A Goal Plan Thats Designed to Ensure Success
A Goal Plan Thats Designed to Ensure Success
I used to make them every year. But like most people, I made them unrealistic and immeasurable, and often tried to achieve too much too fast. Then a few months into the New Year I’d realize I’d already missed at least one of my resolutions, and shortly thereafter, would simply forget the rest.
But about five years ago, I learned a lesson from Michael Masterson when I first started working with AWAI that changed everything. And I’m not longer an “oh well, maybe next year” kind of gal.
Instead of making New Year’s resolutions … I now set goals.
Rather than making empty general resolutions like I’m going to drink less, make more money, and exercise more; I’ve learned to develop an actual plan that’s designed to ensure I succeed. And you can too.
Instead of banking your success as a web writer on a New Year’s resolution, I’d like you to set a career-building goal to get you to that next level – whatever that “next level” is for you …
If you’re just staring out, maybe your goal will be to land your first paying client …
If you’ve successfully launched your web writing business, maybe your goal will be to land ten new clients …
Or maybe it will be to clear the six-figure mark, so that you can quit your full-time job.
Whatever it is, make sure your goal meets the following four criteria:
It must be specific …
Instead of setting a goal to make a lot of money from your web copy, set a goal to land 5 clients worth at least $20K each.
It must be actionable …
Winning $100K in Vegas is not an actionable goal. But winning enough projects to bill $100K in fees is.
It must be time-oriented …
While landing five clients worth $20K each is a good goal … landing five clients worth $20K each by October 31st is a better one.
It must be realistic …
Landing five clients worth $20K by October 31st may be an aggressive goal, but it’s possible. Landing those same five clients by January 31st is not.
Once you have a goal that meets all four criteria, write it down. According to successful people like Michael Masterson and Brian Tracy, this one simple step can spell the difference between achieving your goal, and failing completely.
Next break that goal down into small objectives, that each take you one step closer to your goal. Write the objectives in the order they need to be completed, and assign a deadline to each one.
Let’s say your goal was to land five paying clients by August 31, 2008. Your first couple objectives may look like this:
Objective 1: Complete phase one of my web copy training by February 28th.
Objective 2: Send out 150 solicitations for prospective clients by March 31st.
Objective 3: Write on spec for a client in each of the web areas I target by April 15th.
So on and so forth.
Then, break each of these objectives down into even smaller measurable tasks. Make sure you specify exactly what needs to be done, and once again assign a time frame.
Using the same example, let’s say you plan to specialize in writing website content and SEO (search engine optimization) copy, and area about half way through Nick Usborne’s Million-Dollar Secrets for Online Copywriting. You may break the first objective like this:
January 1-11, read pages 171-239 of the Usborne program and complete the exercises.
January 12–18, finish the Usborne program. Read pages 241-273 and complete the exercises.
January 19- 31, start researching potential web clients, and collect all relevant contact data. Write my self-promotion letter selling my website copy services, and practice my new web skills on spec assignments offered by AWAI and my own copywriting website.
February 1-14, learn how to write SEO copy by watching Heather Lloyd-Martin’s SEO Copywriting Success DVD homestudy program, and practice writing SEO copy on my copywriting website.
February 15-18, attend the Web Copywriting Intensive in Austin, Texas, learn the skills needed to be a working web copy specialist, and submit at least one of the spec assignments to Rebecca Matter.
February 19-28, contact 50 potential clients and offer my web copy services.
You’ll want to create a tracking system so that you can easily keep track of these tasks. I personally like to use an 8 ½ X 11 calendar that when opened, lays flat on my desk and shows me a month at a time. One of AWAI’s Marketers, Tammy Lawman, prefers to keep a single word document that she updates daily.
Whatever you choose, make sure you can access it easily. Then check your tasks daily, and your objectives monthly to make sure you are staying on task. If you need to adjust any deadlines, go ahead. But don’t let yourself make excuses for not sticking to your plan.
So what goal will you achieve in 2009?
Take 30 minutes right now, and write it down along with the objectives it will take to achieve it. Remember to be specific and realistic. And then get ready to achieve it!
A Goal Plan Thats Designed to Ensure Success - To learn more about this author, visit AWAI’s The Golden Thread 's Website.
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Do you make New Year’s resolutions?
I used to make them every year. But like most people, I made them unrealistic and immeasurable, and often tried to achieve too much too fast. Then a few months into the New Year I’d realize I’d already missed at least one of my resolutions, and shortly thereafter, would simply forget the rest.
But about five years ago, I learned a lesson from Michael Masterson when I first started working with AWAI that changed everything. And I’m not longer an “oh well, maybe next year” kind of gal.
Instead of making New Year’s resolutions … I now set goals.
Rather than making empty general resolutions like I’m going to drink less, make more money, and exercise more; I’ve learned to develop an actual plan that’s designed to ensure I succeed. And you can too.
Instead of banking your success as a web writer on a New Year’s resolution, I’d like you to set a career-building goal to get you to that next level – whatever that “next level” is for you …
If you’re just staring out, maybe your goal will be to land your first paying client …
If you’ve successfully launched your web writing business, maybe your goal will be to land ten new clients …
Or maybe it will be to clear the six-figure mark, so that you can quit your full-time job.
