Smart women understand that setting clear goals creates a road map to follow and dramatically increases your chances of success in business. Regardless of where you are in your business cycle, the success of your business depends on the long and short term goals you have set and the roadmap to get there. What goals have you set for your business? Better yet, what actions have you taken to achieve them? If you’re not sure, here are 5 P’s to successful goal setting.
Setting a goal is not the main thing. It’s deciding how you’re going to go about it and stick to that plan.” Tom Landry, Football Coach
PASSION
Why is passion an important ingredient in business? Starting and running a business is extremely challenging. It takes endless time and attention. When you absolutely love what you do, you will be able to face each uphill battle to overcome difficult obstacles as you work your way to the top. That passion will allow you to see your goals through to the end.
PRIORITIZE
Women are notorious for putting others first, especially their family and businesses. Unfortunately, doing so often causes stress, exhaustion, or illness…if you’re not careful!
taking care of your must be priority! When setting your goals, it should first be about your, and then your family and business. Ultimately, you are in control of the ‘how, when, where and why’ to achieve your goals. Your goals must align, personally and professionally.
PLAN
If you take a road trip and don’t plan your route, how likely are you to reach your intended destination? Just as planning your route is essential; determining what goals you want to implement and creating a plan to review and measure progress is too.
Your goals should be specific and achievable. Isn’t just saying you want ten new customers in the next six months enough? A great way to measure your progress is to implement SMART Goals. SMART Goals is a simple tool used by companies to formulate an action plan to get results. SMART illustrates the 5 characteristics of an efficient goal:
- S-specific
- M – measurable
- A – achievable
- R – realistic
- T – timely
PERSISTENCE
Persistence is the key to success in business. It is the ability to stand firm in the face of adversity or opposition. Achieving your goals requires constant action. Easier said than done… but you have to stay tenacious and keep going! If you get in the habit of tracking your progress and achievements, you’ll be able to see how much closer you get with each step forward.
For example, instead of setting a goal to increase your internet marketing presence, you may want to list several specific ways you plan to do so, such as:
Podcasting: Delivered through an RSS FEED and available through audio content.
- Podcasting Resources Podcasting Tools
- podcast bunker
- Podcast News
- alley podcast
RSS Feeds: Really Simple Syndication (RSS) is an easy way to send information directly to online subscribers without using email.
- the news is ready
- Technorati
Article Marketing: Short articles written pertaining to the industry related to a website. The articles are syndicated on the web and contain a link back to the website.
- Item Marketer
- EzineArticles
- marketers of ideas
Press Releases: Sent to journalists in order to encourage them to develop articles on the subject.
- web public relations
- 24-7 press release
- I Newswire
PROFIT
Ultimately, people are in business to make a profit. This is extremely important to the health of your business. As a new or growing business, you need to be diligent with your finances. Some experts suggest reviewing your profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow reports monthly. Also, hiring a CPA or bookkeeper can be a good investment.
Assess your current spending and set goals that take into account your short- and long-term financial goals. Here are 4 useful tools:
Goal Tracking Tools
- Goals On Track – This goal tracking software does much more than just assist you in tracking your goals. It will help you prioritize, visualize and stay focused on what matters most.
- 43 Things – An online tool to help you track your goals and motivate you through recommendations from other members.
- Joe’s Goals – An easy to use and extremely efficient online tool that is ideal for yourhaunting your daily goals.
- Lifetick – A web-based software that combines goal setting and achievement like you’ve never seen before through its intuitive and easy-to-understand process.
In closing, goal setting is vital to remaining successful and competitive. Your goals are extremely crucial to your roadmap to business success!