Tweet

Goals are Dreams with Deadlines: How Goal Clarity Will Get You Where You Want

Guest post by: Nancy Bleeke

Article Overview: Recently, many of my “students” have told me they CAN’T set goals because everything is changing and they aren’t sure what tomorrow holds. Changing economies is exactly WHY we should set goals! Here is an easy 5-step process to make goal clarity efficient and successful.

Goals are Dreams with Deadlines: How Goal Clarity Will Get You Where You Want

Recently, many of my "students" have told me they CAN'T set goals because everything is changing and they aren't sure what tomorrow holds. Changing economies is exactly WHY we should set goals!

To start thinking about goals, reflect for a moment on this quote by Diane Scharf Hunt..."Goals are dreams with deadlines."

Who couldn't use a little dreaming today? And once we know our dreams, we need to capture them into specific, written and measurable goals. That is what goal clarity is...having specific, written and measurable outcomes that we are working toward. And we can make this easier by following a 5-step process to make it efficient and successful.

The following is a goal clarity strengthening process to implement right now...really, RIGHT now. Take out a piece of paper and pen and make 5 columns on the page for your own Goal Planner.

1. In the left column write at least 5 things you want to happen in the next 60 days. These are outcomes like "Make one new sales appointment each work day." or "Close $___ in business each week." These are your goal statements.

A caution: Review the outcomes for measurability and specificity to see whether you can identify whether it is accomplished or not. For example, if your goal is "More time with my family," be specific about what that looks/feels like. Does it mean a certain amount of time each night or weekend? Certain activities completed together? "I will eat dinner with my family 3 times each week," allows me to know whether I have achieved this or not.

2. Look at each statement and identify the actions needed to take to get there. Write 2-3 actions that will move you toward each outcome in the 2nd column.

3. Write a specific time/date when you will take that action in the 3rd column. Is it each day? Week? How often? A date is another checkpoint on the road to success.

4. Next, identify your reward for completing those actions or the goal. Think through the BENEFIT of completing the action that leads you to the goal or outcome. Will you sleep better? Will there be self-satisfaction? Will it be a treat like a special coffee or candy? Be prepared to "reward" yourself when you have completed the action/outcome. Write these in the 4th column.

5. And in the 5th column write the name of a stakeholder for this goal or outcome. A stakeholder is someone who will care about this outcome - it might be a manager, a spouse, a colleague, a friend. You may have different stakeholders for each goal.

Finished? Congratulations! Look at this paper - you have at least 5 goals and a plan of action for the next 60 days to get there!

What's next? Take action! Share each goal with your stakeholder for that goal. Your stakeholders may be able to:

• Clarify the outcome with you to make sure it is specific enough for you to know whether you reach it or not.
• Identify other actions that can get you there quicker or easier.
• Help you in some way to achieve the goal.
• Celebrate your progress and ultimate success!
• Add accountability.

After your stakeholder is ready to stand by your side, it's all up to you. The 5 steps to goal clarity will allow you to progress where you want - regardless of changing market conditions. It starts today with the action you take!

What are some of the goals you've set for yourself? Let us know in the Comments section.

Related Articles
  Selling And Goal Setting; Setting Sales Goals That Actually Work
  Foresight is 20/20 - How to Sharpen the Clarity of Your Focus
  Clarity on Your Needs and Your Life Purpose
  Behavioral GoalSetting for Success
  Business Goal Setting is More About Your Own Goal Achievement and Your Own Action Plan For Success
  What is the Single Biggest Motivator for Top Salespeople?
  Reaching Your Small Business Sales And Marketing Goals
  Goal Epidemic
  How to Set Goals
  Achieve Your Dreams And Never Ever Give Up
  Dream Your Way to A Successful Life
  Setting Goals for your Home Based Business
  The Secret to Living Your Dreams: Five Techniques to Living Your Dreams!
  Close The Gap!
  For Business Success Be Sure That You Set Realistic and Achievable Goals
  Ten of My Favorite Quotes About Goals
  What are goals and how do I make goals work for me?
  Mistakes to Avoid When Setting Goals for Your Internet Based Business
  Do You Truly Want to Achieve Your Goals Badly Enough?
  How To Set Goals and Achieve Them

Article Tags: better sales meetings, sales booster, sales managers training, sales meeting ideas, sales professionals training, sales team training, sales training, sales workshops
Referred by: http://www.michelepw.com/



Related Forum Posts
Re: Set goals that motivate you! - Sounds simple enough when you take it at face value, but what are goals? Are these short term or long term Goals, Are theses goal realistic, achievable? How to make them motivating Goals, What is motivation? Is motivation the same for all of us Hmm so many questions, so few answers. must a an article in this somewhere Btw (by the way) GT, nice Blog
Re: Clarity Trumps Persuasion - Jeff, Thanks, great stuff !!! Clarity or "KEEP IT SIMPLE" is probably the best advice anyone can ever give or get when involved in any business or personal situation. Over 30 years of manufacturing ladies apparel has taught me two critical business lessons: 1-You will never get a 100% perfect outcome so In the BEGINNING,take your time, exhaust all your resources and energy and plan, plan, plan. . . If it STARTS off right it you'll get close to the desired outcome. 2-Keep it simple I now will add "Clarity" to my formula for success. CLARITY AND KEEPING IT SIMPLE BREEDS SUCCESS . . . . I know the advice above is simple but isn't that what it's all about. Thanks Ringo, This information not only was great for my website but it reminded me that "keeping it simple and clear" got me and my teams through some wicked situations Best wishes Barry
Re: What are your January Goals? - Here's a quick update on mine: Goal #1: Hire New Writer = done - Post job description on oDesk - Set up trial job - Pick top candidate Goal #2: Follow up with Clients = done - Create and send quarterly report - Touch base with last year's clients - Follow up with 4 connectors Goal #3: PERSONAL = about 70% done on the month - Do something nice for my wife each week - Exercise 4 times per week - Daily stretch - want to touch my toes
Re: Clarity Trumps Persuasion - Wow, I would really recommend everyone to go through the presentation. It's not so much that it's new information, but their presentation simply reaffirms in a concise way what we know about marketing and sales conversion. Clarity trumps persuasion indeed!
Re: Alexa Ranking Goals - Thanks GT! This is still the right post for Alexa Goals but everything else can go to Kevin's Mastermind post! Cheers!


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

Adjusting Your World

Work at Home Moms and Their Bad Rap?

Executive Blind Spots

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.