals, we can break those down further into steps that you can practically add to your to-do list.
2. Create your action plan
To ‘start using Facebook’ – what steps do you need to take?
a. Create a page
b. Compile images to use
c. Map out a posting plan
d. Schedule up a months/weeks worth of posts
e. Engage in some relevant FB groups
Each of those tasks you can now schedule into your calendar in manageable chunks.
Prioritise! Set your ‘weekly top 5’s’ = non-negotiable actions that MUST happen each week (or pick any number which is achievable). Then everything else you get done is a happy bonus.
Now do this for every specific goal you have identified that will help you reach your BHAG.
3. Set your accountability actions
This is crucial – implementing ways to keep yourself accountable on the way to your goals makes it 100x more likely you will achieve them!
- Schedule reminders on your phone.
- Pick an accountability buddy.
- Book in a weekly review to check you are making progress.
- Put your big goal and list of specific actions on your wall to tick off for the visual assurance you are chipping away at your goals.
4. Choose your rewards!
Pick something big for the end of the road – once you tick off your BHAG or one of your specific goals – that will motivate you to get started and give you something to look forward to.
Choose smaller rewards for along the way to maintain that feeling of achievement. Rewards activate the pleasure centre in the brain so you get a hit of dopamine and feel motivated to tick off more tasks!
Wishes will get your business dreams started – but action plans and manageable goals will make them come true!
