Entrepreneurs excel at inventing new ideas. We are not always great at following through on our thoughts and making them a reality. Many business owners are enamored with a project or idea but quickly feel overwhelmed when it comes to executing. They give up, and they don’t reap the rewards that they so desperately sought.
Overwhelm can lead to paralysis, unfinished projects, and even paralysis. This should not be a problem! There is a better way to reach your goals. These five steps will help you reach your goals and make your small business more successful.
1. S.M.A.R.T. Goals.
Setting a goal is the first step in achieving any goal. However, it is essential to ensure that the goals you create are not random or ambiguous. S.M.A.R.T. goals are those that get achieved. :
* Specific – Specificity refers to answering the questions who, what, and where. Use specific numbers.
* Measurable – How do you know if you’re successful? Your criteria for success.
* Realistic – To make a goal achievable, you have to be willing and able to work towards it. Although your dream may seem difficult or impossible, it must be possible.
* Relevant – The goal must be meaningful to you. This should be the driving force behind your business. Don’t forget your big WHY!. It is crucial to understand why you are trying to achieve a goal. Take a look at the last project that you completed. What did it feel like? Think about how you felt when things got difficult or stuck. When the project is completed, imagine how you will feel. This feeling will become part of your why.
* Timely – Choose the date that you want to reach your goal.
2. Reverse engineer your goals.
Break down big goals into small steps. You can work backward from the deadline to identify the steps required. If you are aiming to make $100,000 in a year, then break it down into monthly sales goals. To reach that goal, how many clients will you need to work with each week? How many prospects will you need to contact the clients you desire?
3. Identify the resources that you require.
You will need to make a list of all the things you need in order to achieve your goal. What do you already have? You can make arrangements to purchase any knowledge, tools, software, or staff that you don’t have. To free up your time, delegate or outsource tasks so you can focus on the things that matter most. Open to creative ideas and new ways to access other resources.
4. Plan time for tasks
What time will each step take you? Many people underestimate or overestimate the amount of time required to complete each task. You should be realistic about how long it takes to complete each task. Be prepared to add some extra time for any unexpected challenges. You will get closer to your goals as you work towards them.
Once you have determined the time required for each step, schedule an appointment in your calendar to finish it. These appointments are final. These appointments should be treated as if they were a meeting with your BEST customer.
5. Accountability
Without making a commitment, you can’t reach your goals. If you want to keep on track, you need to be accountable to someone else than yourself. A partner in accountability will remind you what you have committed to and (nicely) make you responsible for any excuses you make. To be honest with yourself, schedule short meetings with your accountability partner so that you can stay focused on your results.
Your ideas are valuable in terms of the potential revenue they can generate and how you can help more people. Do not let overwhelm or procrastination stop you from achieving your goals. You can reach your SMART goals with realistic planning, consistent scheduling, and strong accountability. You will see your business grow if you make a commitment to cultivating new habits today.
Sydni, a tech-savvy coach known as “The Smart Simple Market Coach,” uses a results-oriented, “how-to” approach to implement simple strategies that allow service professionals to create profitable businesses where they can live the life they want.