We all know that success begins with setting measurable and carefully considered goals. But setting goals is not enough - you need to devise several roadmaps to reaching those goals, and then follow through. Whether your goals are small or big, following these ten steps will help you on your way.
1. Be Decisive
A no-brainer. If you’re going to set successful goals, you need to know exactly WHAT you want and be confident in that decision. Think your goals through - make sure you know WHY you want what you do, and think about HOW to best achive it.
2. Stay Focused
It’s way too easy to get distracted and run off-course. There are simply too many demands on our time… but that’s the way of life we’ve chosen in running a business. We need to prioritize, plan and organize our time so that our goals do not get shifted to the back burner.
3. Don’t Fear Failure
Yes, failure sucks. But it’s often a necessary part of growth and progress, and failure can be an excellent (albeit harsh) teacher. Think about possible roadblocks that may appear in your path, and plan on how to redirect resources and ultimately grow from the experience.
4. Write it Down
You’re a smart person. And you probably have a decent memory… but it’s not just about remembering your goals. There’s something about having it in writing that causes us to try twice as hard to check it off the list. Write your goals down, and keep that piece of paper or file somewhere visible. That way it’s always there, not just in the back of your mind, but in your workspace, gently keeping you on target.
5. Plan
Another no-brainer, but shockingly a frequently overlooked step. Implusively driving through the country without a map can be fun, but odds are you won’t make it to your destination in time (or at all). The old adage holds true: “if you fail to plan, you plan to fail”
6. Don’t Go it Alone
We’re social creatures… even those of us who are more quiet and introverted rely on some element of social support to get us through our daily lives. Share your goals with people who you know will support you when you need it, or who can offer wisdom and advice that may help you get there with less scrapes and bruises in the end.
7. DO Something
You can’t run a marathon sitting on the sofa - get one foot in front of the other and take purposeful action, or you’ll never get there. It’s a clicheed bit of advice, but it’s true: you need to be proactive.
8. Pat Yourself on the Back
You’re not in a twelve step program (or maybe you are, in which case you know all this)… but it’s great advice. When you accomplish some small success, don’t berate yourself for not having achieved more… instead reward yourself for your hard work, focus and persistence. Reward works much more effectively than punishment. Besides, it’s more fun.
9. Audit Your Expectations
The only true constant in life is change. Take a critical look at your plans on a regular basis, and if current circumstances warrant a change of plan, then do it. If your plan becomes obsolete or outdated, it will no longer get you where you want to go.
10. Keep Your Integrity
You’re a person of your word. You’ve committed to doing this thing, and you’re going to follow through. Excuses will present themselves along the way, but like a dieter after an enormous binge, you will lose respect for yourself if you give in. Stay on course, reach your goals, keep your promises and maintain your integrity.
Reaching your goals isn’t all that complicated; all it takes is dedication, forethought, and commitment.
Setting goals - ten steps to success - To learn more about this author, visit Chanie Pritchard's Website.
Like this article? Share it with your friends
 |
Related Businesses - Evan Elite Authors |
|
Accessible Business Consultants
Dave Turkin, President, of Accessible Business Consultants is a full service business consultant that has over 32 years of experience working with small-medium size businesses. Dave has designed and implemented numerous business and marketing plans, designed internal programs for accounting and operational procedures. He has analyzed businesses and prepared strategic plans setting budgets for growth, expansion and business restructuring.
He currently sits on the Board of Directors of various corporations as an advisor. For many years he has been the Business Coach to many executives offering advice and guidance from old and established companies as well as new companies just getting started.
Dave has the ability to analyze a business quickly and get a strong indication as to the necessary steps to improve operations, productivity and profitability. - Visit Accessible Business Consultants's Website |
|
Anne Barr
Anne Barr has over 26 years experience in sales and marketing, six years as a franchisee. She has assisted over 367 business owners and purchasers to achieve their goals in career change, transition and exit strategy. She holds the designation of Certified Franchise Executive from the International Franchise Association, Certified Business Intermediary from the International Business Brokers Association and Board Certified Broker from the Texas Association of Business Brokers. Anne is active in professional organizations,
networking groups and volunteers for non-profit entities. As owner/operator of four successful businesses, Anne has proven people skills and enjoys helping clients find the right "fit" in business
ownership. Visit www.FranchiseOpportunitySpecialist.com for more information about me and my company. - Visit Anne Barr's Website |
|
Dianne Crampton
Dianne Crampton is an Executive Leadership Coach and Team Building Consultant and creator of the TIGERS team development model. For the past twenty years she has helped leaders and teams achieve goals with high levels of collaboration and teamwork.
Crampton is a published author. Her contribution to Working Together: Diversity As Opportunity was endorsed by Stephen Covey. She has written for trade magazines. Merrill Lynch nominated her business for Inc. Magazine’s regional small business and entrepreneurial awards. Her work with Native Americans was recognized at a United Nations sponsored conference in 1994.
The TIGERS model passed two rigorous validation studies in 1992 and 1994. The TIGERS Survey is able to measure and track team development over time.
Dianne is also the creator and distributor of the TIGERS Team Wheel game. This game helps groups identify behaviors that build collaborative groups and behaviors that cause conflict, morale problems, production failures, and misunderstandings.
For more information, or to subscribe to TigerTracks, a free monthly leadership and team newsletter go to http://www.corevalues.com - Visit Dianne Crampton's Website |
|
Leanne Hoagland-Smith
Are your sales where you want them to be? Will you be one of the few who achieves sales success or one of the many who have failed to change? So what are you doing to change those results? Let’s be honest, with companies moving globally and at lightening speeds, the traditional business solutions are outdated and dead. My approach moves your business out of its comfort zone and secures your competitive advantage now. If you are seeking to increase sales, build customer loyalty, create a culture of great attitudes or just achieve some sleep filled nights, then we should talk because my clients have experienced exactly those types of results. Learn more about customer loyalty at http://www.processspecialist.com/customer-loyalty.htm Give me a call at 219.759.5601 for a free strategy session. P.S. If you are seeking a motivational speaker, sales trainer or small business expert that will leave your audience smiling and remembering, please feel free to contact me at 219.759.5601. - Visit Leanne Hoagland-Smith's Website |
|
The Evan Elite Authors program is currently in beta phase. For details please contact us.
|
|
|
Chanie Pritchard
(Visit Chanie's Website)
Chanie Pritchard is president and CEO of
Sage Media Design, a premier commercial
graphic design studio based in Ottawa,
Canada. With clients running the gamut
from individual entrepreneurs to corporate
goliaths, Sage provides a highly
personalized suite of services:
Branding/Rebranding and Corporate Identity
materials, Retail Artworking and Product
Packaging Design, Publication Layout and
Design, Marketing Collateral, Print and
Online Advertising, General Design for
Print, and of course, Web Design. An
extensive public portfolio is available
for review at www.sagemedia.c
a
|
|
|
|
![[Get Copyright Permissions]](http://license.icopyright.net/images/icopy-w.gif){kind=small}