Whatever it is, make sure your goal meets the following four criteria:
It must be specific …
Instead of setting a goal to make a lot of money from your web copy, set a goal to land 5 clients worth at least $20K each.
It must be actionable …
Winning $100K in Vegas is not an actionable goal. But winning enough projects to bill $100K in fees is.
It must be time-oriented …
While landing five clients worth $20K each is a good goal … landing five clients worth $20K each by October 31st is a better one.
It must be realistic …
Landing five clients worth $20K by October 31st may be an aggressive goal, but it’s possible. Landing those same five clients by January 31st is not.
Once you have a goal that meets all four criteria, write it down. According to successful people like Michael Masterson and Brian Tracy, this one simple step can spell the difference between achieving your goal, and failing completely.
Next break that goal down into small objectives, that each take you one step closer to your goal. Write the objectives in the order they need to be completed, and assign a deadline to each one.
Let’s say your goal was to land five paying clients by August 31, 2008. Your first couple objectives may look like this:
Objective 1: Complete phase one of my web copy training by February 28th.
Objective 2: Send out 150 solicitations for prospective clients by March 31st.
Objective 3: Write on spec for a client in each of the web areas I target by April 15th.
So on and so forth.
Then, break each of these objectives down into even smaller measurable tasks. Make sure you specify exactly what needs to be done, and once again assign a time frame.
Using the same example, let’s say you plan to specialize in writing website content and SEO (search engine optimization) copy, and area about half way through Nick Usborne’s Million-Dollar Secrets for Online Copywriting. You may break the first objective like this:
January 1-11, read pages 171-239 of the Usborne program and complete the exercises.
January 12–18, finish the Usborne program. Read pages 241-273 and complete the exercises.
January 19- 31, start researching potential web clients, and collect all relevant contact data. Write my self-promotion letter selling my website copy services, and practice my new web skills on spec assignments offered by AWAI and my own copywriting website.
February 1-14, learn how to write SEO copy by watching Heather Lloyd-Martin’s SEO Copywriting Success DVD homestudy program, and practice writing SEO copy on my copywriting website.
February 15-18, attend the Web Copywriting Intensive in Austin, Texas, learn the skills needed to be a working web copy specialist, and submit at least one of the spec assignments to Rebecca Matter.
February 19-28, contact 50 potential clients and offer my web copy services.
You’ll want to create a tracking system so that you can easily keep track of these tasks. I personally like to use an 8 ½ X 11 calendar that when opened, lays flat on my desk and shows me a month at a time. One of AWAI’s Marketers, Tammy Lawman, prefers to keep a single word document that she updates daily.
Whatever you choose, make sure you can access it easily. Then check your tasks daily, and your objectives monthly to make sure you are staying on task. If you need to adjust any deadlines, go ahead. But don’t let yourself make excuses for not sticking to your plan.
So what goal will you achieve in 2009?
Take 30 minutes right now, and write it down along with the objectives it will take to achieve it. Remember to be specific and realistic. And then get ready to achieve it!
A Goal Plan Thats Designed to Ensure Success - To learn more about this author, visit AWAI’s The Golden Thread '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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John BrennanJohn Brennan Ed.D. Dr. Brennan is President of Interpersonal Development, LLC, a training and development firm. Interpersonal Development has provided sales training and coaching to more than 3,000 sales reps from over 100 companies. A native of Australia, Dr. Brennan received his doctorate from the University of Rochester. His dissertation researched the effectiveness of Behavioral Modeling Technology in training people in interpersonal skills. While he has spent most of his career designing or delivering training, he was also a Vice-President of Sales of a training and development franchise with operations in 25 markets. Dr. Brennan has designed and delivered sales training in North America, Asia, Europe, Australia and the Middle East. He has been a guest speaker at numerous national and regional professional conferences. When Microsoft wanted Best Practices articles on sales for their web site, they called Dr. Brennan. The results are at http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/FX011387391033.aspx His firm’s clients have included Volvo, The Prudential, Merrill Lynch, Eastman Kodak, Gannett, Equifax Europe, the Economist Group and countless small businesses. - Visit John Brennan's Website |
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David AchesonDavid Acheson is the founder of DCJA Consultancy. DCJA Consultancy is a management consultancy business specialising in B2B sales consultancy. They offer bespoke and packaged sales consultancy including Sales Optimisation Review, Interim Sales Management, Sales & Marketing Review, 1:1 Sales & Management Staff Analysis, Management Training, Solution Sales Training, Creation of New Pay Plan, KPI's, run Customer Feedback Campaigns, assist with Recruitment, Coaching, Appraisals and set up Strategic Marketing Campaigns. David spent his early career in accountancy and then moved into sales in 1982, working in Office Equipment, IT, Advertising, Training, Outsourcing and Consultancy. He has held many Senior Positions in SMBs and Global Organisations including Head of Sales Operations & Head of Business Development. His knowledge, skills and great experience of the Sales Industry has led to David making keynote speeches and running educational sessions to key businesses through organisations including The Chamber of Commerce and Business Link. - Visit David Acheson'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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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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