Setting goals - ten steps to success
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.
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Dianne CramptonDianne Crampton is an executive leadership coach, team culture consultant, author and president of TIGERS Success Series, Inc. Dianne has been helping CEO's and Executives connect their employees to their core values and goals for over 20 years using the trademarked TIGERS team culture process, which stands for trust, interdependence, genuineness, empathy, risk and success. To download a free white paper on behaviors that build strong teams and behaviors that will predictably tear them down go here. Dianne's contribution to the 2010 Pfeiffer Consulting Journal (an imprint of John Wiley and Sons Publishers) entitled TIGERS Hearted Teams is available in November 2009. Her new book TIGERS Among Us: 5 Winning Business Team Cultures And Why, Three Creeks Publishing will release in March 2010. To receive publishing discounts, subscribe to the free TigerTracks Newsletter here. - Visit Dianne Crampton's Website |
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Anne BarrAnne 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 |
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Leanne Hoagland-SmithAre your sales where you want them to be? Will you be one of the few who achieves sales or business success or one of the many who have failed to change? Are you tired of being told you are like everyone else? Then you may find my first book on sales of interest. Be the Red Jacket in the Sea of Gray Suits, The Keys to Unlocking Sales available at Amazon or at http://www.processspecialist.com/red-jacket.htm. This book is a reflection of my no-nonsense approach to improving sales to overall business results. If you are truly committed to making sustainable changes, then I can help you secure a positive return on your investment because I focus on executable solutions not telling you the problems you already know you have. From training to corporate (group) coaching to executive one on one coaching, my approach is to assess, create awareness, build a goal driven action plan and then execute. The bottom line question is "Not do you or your employees know it, but do you or they want to do it?" Please call for a free strategy session at 219.759.5601. - Visit Leanne Hoagland-Smith's Website |
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Linda RichardsonLinda Richardson is the Founder and Executive Chairwoman of Richardson, a global sales training and performance improvement company. As a recognized leader in the industry, she has won the coveted Stevie Award for Lifetime Achievement in Sales Excellence and she was identified by Training Industry, Inc. as one of the “Top 20 Most Influential Training Professionals.” Ms. Richardson is credited with the movement to Consultative Selling and is the author of ten books on selling and sales management, including Sales Coaching — Making the Great Leap from Sales Manager to Sales Coach, and Stop Telling, Start Selling. She teaches sales and management at the Wharton Graduate School of the University of Pennsylvania and the Wharton Executive Development Center. Linda is a frequent speaker at industry and client conferences, has been published extensively in industry and training journals, and has been featured in numerous publications, including The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Nation’s Business, Selling Power, Success, and The Conference Board Magazine. Learn more about Richardson's sales training and performance improvement solutions at http://www.richardson.com web - Visit Linda Richardson's Website |
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