How many times have you set a goal and not met it? It has happened to all of us because we don’t have a strategy to meet clearly defined goals. We say we want to lose weight when we really want to lost 20 pounds in the next six months by eating healthy and working out three times a week. How can we define and reach goals? I have a simple formula.
Goal Setting Made Simple
Before defining your goals, brainstorm ideas of what you want to accomplish in the following areas of your life: Spiritual, Family, Personal, Business and Financial. Brainstorm each area as it’s important to look at your life as a whole when goal setting. From time to time, you will notice your focus is primarily in one area and that’s okay. We aren’t looking to achieve balance, we want to master the act of balancing. I have a goal for each area at all times. They may not get equal attention, but it keeps me from ignoring important parts of my life.
Here are three simple steps for setting goals:
- Define Your Goal
- Know the Why
- Strategies to Reach Your Goal
Define Your Goal
What do you want? Be specific about what you want to accomplish. Make it measurable within a specific timeframe.
Goal: Increase business income.
The problem with this goal? You could increase income by $1 and your goal is accomplished but is that really what you want to do? Probably not.
Better Goal : increase business income by 10% per month starting August 1st. This is a more attainable goal because it is a measurable and specific within a timeframe.
Know The Benefit
Why is this goal important? If you want to increase income by 10% per month, why is that important? Maybe you’re saving to make a big purchase or want to quit your day job.
Whatever your reason, be committed to the goal. You’re more likely to stay motivated and if you lose momentum, remember why you want it. That will inspire you to get you motivated again.
Strategies to Reach Your Goal
How will you reach your goal? Staying motivated to meet a goal is easier when you have strategies in place. For simple goal setting, set 2-3 strategies and that’s it.
Increase income by 10% per month by attending weekly networking events, one speaking engagement per month, generate 10 warm leads per month through your website and in-person networking, add one new client per month, increase pricing by 10% for new clients, add a new product…the possibilities are endless and the strategy is up to you!
Goal setting made simple looks like this:
Goal (What)- To increase business income by 10% per month starting August 1st.
Benefit (Why)- I can pay cash for the Disney Cruise in December and hire an assistant.
Strategies (How)- Attend 3 networking events monthly, connect with 5 people per event.
Lead 1 workshop per month in target market.
Connect with 5 people daily via phone or personal note cards.
Goal setting can be fun! You are committing to create things in your life you want, so have fun with it. Do what feels right. If it feels forced, lighten things up. There is no right or wrong way to set and achieve goals. When you do this the “right” way for you, you will feel excited, motivated and full of anticipation. When those feelings are present, I know I’m in alignment with my goals
Decide what you want, know why it’s important, and develop a strategy to reach your well-defined goal. If you’re struggling to define or reach your goals, call me, Lauren Holder, at 602-228-1019 or email lauren@myfocusnowcoach.com.